Commuting from DC to Annapolis via metro/driving combo?

[Anonymous]

I live in DC and am starting a job in Annapolis in two weeks. I've tested the drive a few times, and it has varied considerably based on traffic. I live near the metro, so I'm thinking about the following plan: take the orange line to New Carrollton, purchase a monthly parking pass at the New Carrollton parking garage, and drive from New Carrollton to Annapolis. I'd just leave my car at the New Carrollton garage overnight (fortunately I have a second, older car). On my test drives, the stretch of 50 from New Carrollton to Annapolis has not been very bad - the real traffic has been closer to the District. Also, sitting on the metro seems less stressful than navigating Beltway traffic. Has anyone done the commute this way? Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Sorry I can't offer advice, but just wanted to say that I wish I could live in annapolis but I looked at the commute to Foggy bottom and with 2 ES kids it's a no-go for me.
Still dreaming of a place in the Eastport part of annapolis....ever thought about relocating?

[Anonymous]

No advice here, either, I know someone who has commuted from Annapolis to Georgetown every day for 25 years. She was a mom who gave birth and raised two kids in her local public schools during that time. I think she's crazy, but she makes it work.

[Anonymous]

Are you allowed to leave your car in the garage overnight? Probably a stupid question, but I would check on that.

[Anonymous]

Can't help either but to say I know a few boys who commute from Annapolis to Gonzaga. They take a coach commuter bus. Apparently the bus is very nice and less expensive than my kid's metro ride from McLean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you allowed to leave your car in the garage overnight? Probably a stupid question, but I would check on that.

Yes, you can park overnight in the PG County garage that's next to the metro station

[Anonymous]

I have done this commute for two years, from Clarendon. It is much better than commuting to Annapolis by car. I get a lot of work done on the train, and the drive between NC and Annapolis rarely has traffic. Also much cheaper.

[Anonymous]

My wife and I wanted to live in Annapolis as for our budget we could have had a house on the water with deep water dock in the best school area. We stayed over night a few times and made the commute (her to K st and me pentagon) and that was the end of that dream. We setteled in Brookmont but we take dates in Annapolis every other month or so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have done this commute for two years, from Clarendon. It is much better than commuting to Annapolis by car. I get a lot of work done on the train, and the drive between NC and Annapolis rarely has traffic. Also much cheaper.

OP here - good info. What times do you typically commute?

[Anonymous]

Probably longer during rush hour, but not as susceptible to traffic backups on 495.

[Anonymous]

I would think that would work well. I used to do the reverse commute (crofton to dc) and traffic on the side of 50 you'd be taking was light. you'll be going against traffic. only caveat is close to holiday/beach weekends when all bets are off. and any type of navy event.

I also have left a car at NC with no problem.

[Anonymous]

I have known 2 people over the years who live in Annapolis and work in DC, and they take a coach bus which seems like a nice option. You can get work done. Both of them work at home on Fridays, which makes things more sane.

I knew a secretary in our office who commuted from Calvert County to DC, and she eventually found work closer to home. It was too much of a grind.

If such a bus does not exist for OP's situation (DC to Annapolis), how about moving to Annapolis? Most people would love to have a job there.

If there's no coach bus, I wouldn't do it especially if your job is sedentary. Otherwise you will be sitting all day long.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would think that would work well. I used to do the reverse commute (crofton to dc) and traffic on the side of 50 you'd be taking was light. you'll be going against traffic. only caveat is close to holiday/beach weekends when all bets are off. and any type of navy event.

I also have left a car at NC with no problem.

This. Can you telework on Fridays?

[Anonymous]

I use to take the orange line from new carrolton to dc as part of my commute (and then back again in the evening). It is fine as long but is subject to all the usual metro hijinks that seemed to occur at least weekly, causing considerable delays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would think that would work well. I used to do the reverse commute (crofton to dc) and traffic on the side of 50 you'd be taking was light. you'll be going against traffic. only caveat is close to holiday/beach weekends when all bets are off. and any type of navy event.

I also have left a car at NC with no problem.

Did you drive or metro from NC? If you drove, how long and how bad was it?