MD Resident Only Shops in VA

[Anonymous]

^^ “job centers” along the silver spring line? You must mean cancer causing, water polluting, electricity hogging data centers that barely employ any people.

[Anonymous]

^^ meant silver line

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The traffic on 495 going into and leaving Tyson's is insane. I live in DC and don't leave very often to MD or VA, but when I have to go to VA I have to pack a lunch!

Exactly, this hwy is always packed. And even large residential roads leading to Tysons are packed for hours each day. To get to Tysons from nearby Vienna and Mclean takes 15 min due to traffic and lights, why people who live there shop in their local strip malls. There is no way that it's this easy to drive to Tysons for funzies or essential errands in 20 min. More like 40 min. Especially if you need to get to the hwy from your residential area to start with.

It takes 15-20 minutes max to get from River Road and 495 or Old Georgetown and 495 to Tysons on the weekends as long as you leave before 1 or 2 pm. Ditto for Sunday and for weekdays after 7. No one usually leaves their house to go shopping at 5pm or 6pm on the weekdays in the middle of rush hour. It is a PIA to get anywhere around the DMV at that time.

And to the poster who said Olney was 11 miles and Tysons was 8 from River Road and 495. It literally takes 10 minutes to get from River and Seven Locks to Tysons right now and 26 to get from the same location to Olney. Yes, it is late at night with no traffic, but it would still be a lot faster after 7 pm on weekdays and on weekends as well. A lot of people don’t realize how close Tysons is to people in W school clusters, especially Churchhill and Whitman.

Most of us don't live directly adjacent to where River Road or Old Georgetown meet 495.

I am only 5 miles from River Road & 495 and that stretch alone will usually take 10-15 minutes. For weekdays, you have to be leaving after 8pm or 9pm. Sunday AM is reliable before like 11am, but Saturdays are unpredictable.

You do you...but most of us choose to live near where we plan to shop. If I loved Tysons so much, I would live in McLean.

As it is, I like Bethesda where I can shop at TJ's, Lidl, Giant and walk to 100 restaurants and other shops...and yes, literally go 50 feet into DC if I want Total Wine (but I don't care that much making a dedicated run to save a couple of $$$s).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The traffic on 495 going into and leaving Tyson's is insane. I live in DC and don't leave very often to MD or VA, but when I have to go to VA I have to pack a lunch!

Exactly, this hwy is always packed. And even large residential roads leading to Tysons are packed for hours each day. To get to Tysons from nearby Vienna and Mclean takes 15 min due to traffic and lights, why people who live there shop in their local strip malls. There is no way that it's this easy to drive to Tysons for funzies or essential errands in 20 min. More like 40 min. Especially if you need to get to the hwy from your residential area to start with.

It takes 15-20 minutes max to get from River Road and 495 or Old Georgetown and 495 to Tysons on the weekends as long as you leave before 1 or 2 pm. Ditto for Sunday and for weekdays after 7. No one usually leaves their house to go shopping at 5pm or 6pm on the weekdays in the middle of rush hour. It is a PIA to get anywhere around the DMV at that time.

And to the poster who said Olney was 11 miles and Tysons was 8 from River Road and 495. It literally takes 10 minutes to get from River and Seven Locks to Tysons right now and 26 to get from the same location to Olney. Yes, it is late at night with no traffic, but it would still be a lot faster after 7 pm on weekdays and on weekends as well. A lot of people don’t realize how close Tysons is to people in W school clusters, especially Churchhill and Whitman.

Most of us don't live directly adjacent to where River Road or Old Georgetown meet 495.

I am only 5 miles from River Road & 495 and that stretch alone will usually take 10-15 minutes. For weekdays, you have to be leaving after 8pm or 9pm. Sunday AM is reliable before like 11am, but Saturdays are unpredictable.

You do you...but most of us choose to live near where we plan to shop. If I loved Tysons so much, I would live in McLean.

As it is, I like Bethesda where I can shop at TJ's, Lidl, Giant and walk to 100 restaurants and other shops...and yes, literally go 50 feet into DC if I want Total Wine (but I don't care that much making a dedicated run to save a couple of $$$s).

I agree with all of this. I have trouble believing that anyone would routinely subject themselves to driving on the beltway to go grocery and mall shopping at Tysons when there are great options in Bethesda that are much easier to drive to. I think OP lived in Bethesda at some point, moved to Nova, and now wants validation of his choice.

[Anonymous]

I would never advocate crossing any bridge, but 495 in MD would be a lot better if there either were HOV lanes (or HOT lanes like VA) at least between the bridge and the 270 spur.

The 495 bridge belongs to MD. Only MD can change or replace it. The bridge would be a lot better if it separated local/through lanes just like the Wilson Bridge has done for 20 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would never advocate crossing any bridge, but 495 in MD would be a lot better if there either were HOV lanes (or HOT lanes like VA) at least between the bridge and the 270 spur.

The 495 bridge belongs to MD. Only MD can change or replace it. The bridge would be a lot better if it separated local/through lanes just like the Wilson Bridge has done for 20 years.

You might one day get your wish:

https://marylandmatters.org/2026/01/15/state-reopens-door-to-public-funding-for-american-legion-bridge-reconstruction/

But your "only MD" statement isn't correct, because USDOT might help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The traffic on 495 going into and leaving Tyson's is insane. I live in DC and don't leave very often to MD or VA, but when I have to go to VA I have to pack a lunch!

Exactly, this hwy is always packed. And even large residential roads leading to Tysons are packed for hours each day. To get to Tysons from nearby Vienna and Mclean takes 15 min due to traffic and lights, why people who live there shop in their local strip malls. There is no way that it's this easy to drive to Tysons for funzies or essential errands in 20 min. More like 40 min. Especially if you need to get to the hwy from your residential area to start with.

It takes 15-20 minutes max to get from River Road and 495 or Old Georgetown and 495 to Tysons on the weekends as long as you leave before 1 or 2 pm. Ditto for Sunday and for weekdays after 7. No one usually leaves their house to go shopping at 5pm or 6pm on the weekdays in the middle of rush hour. It is a PIA to get anywhere around the DMV at that time.

And to the poster who said Olney was 11 miles and Tysons was 8 from River Road and 495. It literally takes 10 minutes to get from River and Seven Locks to Tysons right now and 26 to get from the same location to Olney. Yes, it is late at night with no traffic, but it would still be a lot faster after 7 pm on weekdays and on weekends as well. A lot of people don’t realize how close Tysons is to people in W school clusters, especially Churchhill and Whitman.

Most of us don't live directly adjacent to where River Road or Old Georgetown meet 495.

I am only 5 miles from River Road & 495 and that stretch alone will usually take 10-15 minutes. For weekdays, you have to be leaving after 8pm or 9pm. Sunday AM is reliable before like 11am, but Saturdays are unpredictable.

You do you...but most of us choose to live near where we plan to shop. If I loved Tysons so much, I would live in McLean.

As it is, I like Bethesda where I can shop at TJ's, Lidl, Giant and walk to 100 restaurants and other shops...and yes, literally go 50 feet into DC if I want Total Wine (but I don't care that much making a dedicated run to save a couple of $$$s).

I agree with all of this. I have trouble believing that anyone would routinely subject themselves to driving on the beltway to go grocery and mall shopping at Tysons when there are great options in Bethesda that are much easier to drive to. I think OP lived in Bethesda at some point, moved to Nova, and now wants validation of his choice.

You can’t be serious. I see kids with Whitman and Einstein gear all the time at Tysons. Their Nordstrom makes Montgomery Mall’s Nordstrom look like JCPenney and Tysons has far more upscale options than Montgomery Mall or Wheaton Mall. It’s not even close.

It’s cute that you want to defend your state but let’s be real.

[Anonymous]

Love that people are so provincial that they’re bragging about never crossing a bridge into another state. Enjoy those crabs hon!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Love that people are so provincial that they’re bragging about never crossing a bridge into another state. Enjoy those crabs hon!

So, driving 30 minutes to go to a mall is cosmopolitan?

I go to Old Town Alexandria sometimes and enjoy Shenandoah. Why anyone would think it’s a flex to lose 90 minutes of their life routinely commuting just to frequent a nondescript mall is beyond me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The traffic on 495 going into and leaving Tyson's is insane. I live in DC and don't leave very often to MD or VA, but when I have to go to VA I have to pack a lunch!

Exactly, this hwy is always packed. And even large residential roads leading to Tysons are packed for hours each day. To get to Tysons from nearby Vienna and Mclean takes 15 min due to traffic and lights, why people who live there shop in their local strip malls. There is no way that it's this easy to drive to Tysons for funzies or essential errands in 20 min. More like 40 min. Especially if you need to get to the hwy from your residential area to start with.

It takes 15-20 minutes max to get from River Road and 495 or Old Georgetown and 495 to Tysons on the weekends as long as you leave before 1 or 2 pm. Ditto for Sunday and for weekdays after 7. No one usually leaves their house to go shopping at 5pm or 6pm on the weekdays in the middle of rush hour. It is a PIA to get anywhere around the DMV at that time.

And to the poster who said Olney was 11 miles and Tysons was 8 from River Road and 495. It literally takes 10 minutes to get from River and Seven Locks to Tysons right now and 26 to get from the same location to Olney. Yes, it is late at night with no traffic, but it would still be a lot faster after 7 pm on weekdays and on weekends as well. A lot of people don’t realize how close Tysons is to people in W school clusters, especially Churchhill and Whitman.

Most of us don't live directly adjacent to where River Road or Old Georgetown meet 495.

I am only 5 miles from River Road & 495 and that stretch alone will usually take 10-15 minutes. For weekdays, you have to be leaving after 8pm or 9pm. Sunday AM is reliable before like 11am, but Saturdays are unpredictable.

You do you...but most of us choose to live near where we plan to shop. If I loved Tysons so much, I would live in McLean.

As it is, I like Bethesda where I can shop at TJ's, Lidl, Giant and walk to 100 restaurants and other shops...and yes, literally go 50 feet into DC if I want Total Wine (but I don't care that much making a dedicated run to save a couple of $$$s).

I agree with all of this. I have trouble believing that anyone would routinely subject themselves to driving on the beltway to go grocery and mall shopping at Tysons when there are great options in Bethesda that are much easier to drive to. I think OP lived in Bethesda at some point, moved to Nova, and now wants validation of his choice.

You can’t be serious. I see kids with Whitman and Einstein gear all the time at Tysons. Their Nordstrom makes Montgomery Mall’s Nordstrom look like JCPenney and Tysons has far more upscale options than Montgomery Mall or Wheaton Mall. It’s not even close.

It’s cute that you want to defend your state but let’s be real.

So…are you 16? I thought OP was an adult…but maybe they are a teenager.

[Anonymous]

Things that do not happen when shopping at the McLean Total Wine, but happen near the Friendship Heights Total Wine.

https://mocoshow.com/2026/03/24/woman-who-left-shoe-behind-during-carjacking-attempt-found-guilty/#more-124623

A Montgomery County jury found 21-year-old Roniyah Thomas of District Heights guilty on all counts, including attempted armed carjacking, first-degree assault, armed robbery, and use of a firearm in the commission of a violent crime.

The charges stem from a February 4, 2025 incident in Chevy Chase, where Thomas approached a man exiting his vehicle, pointed a gun, and demanded his car keys. The victim resisted, pushing the weapon away, at which point Thomas fired, striking him in the leg before fleeing. Investigators later used surveillance footage from the Friendship Heights Metro Station, where a suspect was seen entering without a shoe and removing the other, to identify Thomas and link her to the attempted carjacking.

I see stories about carjackings in Friendship Heights, Bethesda, and Chevy Chase on at least a monthly basis. No one has ever worried about being carjacked at the McLean Total Wine since it was built. I could walk around with a Moncler jacket, LV purse, waving around $1,000 in hundred dollar bills at 10 at night and nothing would happen. A few minutes more of a drive is worth my piece of mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Things that do not happen when shopping at the McLean Total Wine, but happen near the Friendship Heights Total Wine.

https://mocoshow.com/2026/03/24/woman-who-left-shoe-behind-during-carjacking-attempt-found-guilty/#more-124623

A Montgomery County jury found 21-year-old Roniyah Thomas of District Heights guilty on all counts, including attempted armed carjacking, first-degree assault, armed robbery, and use of a firearm in the commission of a violent crime.

The charges stem from a February 4, 2025 incident in Chevy Chase, where Thomas approached a man exiting his vehicle, pointed a gun, and demanded his car keys. The victim resisted, pushing the weapon away, at which point Thomas fired, striking him in the leg before fleeing. Investigators later used surveillance footage from the Friendship Heights Metro Station, where a suspect was seen entering without a shoe and removing the other, to identify Thomas and link her to the attempted carjacking.

I see stories about carjackings in Friendship Heights, Bethesda, and Chevy Chase on at least a monthly basis. No one has ever worried about being carjacked at the McLean Total Wine since it was built. I could walk around with a Moncler jacket, LV purse, waving around $1,000 in hundred dollar bills at 10 at night and nothing would happen. A few minutes more of a drive is worth my piece of mind.

I guess you must go looking for anything you can find to justify your bizarre Tyson’s trips. The fact is that Tyson’s is a hotbed of crime ever since the metro station was built there. This includes an incident where there was a shooting inside the mall that sent people fleeing and caused mass chaos. I’d take my safety in friendship heights any day over the cesspool that Tyson’s has become.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Things that do not happen when shopping at the McLean Total Wine, but happen near the Friendship Heights Total Wine.

https://mocoshow.com/2026/03/24/woman-who-left-shoe-behind-during-carjacking-attempt-found-guilty/#more-124623

A Montgomery County jury found 21-year-old Roniyah Thomas of District Heights guilty on all counts, including attempted armed carjacking, first-degree assault, armed robbery, and use of a firearm in the commission of a violent crime.

The charges stem from a February 4, 2025 incident in Chevy Chase, where Thomas approached a man exiting his vehicle, pointed a gun, and demanded his car keys. The victim resisted, pushing the weapon away, at which point Thomas fired, striking him in the leg before fleeing. Investigators later used surveillance footage from the Friendship Heights Metro Station, where a suspect was seen entering without a shoe and removing the other, to identify Thomas and link her to the attempted carjacking.

I see stories about carjackings in Friendship Heights, Bethesda, and Chevy Chase on at least a monthly basis. No one has ever worried about being carjacked at the McLean Total Wine since it was built. I could walk around with a Moncler jacket, LV purse, waving around $1,000 in hundred dollar bills at 10 at night and nothing would happen. A few minutes more of a drive is worth my piece of mind.

That’s complete bullshit. I get you are afraid of your own shadow. Again…if things are that bad, wouldn’t you move to McLean?

[Anonymous]

Besides the awful traffic, which can turn a 15-20 min drive from Bethesda to Tysons into 35-45, I can’t believe no one’s brought up the awful parking situation at Tyson’s. I hate it. Takes at least an extra 10-15 mins to get parked on the 3rd level if you’re lucky and into the mall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Besides the awful traffic, which can turn a 15-20 min drive from Bethesda to Tysons into 35-45, I can’t believe no one’s brought up the awful parking situation at Tyson’s. I hate it. Takes at least an extra 10-15 mins to get parked on the 3rd level if you’re lucky and into the mall.

The problem is most reasonable people never make the drive. I don’t think I have driven over to Tyson’s for at least 5 years (I have driven past it for work meetings, but haven’t been to the mall for at least 5 years).

As a result…we don’t remember how much parking sucks and all the other shitty things about the drive.