Fast, Reliable Travel on the 66 Express Lanes by HOV-3+ Carpool, Vanpool, and Commuter Bus
The 66 Express Lanes are open and offering faster, more reliable travel for people riding in carpools, vanpools, and express buses. Commuters can save time and money through incentive programs, discounts, and new service offerings that help move more people in the I-66 corridor.
Note that High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) rules on I-66 have changed as of Dec. 5, 2022. Vehicles will need to have three or more occupants to qualify as HOV to travel on the 66 Express Lanes without paying a toll. This change from HOV-2+ to HOV-3+ applies across the entire I-66 corridor including the 22.5-miles of 66 Express Lanes located outside the Beltway, as well as the nine miles of 66 Express Lanes located inside the Beltway between I-495 and Route 29 in Rosslyn, which operate on weekdays during peak periods in peak commute directions. The change also applies to the section of I-66 between Haymarket and Gainesville.
This HOV change establishes consistent requirements across Northern Virginia’s Express Lanes network on I-66, I-95, I-495, and I-395 providing seamless, reliable travel for carpool, vanpool, and commuter bus travelers. Learn more about this HOV change here.
66 Express Lanes – Changing the Way You Move
Save time, money, and stress by taking the bus on the 66 Express Lanes with fast, reliable service between park and ride lots, employment centers, and transit connections.
Half-price fares are available on OmniRide I-66 bus routes from Gainesville and Manassas providing roundtrip service for less than $7 per day. New bus service launched Dec. 12, 2022, from the new Balls Ford lot to Dulles Corridor/Herndon/Reston.
Several Fairfax Connector bus routes use the 66 Express Lanes to provide service to Metrorail stations and employment centers in Northern Virginia and Washington. The new Route 660 launched Feb. 6, 2023, serving Stone Road Park and Ride, Fairfax County Government Center, Vienna Metro, and Tysons Corner Metro.
Vanpooling provides an economical option for longer commutes and is faster and more reliable using the 66 Express Lanes. Companies can give vanpoolers up to $280 in tax-free transportation benefits each month.
Learn more about starting or joining a vanpool here.
The region’s Commuter Connections’ Pool Rewards program provides up to $130 for new carpoolers through a trip-tracking process. Commuters who join or start a three-person carpool can receive a cash reward after three months. Get started!
Avoid commuting altogether by working remotely or teleworking. Check with your employer to learn about telework options. For employers interested in establishing a telework program, Virginia’s Telework!VA program provides technical advice, on-site assistance, and financial incentives.
All travel options are eligible for Commuter Connections’ Guaranteed Ride Home program.
Local Support
Local governments across Virginia have their own long-standing programs and expertise helping employers and residents with their commutes. In Northern Virginia that includes Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties.
HOV Changes on I-66
Changes to HOV regulations on I-66 have been planned for years as part of the effort to move more people in the I-66 corridor. The change in HOV designation from HOV-2+ to HOV-3+ on I-66 Outside the Beltway from University Boulevard in Gainesville to I-495 (Capital Beltway) was approved by the Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) in July 2016. This change supports the public interest by reducing the number of vehicle miles traveled, reducing travel times, increasing speeds in the express lanes and general-purpose lanes, and complying with the federal Clean Air Act Amendment of 1990. This HOV-3+ policy is consistent with the National Capital Region’s Transportation Planning Board policy since 2010 to increase the occupancy requirements on HOV lanes in the region to HOV-3+.
