# Commuting from West Virginia to DC **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 7, 2014, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commuting-from-west-virginia-to-dc/700690 "2014-10-07T21:43:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Theios](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e8c25b/32.png) [@Theios](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Theios)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2014, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commuting-from-west-virginia-to-dc/700690/21 "2014-10-08T12:42:00Z")
I used to live around the bend from where Jonathan Chance lived, and commuted into the DC area. The first time was from Harper’s Ferry to Beltsville, Md. I believe it was a 75 mile ride each way, but I worked nights, so traffic wasn’t bad. The second time was from Harper’s Ferry to McLean, Va. Slightly less miles, but more traffic, so the totally time was about the same. Again… I worked nights, so traffic wasn’t horrible. Considering that I was on night shift, and had a soul crushing job… I never even noticed that my commute sucked. That was probably the most pleasant part of my work day. (note: this was from around 1992-2005, so things have probably changed a lot since then.) ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2014, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commuting-from-west-virginia-to-dc/700690/22 "2014-10-08T21:30:39Z")
Does the MARC have WiFi? Perhaps if the OP’s job allows it and he has a laptop for work, you can include some of your commute as working time, shortening the hours required at the office. The train between SF and Sacramento in CA is about 2 hours and has WiFi, and you can get a lot of work done in that time. Still, I would not want to do that daily (altho I have met people who do). ---
**Author:** ![DeweyDecibel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d26b3c/32.png) [@DeweyDecibel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeweyDecibel)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2014, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commuting-from-west-virginia-to-dc/700690/23 "2014-10-10T20:19:55Z")
I knew someone who did this 2x per week, worked from home or traveled the rest of the week. I can’t imagine it’s pleasant, but it is physically possible. Figure on a 2-3 hour commute each way, in off hours. So if you start work at 6, you leave home before 4. Done at 3, home by 6. In my experience, even 3:00 is getting on towards rush hour, by 4 you’re pretty much screwed if you’re driving. If there’s a motorcade or road block or security scare then it’s a real problem. The train goes to Union Station. If you work in that area, great. Otherwise add 10-20 minutes in the metro plus waking time. ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2014, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commuting-from-west-virginia-to-dc/700690/24 "2014-10-11T03:35:39Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > Does the MARC have WiFi? Perhaps if the OP’s job allows it and he has a laptop for work, you can include some of your commute as working time, shortening the hours required at the office. No, the train cars are actually pretty old and there’s nothing like that. There is plenty of beer and wine on Friday nights, and most other nights as well. ---
**Author:** ![Flywheel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Flywheel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flywheel)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2014, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commuting-from-west-virginia-to-dc/700690/25 "2014-10-11T03:48:48Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > By car? By train? Is public transportation even an option? File under: “Rejected Lyrics from _Annie_” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commuting-from-west-virginia-to-dc/700690.md?page=1)