What is Fastest Commute from North Potomac/Gaithersburg to DC??

[Anonymous]

We are moving in a couple of weeks to North Potomac and are wondering what is the fastest commute to DC? We'll be living off of Muddy Branch Road. I work in southwest DC and my husband works in downtown northwest DC. If driving, which route is quickest and if you take public transportation - which is faster MARC or metro? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Did you buy a house and try to investigate this before making your choice? I don't know about the MARC, but if you're able to get a slot, you can park at Shady Grove station and take the Metro down. I think it takes about 40 minutes to get to Dupont Circle, but depends on time of day, which station you're going to, etc.

[Anonymous]

You can get stuck in traffic on 270, and/or River Road to Wisconsin Ave. But if there are 2 of you, you can carpool down 270 to 495 and exit onto Connecticut Ave and sit in traffic there, or if you're feeling lucky, try to take the GW parkway or Clara Barton/MacArthur Blvd into DC. FYI I lived in central DC (Shaw) and reverse commuted to North Bethesda, and on a very, very good day it would take me 40 minutes, but on a bad day, about an hour and 15 minutes. From North Bethesda/Old Georgetown Road. I'd primarily use the 270 spur, military road, and CT ave, or a combination, plus lots of back ways through DC to avoid the congested areas. Get a good map.

You can also take the train from Shady Grove, but it does fill up quickly, and early. Better think about switching your work schedule to avoid the worst of rush hour whether you drive or take the train.

[Anonymous]

You can go the back way through North Potomac/Potomac. Down Travillah to Democracy (different name, it's escaping me right now), takes you right out behind Mont Mall or you can hop on Falls and hit 495. Easy Peasy.

[Anonymous]

You can also take 370 t0 Crabbs Branch, Crabbs Branch to Gude, Gude to Connect and take that in.

[Anonymous]

If you can, try to leave home before 6:45 am or after 8:30 am. In between those times, every route is really crowded and your commute time will double.

[Anonymous]

irst you hae to admit the problem like an alcoholic does. You live in Gaithersburg. Now that we have that out of the way, you moved to an area that sucks for driving and taking Metro into DC

When you are moving, beofr eyou buy the house, stay in a hotel near the house and drive the new commute at the time you expect to leave each day.

[Anonymous]

Welcome, neighbor. I live in Stonebridge. We take the Metro from Shady Grove.

[Anonymous]

I believe there is a MARC train off Rt 118 in Germantown. There is also a commuter parking lot right off Quince Orchard Road (between Clopper and 355, almost under 270). A bus will take you to the metro. When we lived there my DH parked either there or at the Twinbrook Station - he would take Great Seneca to Darnestown to Glen which turns into Wootton Pkwy, then cruise into Twinbrook by way of Crawford to Ardennes.

Or - 270S - 495W (to VA) and drive in via the GW Pkwy.
Or - 270S - Montrose East - Montrose East staying in the right lanes so that you go to the new Montrose Pkwy, take that cross under 355 - turn right on Nebel Street. Nebel to the street after Old G-Town Road (can't recall the name). turn right and park at the White flint metro. The drive is pretty fast (5-10 minutes) once you get off 270S.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks a bunch! These responses are so helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:irst you hae to admit the problem like an alcoholic does. You live in Gaithersburg.

Hater!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:irst you hae to admit the problem like an alcoholic does. You live in Gaithersburg.

Hater!

Seriously! At least here in Gaithersburg, we know how to spell! (oh god, now I'm THAT poster)

OP, the MARC station at North Summit Ave is actually not that far from you. The only issue with MARC is that it goes to Union Station, and then you have to get from there to wherever your final destination is. If it's near there, great. If not, metro from Shady Grove is pretty good - I usually get there around 9 and unless there are a ton of spots out because of snow, I never have problems parking.