Is your job in DC but your heart is set on living in Arlington? You are not alone. Many buyers choose Arlington for its transit access, lively neighborhoods, and quick trips across the river. In this guide, you will learn how different Arlington neighborhoods line up with DC job hubs, what commute modes work best, and how to plan realistic door-to-door times. Let’s dive in.
Match neighborhood to job hub
Your fastest commute depends on where you work in DC. Arlington’s Metro corridors and trail network make some neighborhoods better for certain job centers.
- Downtown, K Street, Metro Center: Focus on Rosslyn, Courthouse, Clarendon, Ballston for short one-seat rides.
- Foggy Bottom and West End: Rosslyn is ideal for fast rail and bike access over the Key Bridge.
- L’Enfant Plaza, Federal Triangle, Southwest Waterfront: Southern Arlington and National Landing provide direct rail access.
- Capitol Hill, Union Station, NoMa: Orange and Silver Line corridors work well if you do not mind a transfer.
- Navy Yard: Yellow and Blue Line access from Pentagon City and Crystal City is efficient.
- Pentagon and National Landing: Pentagon City, Crystal City, and nearby neighborhoods minimize travel time.
Commute modes at a glance
Metrorail
Arlington is served by the Orange and Silver Line corridor in the north and the Blue and Yellow Line corridor in the south. Many trips into DC are a single seat or a quick transfer in the core. Peak windows run about 6:30–9:30 AM and 3:30–7:00 PM. Plan occasional schedule changes and use real-time tools for day-of updates. SmarTrip works across rail and most regional services.
Metrobus and ART
Metrobus and Arlington Transit (ART) fill the first and last mile. These routes link neighborhoods that are not within an easy walk to Metro, and some buses offer more direct trips than rail for specific origin and destination pairs. Buses are subject to road congestion during peak times, so build in buffer time on busy corridors.
Biking and micromobility
Arlington’s trail network supports practical bike commutes. The Mount Vernon Trail, Custis Trail, and the W&OD Trail connect many neighborhoods to bridges and core DC. Many riders cover 2–5 miles in 10–25 minutes depending on terrain and comfort. Bike racks, lockers, and Capital Bikeshare make bike-plus-transit an easy daily choice.
Driving
Primary routes include I-66, I-395, and the George Washington Parkway. Peak congestion is highly variable, and express lanes and HOV rules can affect cost and timing. If you plan to drive to a station, know that many Arlington stations emphasize walk, bike, and bus access rather than large parking lots.
Neighborhood-by-neighborhood highlights
Rosslyn
- Transit profile: Major transfer hub with frequent service and buses into central DC.
- Best for: Very short rail rides to downtown and Foggy Bottom, plus excellent bike access over the bridges and trail connections.
Courthouse and Clarendon
- Transit profile: Walkable to Orange and Silver Line stations with lively retail nearby.
- Best for: Short rail commutes to downtown and a vibrant neighborhood feel.
Ballston and Virginia Square
- Transit profile: Strong Orange and Silver Line access.
- Best for: One-seat rides with a few extra in-train minutes compared with Rosslyn, plus a robust retail corridor.
Crystal City, Pentagon City, National Landing
- Transit profile: Yellow and Blue Line stations with direct access to the Pentagon and quick trips to L’Enfant Plaza and downtown.
- Best for: Southern and southeastern DC hubs, federal and contractor jobs, and growing shuttle connections.
Pentagon and Pentagon City
- Transit profile: Very short trips to the Pentagon and direct service into downtown.
- Best for: Pentagon employees and those commuting to south DC clusters.
Columbia Pike, Arlington Ridge, Shirlington
- Transit profile: Fewer nearby rail stations but strong ART and Metrobus options.
- Best for: Buyers who value more suburban character and are comfortable with a bus or multimodal commute.
Westover, Bluemont, Ballston periphery
- Transit profile: Walk and bike connections to Ballston and Clarendon, plus direct access to the W&OD Trail.
- Best for: Active commuters who prefer biking or short rail rides with neighborhood retail nearby.
Typical door-to-door times
These ranges are planning guides. Exact times vary by address, transfer needs, and peak conditions.
- Rosslyn, Courthouse, Clarendon: About 20–40 minutes to many central DC hubs by rail or bike-plus-rail.
- Ballston, Virginia Square: About 25–45 minutes door to door to central DC with a one-seat ride.
- Crystal City, Pentagon, Pentagon City: Often under 20–30 minutes of in-train time to L’Enfant Plaza or downtown, plus your walk and transfer time.
- Columbia Pike and Shirlington: Often 35–60 minutes or more depending on bus frequency, transfers, or road congestion.
Pick your mode by workplace
- K Street, Metro Center, Downtown: Choose Rosslyn to Ballston for the fastest one-seat rail rides and frequent service.
- Foggy Bottom and West End: Rosslyn gives you the most direct access by rail and bike.
- L’Enfant Plaza and Southwest: National Landing and southern Arlington offer the most direct rides.
- Navy Yard: Pentagon City and Crystal City streamline the Yellow and Blue Line trip.
- Capitol Hill and NoMa: Orange and Silver Line corridors work well with a transfer in the core.
- Pentagon: Pentagon City and adjacent stations minimize commute time.
First and last mile solutions
- Bike to Metro: Use trails and station bike parking or Capital Bikeshare for quick hops.
- ART feeders: Local ART routes connect neighborhoods to rail stations throughout the day.
- Bus to job center: On some pairs, a direct Metrobus can beat a rail transfer.
- Employer options: Many agencies and private employers operate employee shuttles or support carpools and vanpools.
Plan for peak variability
Morning peak into DC is generally 6:30–9:30 AM. Evenings run 3:30–7:00 PM depending on schedules. Roads vary the most during peak, while rail is usually more predictable, though maintenance and delays do occur. If you rely on weekend travel, check for adjusted service and plan alternate routes.
Try-before-you-buy checklist
Test your real commute during a weekday peak window before you write an offer. Small differences in walk time or transfers can change your daily experience.
- Time door to door from a short list of homes to your job hub.
- Compare two modes for the same route, such as rail versus bus-plus-rail.
- Map your first and last mile: walk, bike, ART, or bikeshare.
- Identify a backup plan for service changes.
- Check lighting and comfort on any early or late bike or walk segments.
Sample commute scenarios
- Rosslyn to Downtown: Walk to Rosslyn Station and ride one stop to Foggy Bottom or continue into Metro Center with a short in-train time. Expect many central destinations within a 20–35 minute door-to-door window depending on building location.
- Pentagon City to L’Enfant Plaza: Board the Yellow or Blue Line for a direct ride. Door-to-door can be efficient if you live within a short walk of the station.
- Ballston to K Street: One-seat Orange or Silver Line ride with a few extra minutes compared to Rosslyn. Many riders budget 25–45 minutes door to door.
- Columbia Pike to Downtown: ART to Metro or a direct Metrobus depending on your exact destination. Build in extra buffer during peak periods.
Cost and convenience reminders
- SmarTrip: Use one card or app across Metro and most regional transit services. Peak pricing and transfer rules apply.
- Station parking: Limited at many Arlington stations. Most riders walk, bike, or use bus feeders.
- Driving costs: If you choose to drive, budget for tolls and express-lane charges that vary with demand.
Your next step
If a fast, reliable commute is a top priority, start by matching your DC job hub to Arlington neighborhoods that offer a one-seat ride or easy transfer. Then test the route during peak hours and confirm the first and last mile fits your daily rhythm. A few hours of testing now can save you hundreds of hours across the year.
If you want help narrowing neighborhoods by transit access, housing options, and lifestyle fit, reach out to the family team at Levin Group Real Estate for a personalized consultation.
FAQs
What is the fastest Arlington neighborhood to downtown DC?
- Rosslyn, Courthouse, and Clarendon often provide the quickest one-seat rail access to downtown and K Street. Southern hubs like Pentagon City and Crystal City are faster to L’Enfant Plaza and Navy Yard.
How long is a typical Arlington-to-DC commute by Metro?
- Many door-to-door trips from central Arlington land in the 20–40 minute range, with Ballston and Virginia Square often 25–45 minutes depending on walking time and transfers.
Is biking from Arlington into DC realistic for daily use?
- Yes for many riders. The Mount Vernon, Custis, and W&OD trails create connected routes, and typical 2–5 mile trips take roughly 10–25 minutes depending on terrain.
Which neighborhoods work if I prefer buses over rail?
- Columbia Pike, Arlington Ridge, and Shirlington have strong ART and Metrobus service. Some routes offer direct trips that can beat a rail transfer during peak.
What should I budget for if I choose to drive?
- Expect variable travel times during peak and potential express-lane or toll charges on corridors like I-66. Parking near many stations is limited, so plan alternatives if lots fill.
