Commuting From Donaldson Run: DC Hubs, Routes, Timing

If a predictable commute is at the top of your wish list, you are not alone. When you are weighing a move to Donaldson Run, it helps to see how long it really takes to reach DC’s major work hubs and which routes are the most reliable. In this guide, you will find realistic timing windows, practical routes, and simple tactics that keep your door-to-desk time consistent. Let’s dive in.

Donaldson Run commute overview

Donaldson Run sits in North Arlington within the Washington–Arlington–Alexandria metro area. You have access to the Orange and Silver lines at Ballston, Virginia Square, Clarendon, and Courthouse, plus the Blue line at Rosslyn. Many residents also use local arterials and the Key, Theodore Roosevelt, and Arlington Memorial bridges to reach DC by car.

Typical work hubs for Donaldson Run include the Rosslyn to Ballston corridor, Downtown DC around Metro Center and Farragut, Foggy Bottom and Dupont, Capitol Hill and Navy Yard, and Pentagon to National Landing. If commute predictability matters, you will likely lean on Metrorail for the core of your trip and use bus, biking, or walking for the first and last mile.

Key hubs and what to expect

Rosslyn, Courthouse, Clarendon

These Arlington hubs are close and well served by the Orange and Silver lines, with Rosslyn also on the Blue line. Typical door-to-desk times range from 10 to 25 minutes, depending on how you reach the station.

Downtown DC: Metro Center, Farragut, McPherson Sq

This is the most common inbound destination from Arlington. The Orange and Silver lines often provide a single-seat ride to many downtown stops. Typical door-to-desk ranges are 25 to 45 minutes.

Foggy Bottom, Dupont, West End

These hubs draw many nonprofit and private-sector commuters. You can reach them by Metrorail, bike, or a mixed mode. Expect 20 to 40 minutes door to desk.

Capitol Hill and Navy Yard

These destinations often require a transfer. Typical door-to-desk times are 35 to 55 minutes, depending on the transfer point and final stop.

Pentagon and National Landing

You can reach the Pentagon, Pentagon City, and Crystal City by Metrorail or by car. Typical transit times are 20 to 40 minutes. Driving usually takes 12 to 30 minutes, with variability near major interchanges.

Transit: your most predictable option

Metrorail is the backbone of reliable commuting from Donaldson Run. During weekday peaks, Orange and Silver line trains commonly run every 6 to 12 minutes. Off-peak, headways often extend to 12 to 20 minutes. For precise times and routing, use the WMATA Trip Planner.

Typical door-to-desk ranges

• Rosslyn, Courthouse, Clarendon: 10–25 minutes
• Foggy Bottom, Dupont, West End: 20–40 minutes
• Downtown DC (Metro Center, Farragut): 25–45 minutes
• Capitol Hill, Navy Yard area: 35–55 minutes
• Pentagon, National Landing: 20–40 minutes

These are typical estimates that include walking, waiting, riding, and transfers. Actual times vary with service changes, maintenance, and weather. Check WMATA service alerts before you go.

Transfer tips that save time

• Choose stations with the most frequent service to your destination. A short bus ride to a higher-frequency station often beats waiting for an infrequent direct bus.
• For downtown DC, the Orange and Silver lines from Clarendon, Courthouse, or Ballston are often the most direct. Rosslyn can add Blue line options depending on the final stop.
• For Capitol Hill, transfer downtown at Metro Center or ride to a major hub like L’Enfant Plaza before changing lines.
• For the last mile, consider bikes or scooters for trips under 3 miles. Arlington’s bike and walk network makes this practical in fair weather. Review local options via Arlington’s transportation and active mobility resources.

First-mile options from Donaldson Run

• ART and Metrobus routes provide feeder service to Clarendon, Courthouse, Ballston, and Rosslyn. Explore schedules and connections on Arlington Transit (ART).
• Walking to a nearby station or stop reduces variability from traffic and parking.
• In dry months, biking or e-biking to a high-frequency station can keep your schedule tight.

Driving: bridges, routes, and buffers

North Arlington drivers reach DC through Rosslyn toward the Key Bridge or via I-66 and the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge, with local arterials feeding both. Morning inbound congestion often builds near river crossings and Rosslyn approaches. Evening patterns reverse. Incidents on I-66 or the George Washington Parkway can add 10 to 30 or more minutes.

Typical windows by car are:

• Rosslyn, Courthouse, Clarendon: 8–20 minutes outside major incidents, 15–30+ minutes in peak congestion
• Foggy Bottom, Dupont, Downtown DC: 15–40 minutes depending on bridge choice and traffic
• Capitol Hill, Navy Yard: 25–50+ minutes due to downtown congestion and longer cross-city routing
• Pentagon, National Landing: 12–30 minutes, often limited by bottlenecks near 395 and 295

For day-of accuracy, check live conditions before departure. VDOT’s statewide tool is a good starting point for incidents and closures on key corridors like I-66. See 511 Virginia. Build in a 10 to 20 minute buffer to keep arrival times consistent.

Parking, park-and-ride, and drop-offs

Parking at inner Arlington Metro stations is limited and fee-based where available. Many stations are designed for walk-in riders, not large park-and-ride lots. In Rosslyn and Clarendon, on-street parking is metered with time limits, and garages are widely available but paid.

Employer parking in downtown DC is limited and often expensive. Many commuters choose to park outside the core and ride Metrorail or bus for the last leg. If you split modes during the week, use kiss-and-ride areas near stations for drop-offs and pick-ups. For workplace specifics, contact your HR or parking office and ask about pre-tax or employer-subsidized transit benefits.

Make your commute reliable

Small planning moves can make a big difference in day-to-day predictability.

• Establish anchor times. Test your commute at least twice in each common departure window, such as 7:00, 7:45, and 8:30 AM. Record what you see.
• Choose frequency over distance. A slightly longer walk or short bus ride to a higher-frequency station like Clarendon or Rosslyn can reduce variability.
• Know your alternates. Have at least two driving routes and one transit backup for each key destination.
• Stay informed. Use real-time tools and set alerts for planned work. Check WMATA service alerts and review local route options on Arlington Transit.
• Use the time buffer rule. For arrival within 5 to 10 minutes of your target, add a 10 to 20 percent buffer to your typical median travel time.

Sample commute playbooks

Use these as starting points, then test your specific address and office.

To Downtown DC (Metro Center or Farragut)

• Take ART or Metrobus to Clarendon or Courthouse, then ride Orange or Silver directly to Metro Center or transfer as needed near your stop.
• If you bike to a high-frequency station, you can often keep the total to the lower end of the range.
• Typical door-to-desk: 25–45 minutes, depending on transfers and walking.

To Foggy Bottom or Dupont

• Ride Orange or Silver toward Rosslyn, then continue to Foggy Bottom, or transfer downtown for Dupont depending on your exact address.
• In fair weather, bike from Donaldson Run or from an Arlington station for the last mile into these hubs.
• Typical door-to-desk: 20–40 minutes.

To Capitol Hill or Navy Yard

• Ride Orange or Silver into downtown and transfer at Metro Center or L’Enfant Plaza, depending on your final stop.
• Keep an eye on headways and choose the transfer that minimizes platform wait time.
• Typical door-to-desk: 35–55 minutes.

To Pentagon or National Landing

• Ride Blue or Yellow line connections accessed via Rosslyn or Pentagon City, or use a short drive where parking is arranged.
• If driving, allow for bottlenecks near 395 and 295 and add a buffer.
• Typical times: 20–40 minutes by transit, 12–30 minutes by car.

Plan your move with confidence

A clear commute plan can remove daily stress and help you choose the right home in Donaldson Run. If you value repeatable day-to-day timing, focus on access to higher-frequency stations, simple transfers, and reliable last-mile options near your office. Test your route at the times you will actually travel, then build in a small buffer so you arrive when you intend to, every time.

If you want help pairing homes with commute realities and neighborhood amenities, let’s talk. Schedule a Free Consultation with Gabrielle Witkin for a tailored plan that fits your timeline and lifestyle.

FAQs

What is the best Metro station from Donaldson Run for a reliable commute?

• Often Clarendon, Courthouse, or Rosslyn, depending on your destination and train frequency. Choose the station with the most frequent service to your hub.

How long does a typical Donaldson Run to Downtown DC commute take?

• Expect about 25–45 minutes door to desk on Metrorail during weekdays, including walking and potential transfers.

Is biking a good last-mile option to Foggy Bottom or Dupont?

• Yes. For 1–3 mile last-mile trips, biking or scooters can be fast and predictable in fair weather, especially during peak traffic.

How much buffer time should I add to keep arrivals predictable?

• Add 10–20 percent to your median door-to-desk time if you need to arrive within a 5–10 minute window.

Will WMATA maintenance affect weekday commutes from Donaldson Run?

• It can. Service changes and maintenance occur and may alter headways or require transfers. Check WMATA service alerts before you travel.

Are there dependable park-and-ride options near inner Arlington stations?

• Parking is limited at many inner Arlington stations and often paid. Consider drop-offs, nearby garages, or combining driving with Metrorail outside the core. Check options on Arlington Transit.