Help me figure out my commute from Falls Church to DC
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Anonymous
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I live in Falls Church, (Lake Barcroft) and work downtown (in the Reagan Building - Federal Triangle). I’ve got the commuting blues. Oh, and I’m 22 weeks pregnant. Like everyone, I’m trying to balance cost and time, along with the hassle factor.
If money weren’t an issue, I would drive to work. However, the daily parking cost is $22 (or $320/month). That doesn’t account for gas or wear & tear. Driving gives me the most flexibility and is the fastest option. It usually takes me 30-40 minutes door-to-door. I don’t mind the drive - in fact, I prefer it to riding the metro. East Falls Church metro is about a 12-15 minute drive from my house. Unfortunately, by the time I get to the lot (around 7:45) it is full. Often my husband will drive me to EFC, but that means that he is committed to also picking me up. This is the cheapest option, since I get metro benefits, but it takes me 45 minutes each way and it takes 50-60 minutes out of his day. The next option is to drive to Ballston, park in the garage, and walk to the metro,. That commute takes me roughly 55 minutes each way and starting next month will cost $10 per day for parking. I could pay for a monthly pass for $105. This is my least favorite option because it involves the most hassle. Other than setting up a carpool, are there other options? I tried taking the bus one day and that was a disaster. It took me about an hour and a half. Is there someplace else I can park? I thought about driving to Farragut West or Rosslyn, where they seem to have a lot of $9-10 early bird parking deals, but I don’t know if I’ll save much time or hassle by doing this. Is there some other place I can park near a metro? Going to West Falls Church is not a good option because I think it will take me at least 25 minutes to get there and then I have a longer metro ride. |
Anonymous
I know you 
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Anonymous
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What about driving to Pentagon City and parking there then catching the metro there? I used to park at the Costco parking lot for $10 a day and then metro in. You could either take the blue line which would be a longer ride but no transfer or the yellow and transfer. There are also 12 hr meters at Virgina Square metro. $1 an hour so typically $9-10 a day depending on your schedule.
I feel your pain. I have given up taking the metro because of the hassle and the amount of time it adds to my commute. Currently I am able to drive to work and park at meters all day (yes I move every 2 hours). On a day when I will be in long meetings I will bite the bullet and metro but I hate it with a passion. The days I have to take the metro I try EFC if I am early enough or do the meters at VA Sq. My office is moving next month and the meters won't be an option so I will be looking at the Pentagon City parking option myself. Good luck! |
Anonymous
| I hate to encourage driving in, but that's what I do. Can you look for a cheaper lot and walk to work? I live near you and I always take 50 in (66 sucks). I drive a little after rush hour, just after peak, and I get to Connecticut/K/18th in under 30 min. |
Anonymous
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I used to have a pretty similar commute, though I came in from Dunn Loring and worked near the Reagan building. (and did my Masters there, so had to park occasionally.) Now I come in from Arlington and work near Verizon Center.
Driving in works if you can find a cheaper parking garage and walk a few blocks to your office. When I worked at 10th & Penn, I walked about 6 blocks from a garage at 10th/NY Ave that was $10/day vs. my building's $20. Why don't you walk the neighborhood next week at lunch, duck into all the parking garages and ask about their monthly rates? Reagan is about as pricey as it gets. I actually do the "park in Ballston commons mall" option and I actually don't mind it at all. You *always* get a space, it's a quick walk to the trains, and it's a seamless commute. I do that because driving makes me cranky. it can also be useful to have take-out and CVS available there for quick stops on the way to the car. |
Anonymous
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Your best option may be to keep your current commute but move your hours earlier so you can get a spot in the EFC lot.
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ThatSmileyFaceGuy
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| Check the garage in "The Shops" on 13th they used to have a decent "Early Bird" rate and it's right accross Penn. Ave. Another option is to use the meters around the Commerce Building. But to do that you need to find a buddy that also uses them and switch your cars around at least once a day. |
Anonymous
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East Falls Church has the "guaranteed parking spots" that are a row of spaces held until 10AM. It's a bit more per month than the $4.50 parking fee, but less than $22 or even $10/day that you would be paying elsewhere.
It's a nice option for a close option. http://www.wmata.com/rail/parking/parking_detail.cfm?station=100 |
Anonymous
| I have a similar commute - driving is by far the most efficient and convienent way to commute. There are garages in the area a couple blocks from Reagan for $14 day/$230 month. By the time you add in metro parking ($5-7 daily) and train fees ($4-6 daily) the cost is not that different and you save almost an hour a day. |
Anonymous
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OP here. Thanks for all of the helpful ideas.
11:11 - If the Costco Pentagon City lot is still $10 that's not a bad option. I tried parking at the mall one day and that was $19 or $20 I think. How far from the metro are the 12-hour meters at VA Square? Would that save me walking versus parking at the mall? 11:19 - I tried finding a cheaper lot but didn't get far. The lot across from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is around a 15-minute walk and costs $8 less. Not sure if it is worth 30 minutes of walking to save the money, but I should try it. 11:26 - Great idea to walk around the neighborhood and try to find cheaper options. I used bestparking DC's website but it turned out that the infromation was outdated. The lot I thought was $15 was $23 when I got to it. I agree that there are some nice benefits to parking at Ballston. 11:35 - As it is, by getting to work before 8:30 and leaving at 5:00(ish) I work the earliest shift in my office. I could get here earlier but leaving earlier isn't really an option. Not really excited about extending my workday. 11:39 - I'll check out the shops again. Last time I checked they were almost as pricey, but I'll see what the early bird rate is. 12:05 - I am on the waiting list for a guaranteed spot at EFC. I have no idea how long that wait will be, though. 12:10 -Can you tell me where the $14 garages are? Thanks, everyone! |
Anonymous
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Parking at Pentagon City mall and paying b the day is going to cost a fortune. You'd want to get a monthly contract. That's $130. Harris Teeter is cheaper.
I have co-workers who pay $260/month for parking near DOJ/FBI. |
Anonymous
| There's a parking garage in Ballston, right behind the Hilton Arlington that's $8/day. Right at the entrance to the metro station. |