Driving from DC to Loudoun County in rush hour: How long would it take?

[BeachSkin]

I'm thinking of accepting a job in Northern Virginia. I'd prefer city living to the suburbs, though. Do you think I'd run into much traffic commuting from Washington to the Leesburg area? Or would most of it be heading in the opposite direction?

[Destino]

Most would be heading in the opposite direction. Normally when I'm considering accepting a new position I drive there during rush hour to see what to expect. Try it.

I do have to say though, DC to Leesburg with no traffic is still a pretty long drive.

[Popeman38]

Without traffic, you are looking at a minimum drive of 45 minutes. Yes, most traffic will be going in the opposite direction but you will still hit slow spots just based on the sheer volume on the road. Add to this the construction projects underway or soon to be in the RTE 28 & 7 corridors and you have some days were bothways is bumber to bumper. If you prefer "city living" you could try to find something around Reston Town Center or in Tysons Corner. Both of those spots would cut your commute in half. It ain't downtown, but everything you need is within walking distance.


And if you have an eye towards the future, OneLoudoun at the intersection of Rte 7 & Loudound County Parkway had the groundbreaking last week. In about 4 years, it should be like a Reston Town Center environment. And there will be international companies located in the World Trade Center that will be there (as will the Loudound County Govt Center most likely).

All will be located less than 1/4 mile from my front door. Counting the days down till my property value starts to leap upwards. My neighborhood has already started inching upwards in anticipation. Can't wait to sell at the peak......

[The_cavalierman]

You would be going against the traffic but it depends on where in Loudoun you are going and the times you are traveling.

[Enter Apotheosis]

I'm thinking of accepting a job in Northern Virginia. I'd prefer city living to the suburbs, though. Do you think I'd run into much traffic commuting from Washington to the Leesburg area? Or would most of it be heading in the opposite direction?

There will still be a bunch of traffic regardless... just not as much as there is going in the opposite direction.

What route would you plan to take? That'll tell us a lot more about expected travel times and you might even hear of a shortcut or two.

[rdsknbill]

My guess is that travel time would be about a month..... round trip of course.

[Lombardi's_kid_brother]

It depends on where you are in Leesburg. 7 in Leesburg has about 150 traffic lights on it. So, even in no traffic, it might take 10 to 15 minutes to get through them all.

It also depends where in the city you live.

[Corcaigh]

Like others have said, try driving it. The direct route using I-66 and the toll road/Grrenway is about 35 miles each way.

My guess is that driving from DC to Leesburg on the Greenway/Toll Road, you will spend about 35-40 minutes each way on the Toll Road (and I66) and $8 (approx) each day. Traveling on other roads could take a lot longer - at least another 30 minutes each way. Route 7 has many, many lights as well as slow traffic.

If you don't mind the cost, the question is how long it would take from your home to the toll road, and then once you exit the toll road.

Maybe look at places like Reston or Tysons Corner to live; it's not 'big city urban' but much of NoVa is a lot more than just suburbs with single family homes and townhouses.

[jbooma]

I'm thinking of accepting a job in Northern Virginia. I'd prefer city living to the suburbs, though. Do you think I'd run into much traffic commuting from Washington to the Leesburg area? Or would most of it be heading in the opposite direction?

It will take more then 45 minutes getting there. Going home at night I would say a good 1:30 depends of course where in DC and which route you take.

Trying to get to 66 from the Toll Road is a parking lot, even in the afternoon.

[Corcaigh]

It will stake more then 45 minutes getting there. Going home at night I would say a good 1:30 depends of course where in DC and which route you take.

Trying to get to 66 from the Toll Road is a parking lot, even in the afternoon.

That's true. While the Toll Road/Greenway isn't bad, I-66 is a disaster in the afternoon.

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

Going against traffic. You'll be straight.

[skinfan2k]

wow u guys dont any short cuts. from hunter mill rd or reston town center, i can get to the american legion bridge in 15 mins, without using the highway

[ntotoro]

Going from DC to Leesburg, you're going against traffic, but you'll still hit some rough spots, especially on the way home. If you use 66 both ways, it'll get slow. There are still plenty of cars on the road and lights are synced to make sure you'll never get anywhere.

[ntotoro]

That's true. While the Toll Road/Greenway isn't bad, I-66 is a disaster in the afternoon.

66 West in the AM and 66 East in the evening can both be nightmares. It doesn't take much.

66 East between 9:00-10:00 and 66 West between 18:30 and 20:00 or so can be just as bad.

[mrdoctor]

if you are i would take the toll road
66 will be stop and go, and if you go toll road its nice to use that HOV lane from 4:30-6:00 i think it is.

rt. 7 will be ugly