You only have 1 rout, the way you went, unless you learn all of the back roads in NOVA..I know them all since I grew up over there but trying
to explain them to you is worthless, you have to pull google maps up, and study the roads, then take them, thats the best way to learn them lol
You might want to get a ezpass, and take the express lanes at springfield, its totally worth it and you can get right off at Lee Highway, and take a left, which dumps you right into Merrifield.
Going to 66 is the long rout, you need to get off at lee highway
What time do you go to work anyway? I leave every day at 445am and go up 210 to goto Alexandria/Old Town, no traffic then lol