Anonymous wrote:Does your employer offer a flex transit spending account? The IRS lets employers deduct up to $250 in parking or $125 (I think) in monthly commuting costs from your paycheck pre-tax, so it saves you a bit. Toll road expenses would qualify, I believe, but I use my benefit for parking downtown.

Tolls do not qualify

Lansdowne to Reston Town Center is 45 minutes, on a good day. DH's coworker does it everyday.

I don't think people realize how far out Leesburg is until they make the drive regularly and then stop making it.

I commuted from Leesburg to Reston Town Center for 8 years. If you can manage an earlier schedule - arrive by 7:30, leave by 4 - your commute shouldn't be too bad depending on where in Leesburg you live. I lived close to Battlefield pkwy and Sycolin, which is practically Ashburn. I cut through Herndon and Sterling to avoid 7/FFX Co Pkwy/267. I would avoid the Greenway at all costs unless you are able to recoup through reimbursement or will only travel during off-peak times. I work downtown and miss the days when the only thing I had to bitch about was the backup leaving the free parking garage at RTC.

Does your employer offer a flex transit spending account? The IRS lets employers deduct up to $250 in parking or $125 (I think) in monthly commuting costs from your paycheck pre-tax, so it saves you a bit. Toll road expenses would qualify, I believe, but I use my benefit for parking downtown.

From a cost analysis you have to look at taxes, gas, wear and tear, toll costs compared to the fact that you are going to get a nicer house (probably bigger with better amenaties that is MUCH cheaper than what you would get in the city or its suburbs. )

So the toll cost if you add it up is probably cheaper (even with significant increases) than if you opted to live in Northern Virginia. So living out in Leesburg might not be out of the realm when you do the numbers.

Anonymous wrote:It's a long commute but you have to do the toll road or it is miserable. 7 is a mess in the morning.

If there is an accident you are simply stuck.

Is there any end in sight for the toll road increases? We just couldn't afford the tolls (there are 2 of us driving, but at different times, so no carpooling)

It's a long commute but you have to do the toll road or it is miserable. 7 is a mess in the morning.

If there is an accident you are simply stuck.

Love Leesburg, work in Reston. It says it's about 19 miles. Is the traffic bad in the mornings? The only thing stopping me from moving out there is the toll road. Too expensive and it just keeps rising.

Anyone have experience with this commute?