# No. Va. to DC commuters: I-66 on Friday morning. Need answer fast! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 5, 2015, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-va-to-dc-commuters-i-66-on-friday-morning-need-answer-fast/719327 "2015-05-05T17:45:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2015, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-va-to-dc-commuters-i-66-on-friday-morning-need-answer-fast/719327/21 "2015-05-06T13:50:28Z")
> [@Fallen](#): > > If OP is talking I-66 (v. I-95), one presumes it’d be better to start at Vienna metro stop than Franconia-Springfield. Perhaps, but the OP said he was leaving from Manassas, which is a bit further south and could be closer to Franconia-Springfield. Either “works”. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2015, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-va-to-dc-commuters-i-66-on-friday-morning-need-answer-fast/719327/22 "2015-05-06T13:55:24Z")
> [@Fallen](#): > > If the Vienna metro stop were a half-hour off I-66, I might understand thinking there’s a good reason to drive all the way in… The Vienna station is on I-66. It’s literally right on the median. > [@commasense](#): > > …Also, we have to leave DC and get back to Manassas as quickly as possible, and that would be faster by car… I’m not so sure you have experienced enough PM rush hours in NoVa. > [@madmonk28](#): > > …I’d give myself some extra time just because you’re taking a group of school kids and they dawdle… True dat. ---
**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2015, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-va-to-dc-commuters-i-66-on-friday-morning-need-answer-fast/719327/23 "2015-05-06T14:42:30Z")
Fridays are a good commute day due to so many people having AWS. HOV will help too. If you are going to use the HOV lane you will need an EZPass. The parking could be a problem, but I am not familiar with that. I would say 90 minutes, unless there is an accident. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2015, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-va-to-dc-commuters-i-66-on-friday-morning-need-answer-fast/719327/24 "2015-05-06T17:02:16Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > After having lived in Annandale that commute at that time causes flashbacks of the thing I hated most about living in NOVA. The bigotry is what forced me out of there early but the traffic is what guarantees I’ll never go back. Bigotry? How awful, I’m so sorry you experienced that. The diversity and openness of Northern Virginia has always been one of things I’ve liked best about my home. I’m really shocked to hear this. By any chance are you referring to the mid-nineties, when tensions were high between the Korean and Latin American communities in Annandale? I’m not saying this to refute or invalidate, I’d really like to know what you experienced. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2015, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-va-to-dc-commuters-i-66-on-friday-morning-need-answer-fast/719327/25 "2015-05-06T18:34:21Z")
> [@Fallen](#): > > If the Vienna metro stop were a half-hour off I-66, I might understand thinking there’s a good reason to drive all the way in. (If Vienna parking didn’t take credit cards, I’d have suggested someone could pick up a Smarttrip card (and other farecards) at some point between now and Thursday after planning out trip at [wmata.com](http://wmata.com).) I was planning to get a SmarTrip card at the station to pay for the parking, since last time I parked at a Metro lot, a SmarTrip card was \*\*required \*\*to pay for parking. Can someone else confirm that I can just use my credit card for the parking at Vienna? And I can get a SmarTrip card from a machine in the station, can’t I? > [@](#): > > You don’t say what time you’re leaving DC, and how it was concluded the return trip would be faster by car. Even if non-rush hour, I don’t know that you’d make it back as far as Vienna in 45 min. > [@robert\_columbia](#): > > I’m not so sure you have experienced enough PM rush hours in NoVa. Although it’s not really important, sorry I wasn’t clear about this. We’ll be leaving DC in the late morning, shortly after our meeting. That’s why I was confident that driving out of the city would be faster than getting in. > [@puddleglum](#): > > Fridays are a good commute day due to so many people having AWS. HOV will help too. If you are going to use the HOV lane you will need an EZPass. Are you sure about needing an EZ Pass? Can someone else confirm? The [Virginia DOT page on HOV](http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/hov-rulesfaq.asp) only refers to EZ Pass for hybrid vehicles using HOV. Could someone suggest how much time I should allow for driving between exit 47 (Manassas) and exit 62 (Vienna) on I-66 _**in the HOV lane (if legal)**_ on a Friday morning at about 6:30? Google Maps says 19 minutes without traffic, but I don’t know how backed up it gets there in the morning. Should I allow 30? 45? more? (I know I’ll also have to allow at least 15 minutes to park, get farecards for 7 people, and get to the platform.) > [@TruCelt](#): > > I’m not saying this to refute or invalidate, I’d really like to know what you experienced. ☹ Perhaps in another thread or in PM, if you don’t mind. Thanks again to everyone who has helped out in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2015, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-va-to-dc-commuters-i-66-on-friday-morning-need-answer-fast/719327/26 "2015-05-06T19:06:27Z")
Regarding SmarTrip cards: is there any downside to getting everyone in the group SmarTrip cards, to save the $1 paper farecard surcharge? ISTR that SmarTrip cards come with a minimum amount already on them, although the WMATA Web site doesn’t say anything about this. Is it $10? If so, it’s probably a better deal, because our RT fares will be $11.50 with the surcharge and $9.50 with SmarTrip. So unless buying a SmarTrip is significantly harder or more time consuming, I don’t see why we shouldn’t go SmarTrip instead of paper farecards. Am I right? Also, the school wants receipts for all expenses. Can the machines provide receipts for SmarTrip and farecard purchases? ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2015, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-va-to-dc-commuters-i-66-on-friday-morning-need-answer-fast/719327/27 "2015-05-06T19:36:12Z")
Smartrip, once you have it, is faster for going through the gates. The machines give receipts. You get one by paying $10 and I believe it comes with $9 on it. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2015, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-va-to-dc-commuters-i-66-on-friday-morning-need-answer-fast/719327/28 "2015-05-06T19:39:43Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > Regarding SmarTrip cards: is there any downside to getting everyone in the group SmarTrip cards, to save the $1 paper farecard surcharge? > > ISTR that SmarTrip cards come with a minimum amount already on them, although the WMATA Web site doesn’t say anything about this. Is it $10? If so, it’s probably a better deal, because our RT fares will be $11.50 with the surcharge and $9.50 with SmarTrip. So unless buying a SmarTrip is significantly harder or more time consuming, I don’t see why we shouldn’t go SmarTrip instead of paper farecards. They used to be $10, with $5 for the card and $5 fare, but they are now still $10, but the card is $2 and you get $8 fare. In other words, no. > [@commasense](#): > > Also, the school wants receipts for all expenses. Can the machines provide receipts for SmarTrip and farecard purchases? I’m pretty sure the machine you buy the cards from will give you a receipt. Alternatively, if you have the time to wait for shipping, you can [purchase them online](https://smartrip.wmata.com/storefront). You will definitely get a receipt that way. I don’t know how long it will take for you to get your cards, though. I’m guessing about a week, but don’t take my word for it. ---
**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-va-to-dc-commuters-i-66-on-friday-morning-need-answer-fast/719327/29 "2015-05-07T15:21:35Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > I was planning to get a SmarTrip card at the station to pay for the parking, since last time I parked at a Metro lot, a SmarTrip card was \*\*required \*\*to pay for parking. Can someone else confirm that I can just use my credit card for the parking at Vienna? And I can get a SmarTrip card from a machine in the station, can’t I? > > Although it’s not really important, sorry I wasn’t clear about this. We’ll be leaving DC in the late morning, shortly after our meeting. That’s why I was confident that driving out of the city would be faster than getting in. > > Are you sure about needing an EZ Pass? Can someone else confirm? The [Virginia DOT page on HOV](http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/hov-rulesfaq.asp) only refers to EZ Pass for hybrid vehicles using HOV. > > Could someone suggest how much time I should allow for driving between exit 47 (Manassas) and exit 62 (Vienna) on I-66 _**in the HOV lane (if legal)**_ on a Friday morning at about 6:30? Google Maps says 19 minutes without traffic, but I don’t know how backed up it gets there in the morning. Should I allow 30? 45? more? (I know I’ll also have to allow at least 15 minutes to park, get farecards for 7 people, and get to the platform.) > > Perhaps in another thread or in PM, if you don’t mind. > Thanks again to everyone who has helped out in this thread. The EZ pass ideas was a mistake, you do not need one on the HOV at this time, that is scheduled for next year or the year after. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-va-to-dc-commuters-i-66-on-friday-morning-need-answer-fast/719327/30 "2015-05-07T15:28:48Z")
I just added money to my smartrip card yesterday and it asked me if I wanted a receipt. ---
**Author:** ![grayhairedmomma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/47e85d/32.png) [@grayhairedmomma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grayhairedmomma)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-va-to-dc-commuters-i-66-on-friday-morning-need-answer-fast/719327/31 "2015-05-07T19:15:10Z")
If you haven’t gotten them yet, you might want to stop by your local CVS and see if they sell SmarTrip cards. I know the ones in Arlington do, but I’m not sure about Manassas. You’d definitely get a receipt and getting them today would save time in the morning. Also, the reason that driving out of DC mid-morning probably won’t be faster than the train is because rush hour doesn’t end until after 10:30 am (and Lord help you if there is an accident). After 9am construction crews are allowed to begin work in the street, and you have issues with delivery trucks. If you do take the metro, please make sure to use proper escalator etiquette - stand on the left, walk on the right 🙂 You’ll want to use the WMATA website linked to above to check train departure times - after rush hour you sometimes have waits of up to 20 min between trains. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-va-to-dc-commuters-i-66-on-friday-morning-need-answer-fast/719327/32 "2015-05-07T21:20:13Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > Bigotry? How awful, I’m so sorry you experienced that. The diversity and openness of Northern Virginia has always been one of things I’ve liked best about my home. I’m really shocked to hear this. By any chance are you referring to the mid-nineties, when tensions were high between the Korean and Latin American communities in Annandale? > > I’m not saying this to refute or invalidate, I’d really like to know what you experienced. ☹ My manager sat me down and explained to me I would not be offered a promotion because he did not feel people would be comfortable working under a homosexual. When I asked to transfer out of that location the manager forced my assistant manager to rewrite my top rated review to a failing grade which prevented transfers. I called it quits and moved back to MA, the MA location forced a transfer. This was happening at the same time VA was passing laws to ban civil unions or any contract that granted similar rights to marriage and MA was legalizing same sex marriage. As most people assume I’m straight the casual bigotry I listened to there was rather astounding. It was like the standard greeting of straight men there was to say something disparaging against gays. So yeah never going back to VA. Never going to consider living in a state that doesn’t offer LGBT protections. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-va-to-dc-commuters-i-66-on-friday-morning-need-answer-fast/719327/33 "2015-05-07T23:58:31Z")
> [@grayhairedmomma](#): > > If you do take the metro, please make sure to use proper escalator etiquette - stand on the left, walk on the right 🙂 I’m sure you mean “stand on the right, walk on the left.” No? ---
**Author:** ![grayhairedmomma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/47e85d/32.png) [@grayhairedmomma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grayhairedmomma)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2015, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-va-to-dc-commuters-i-66-on-friday-morning-need-answer-fast/719327/34 "2015-05-08T13:52:07Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > I’m sure you mean “stand on the right, walk on the left.” No? Oh dear god, yes. I hope they didn’t get yelled at! ---
**Author:** ![JcWoman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jcwoman/32/2889_2.png) [@JcWoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JcWoman)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2015, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-va-to-dc-commuters-i-66-on-friday-morning-need-answer-fast/719327/35 "2015-05-08T14:31:24Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > My manager sat me down and explained to me I would not be offered a promotion because he did not feel people would be comfortable working under a homosexual. When I asked to transfer out of that location the manager forced my assistant manager to rewrite my top rated review to a failing grade which prevented transfers. I called it quits and moved back to MA, the MA location forced a transfer. > > This was happening at the same time VA was passing laws to ban civil unions or any contract that granted similar rights to marriage and MA was legalizing same sex marriage. > > As most people assume I’m straight the casual bigotry I listened to there was rather astounding. It was like the standard greeting of straight men there was to say something disparaging against gays. > > So yeah never going back to VA. Never going to consider living in a state that doesn’t offer LGBT protections. Wow, I’m really sorry that happened to you. It’s not like that for every place here. When I got my current job (near Dulles airport), I learned after a couple months of casual references that my supervisor (male) had a husband named David. My reaction (which I quashed because I thought I’d sound stupid) was to say “hey, my husband is named David too! we have a lot in common!” And a few months after that, I was introduced to the wife of another manager (female). So my company has no issues with same sex partners, and I like it that way. I hate bigots. ---
**Author:** ![bobkitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c67d28/32.png) [@bobkitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobkitty)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2015, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-va-to-dc-commuters-i-66-on-friday-morning-need-answer-fast/719327/36 "2015-05-10T11:52:39Z")
I’m curious to hear how the trip was, particularly since there were a LOT of extra folks in DC that day for the WWII flyover. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2015, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-va-to-dc-commuters-i-66-on-friday-morning-need-answer-fast/719327/37 "2015-05-12T00:01:15Z")
Thanks for asking, **bobkitty**. It all went great. Although I briefly considered waiting until the morning to see how long Google Maps predicted it would take to drive all the way in, I decided that conditions were too likely to deteriorate mid-trip, and that therefore Metro would be the most reliable method. So we left Manassas at about 6:00, hit some some minor slowdowns on I-66 before reaching Vienna, took Metro to Capitol South (thanks again, **Tom Tildrum)**, and walked to the Russell Senate Office building, stopping to take a picture of the guys in front of the Capitol on the way. As I mentioned in the OP, I wanted to get there between 8 and 8:30, and we arrived at 7:40. We were so early we got there before the staffers setting up for the event showed up! But better early than late. We left around 10, walked over to Union Station so that the guys could see it (and since changing trains at that hour wouldn’t be so potentially troublesome), and were back in Manassas before 11:30. We didn’t get to see the flyover, unfortunately, but on Sunday morning we went to the Manassas Regional Airport and saw two B-17s, aB-24, a B-29, and a couple other planes that had participated in the flyover. Thanks again to all who helped. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-va-to-dc-commuters-i-66-on-friday-morning-need-answer-fast/719327.md?page=1)