Commute from Courthouse to Fairfax??? (Falls Church, Seven Corners: construction, living in, vs.)

[giantsfan86]

Hi all,

I'm considering living in courthouse and commuting to Fairfax everyday. I realize I have the option of the metro but how is it by car? I would be driving west on route 50 or lee hwy. Can anyone give me a description of how these roads are during rush hour? Thank goodness it will be somewhat of a reverse commute.

Thanks!

[OrangeFish]

Where in Fairfax? Fairfax City? Out by Fair Oaks/Fair Lakes?

[giantsfan86]

I believe the area is Fairlee? My employer is located on Lee hwy itself.

[OrangeFish]

I suggest testing it out, but I think you'd be better off taking 29 vs. 50. When I did a similar commute in the past (Ballston to Nutley & Lee) I found that 29/Lee Hwy had better traffic movement than the log jam that is Rt 50. However, that was before all the construction around Gallows and 29.

I also suggest making your way to 29 via Washington Blvd so you can avoid the Wilson Blvd/7 Corner madness. Depending upon your work hours/commute time, I'd think you are looking at roughly a 30 - 40 minute ride.

[giantsfan86]

Thanks a lot, you've been a huge help.

[bmwguydc]

It's a relatively easy commute in the morning, and 50 can be fine, though sometimes between Falls Church and Fairview Park there can be traffic in the morning, due to light timing. You could always branch off Route 50 at Seven Corners, take Hillwood to Washington Street/Lee Highway and avoid the problem areas, though there are sometimes delays later in the morning due to road construction at 495. Or, you could take Wilson to Seven Corners and then Hillwood to Lee Highway.

66 can work, too, but there is slow traffic during some hours in the morning, around Glebe, which I have gotten stuck in myself, though I had to divert to Brooklyn Bagels en route -- hence it was a delay that was delicious. An extra few minutes on either side can make a difference outbound, but it's not a horrible delay, compared to the inbound traffic. That said, I find that 50/29/Wilson can move in the morning as well, but watch your speed on Lee Highway/Washington in Falls Church, and especially on Hillwood if you take that route.

[normie]

Sounds like we need to add this to our alternate routes thread. Bmwguy, you are the guru of alternate commutes! No matter where it is, you always seem to know the best way to get there. I'v tried your suggestions and they're great.