Need Advice Commute to Bethesda

Any advice/experience on the commute from Broadlands to Bethesda? How long does it take, what time do you leave and come home, driving vs. Metro, etc. I'm accustomed to driving to Arlington and DC, so I know what the toll road portion of the drive looks like. Thanks in advance for any input!

 

I drive it everyday from Ashburn Farm area. I leave at 8:30 and am at work in downtown Bethesda by the metro within an hour. The shortest time is 45mins. You don't want to know the longest. It is pretty steady at 1 hour. September will be horrible and you will want to get a job at Dulles, but most of the other months are consistent, with summer being the 45 min days. I used to leave earlier in the morning, and was always sitting in the car for 1 1/2 hours, so 8:30 is best (or later if you can). I leave Bethesda around 6pm to 6:30pm and it usually take 45 mins on the return trip. I take Claiborne Pkwy to the Greenway, Greenway to Toll Road, do the switch around in Tysons to pick-up the Beltway (if exit from Toll Road is backed up, which it usually is), Beltway to Clara Barton, Clara Barton to Glen Echo turnaround and make my way through residential areas to Metro Center. Good Luck!

 

Should have read your post closer - it will take you 15 mins to 1/2 hour on the Beltway to Bethesda part. Don't go River Road - learn the backways up Clara Barton. It is the part of the ride that you can really make up time if you get stuck on the tollroad & vice-versa on the return trip. If you are going to Bethesda towards Lockheed Martin, etc, it is supposedly quicker than going to downtown Bethesda like I do.

 

Thank you for the detailed advice. I actually solved my commuting challenge -- through a new job!