When local media, including this site, discuss our countless transportation and traffic problems, it is often to be described as D.C.-Metro or Washington-area congestion. However, statistics indicate that something along the lines of Va./Md.-Metro area congestion might be a more appropriate description.

Eric Weiss, the Post’s new transportation reporter, has kicked off his duties with articles exploring several recent studies on commuting trends across the region and the nation. He reported last week that the potential savings on housing prices in farther-out suburbs could be outweighed by the cost of commuting and living in a spread-out landscape that requires a car trip for the smallest errand. He followed up today, pointing out that Virginia and Maryland have, on average, the nation’s greatest proportion of lengthy commutes. While the District may be the geographical center of the region, it seems that Virginia and Maryland are closer to the center of the problem.

Photo by jtowns