So, OP, did you test the drive? What did you think?

Thanks for everyone's tips and help on this!

I work in Columbia and live in Kensington and have been doing the commute for 4 years now. I have family in Bethesda, so often go there after work. Here are a few of my observations from this commute.... Generally the ICC doesn't help because you have to go further north and then it angles you back south when you meet up with 29 or 95. I use the ICC if I have something before or after work in Rockville or Gaithersburg but otherwise it is not that helpful (especially for the cost). The inner loop is generally not bad in the morning once you get past Connecticut. So, depending on where you are in Bethesda, if you can get on 495 at Connecticut, it might not be too bad. But, Connecticut south to the beltway in the morning can be brutal (although that is more Kensington/Chevy Chase then Bethesda). If you are inside the beltway, it won't be as bad. Generally 495 to 95 is faster than 29 in the morning, but 29 is a nice back up when there is an accident on 495 or 95. In the evening, the outer loop can be bad. I'm on the eastern side of Kensington, so I take 29 and then cut over into Kensington before the beltway. But, if I have to go to Bethesda, I usually just fight the 495 traffic from 29 to Connecticut or 355. I can usually do the morning commute in 35-40 minutes and the evening commute in 45 minutes but that is just to Kensington. There can also be HUGE variations in that... It definitely helps to know a lot of different routes. Going to Kensington is my max... I don't think I could handle going all the way to Bethesda 5 times a week. I would stay further east but, that might be hard if you like the downtown feel of Bethesda.

Anonymous wrote:I commute to Baltimore on 29 from Silver Spring (just north of the beltway). I used to commute across MoCo from Rockville. I will tell you that the west-east part of the drive was a good half of my commute, so you may want to bear that in mind, and try a real-time commute on an average weekday morning to see what YOU think of it.

This is good advice, because, while I think I have a lower tolerance than average for commuting by car, I would not be able to handle a Bethesda to Columbia commute 5x week. I would be looking for a new job or house ASAP. And E-W Highway will get you there, but keep in mind it isn't actually a highway.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Getting to Columbia from Bethesda is a breeze. The trick is knowing the 'back roads'. If you take East-West Highway to 16th street and make a left, it will dead end on Georgia Avenue where you will make a left (can turn from all three lanes but you want to stay in the RIGHT lane when making the left turn.

At the 1st traffic light, make a right onto Dale Avenue and take that to 29 where you will make a left going north to Columbia. You are going against traffic on East-West Highway, 29 North, and you're avoiding downtown Silver Spring traffic. You will be amazed at how backed up southbound 29 traffic is while you breeze effortlessly going northbound.

I am a back roads junky and can give you other options. Piece of cake.

Dude, this is not a trick and these are not "back roads." But you are funny.

Back roads is just a figure of speech and not as if you're driving through the swamps. The so called trick, as you put it, is to find the routes with the least amount of traffic.

Dh commuted for several years from Silver Spring (inside the beltway) to Columbia. I worked in DC. His commute was twice as long based on mileage, but took half the time. He took the beltway to 95 and would be 35 mins door to door. Reverse commute all the way. My commute took 60 minutes via metro or 45-50 minutes driving.

I'm biased, but I say give Silver Spring a look. More affordable. We live in the Seven Oaks neighborhood and walk to downtown for the farmer's market, library, just about any errand we need. Great neighbors, too!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Columbia Heights is not near Route 29 at all. Takoma Park might be your best bet.

I did the Takoma Park to Columbia commute a few years ago. I agree with the PP, TP is doable. I took 495 to 95. 29 would have taken too long.

Agreed. We live in Shepherd Park and DH works in Columbia. We moved from AU Park (which is near Bethesda). DH loves his commute now from Shepherd Park. Much easier and takes about 30 to 40 minutes. His commute from AU Park was 45 minutes + and more stressful driving conditions. We also like Shepherd Park better than AU Park.

Anonymous wrote:Columbia Heights is not near Route 29 at all. Takoma Park might be your best bet.

I did the Takoma Park to Columbia commute a few years ago. I agree with the PP, TP is doable. I took 495 to 95. 29 would have taken too long.

Anonymous wrote:Getting to Columbia from Bethesda is a breeze. The trick is knowing the 'back roads'. If you take East-West Highway to 16th street and make a left, it will dead end on Georgia Avenue where you will make a left (can turn from all three lanes but you want to stay in the RIGHT lane when making the left turn.

At the 1st traffic light, make a right onto Dale Avenue and take that to 29 where you will make a left going north to Columbia. You are going against traffic on East-West Highway, 29 North, and you're avoiding downtown Silver Spring traffic. You will be amazed at how backed up southbound 29 traffic is while you breeze effortlessly going northbound.

I am a back roads junky and can give you other options. Piece of cake.

Dude, this is not a trick and these are not "back roads." But you are funny.

For your return trip to Bethesda, keep the ICC in mind. There is no traffic and worth the toll. There is no quick fix to/from Bethesda to Columbia but there are several driveable options. Also, there are commuter buses that go to Columbia from the D.C. area. Might make a good back up. YOU have options.

http://bethesdatransit.org/transit-Maryland-Commuter-buses.shtml

I swear I posted AN IDENTICAL thread five months ago when we made the same exact move with the same exact considerations (except it's my husband who works in Columbia). Drop me a line at shirirb at gmail dot com to chat. We ended up in Bethesda, fwiw.

Well if you are visiting this weekend, you should check out downtown Silver Spring or the Woodlin neighborhood in Silver Spring.
If you are set on Bethesda, do not move more than 10 minutes away from a highway (495, 270).