Sustainable Access Score
A+
Located in the heart of Clarendon, Trader Joe's is very accessible with all kinds of sustainable mobility. Whether you are getting off the Metro after work or are just in the area, this is one of the most convenient grocery stores to access in Arlington. Walking to Trader Joe's is a breeze. With wide sidewalks, curb cuts, and ample crosswalks, N Highland St and the Clarendon neighborhood are great for pedestrians.
There are four nearby bus routes that operate at least six days per week, in addition to the Clarendon Metro station. Metrobus 38B and ART 41 provide frequent east-west connections paralleling the Metro. ART routes 41, 42, and 77 provide all day connections to South Arlington, including Columbia Pike, Shirlington, and Pentagon City. During peak periods, the ART 56 is available to reach the northernmost part of our county via Military Rd and the Fort Meyer Heights neighborhood. There are even OmniRide services to Prince William County. The bus stops on Clarendon Blvd and Wilson Blvd also have shelters and benches. The only thing missing is better access to real time bus information.
Regarding micromobility, Trader Joe's is fairly easy to access. The closest Capital Bikeshare station is located right next to the Clarendon Metro entrance, and there are three more within a three block radius. If you want to use your own bike or scooter, there are a number of bike racks near the store, with some directly next to the main entrance. If the closest bike racks are all taken, there are dozens more across the street by the metro entrance. All the bike racks are located in well lit and visible areas, being placed along N Highland St and Clarendon Blvd. The experience of cycling or scooting to Trader Joe's can vary a lot depending on what route you take. Right around the store, N Highland St can be a bit challenging with all the car traffic and lack of any bike lanes, but once you get North of Wilson Blvd or South of 10th St, N Highland St becomes a lot more comfortable to cycle on. Clarendon Blvd and Wilson Blvd both have bike lanes, but they are mostly unprotected, making cycling on them pretty uncomfortable. N Garfield St and 11th St N can serve as safer alternatives, but can be a bit inconvenient to use depending on your destination. It would be much better to cycle or scoot to Trader Joe's if there were safer and more direct east-west bike routes.
Overall, Trader Joe's is one of the best grocery stores in Arlington with regards to sustainable mobility access. Walking to Trader Joe's is very easy and pedestrian-friendly. Transit service is phenomenal, with a variety of all day bus and rail options to areas across the county. Cycling or scooting is also pretty easy, with a variety of parking options available and a few comfortable cycling routes.
Walking - 4 points (A)
Entrance directly from sidewalk (don't have to cross parking lot) (2 points)
Have to cross parking lot to enter, but there's a dedicated place to walk (striped walkway, etc) (1 point)
Adjacent sidewalk is even, comfortably wide, has curb ramps where necessary, and has street trees and street lights (1 point)
Not adjacent to a 4+ lane road, or if it is then there is a controlled crossing of that road on the same block (signal, stop sign or HAWK) (1 point)
Biking & Scooting - 4 points (A)
Nearby bike racks (1 point)
Nearby bike racks have 2 points of contact for each bike & enough clearance to be easily usable (no wave racks, no wheelbender racks, no racks jammed right up against a building) (1 point)
Nearby Capital Bikeshare Station (1 point)
Adjacent protected bike lane, trail, or quiet neighborhood street (1 point)
Transit - 5 points (A+)
Nearby bus stop (1 point)
Nearby bus stop has a shelter and a bench (1 point)
Served by a Bus Line that comes at least every 15 minutes and runs 7 days per week (1 point)
Served by at least 2 bus lines with different destinations (1 point)
BONUS! Bonus point for being SO CLOSE to MetroRail! (1 point)