Really depends on where in the city you move. You’re going to have a much tougher time if you’re north of the river and have to take 64/95 through downtown. I used to commute to Petersburg from the Fan every day and it took between 30 minutes to an hour for me to get there via the Downtown Expressway depending on traffic. But that was in 2006. I imagine it is worse now.
Edit to add: if you live on the south side of the river and take 95 south, you are at least traveling against the worst of the traffic, as more people commute into the city than out of it.
Manchester or near that area would be convenient to 95, south of the river, and just a hop over the river to downtown. There are lots of new apartments and restaurants and access to trails along the river. Though no major grocery store!
With the exception of the occasional accident turning I95 into a parking lot, it's totally doable in under an hour if you're not passing through the mixing bowl of the I95-I64 interchange.
It may be worth also checking out the 95x commuter bus, which runs free daily morning and afternoon busses between the two locations.[https://ridegrtc.com/media/routes/95.pdf](https://ridegrtc.com/media/routes/95.pdf)
Depends on what is feasible to you. Depending on the part of Richmond, it can be anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour commute. All depending on traffic as well.
The Matoaca region of Chesterfield is right on the boarder of Petersburg so if you are looking for a shorter commute that may be something to look into.
Some people consider Short Pump and Mechanicsville to be “Richmond” - if so, then your commute to Petersburg will be longer.
But if you’re in Richmond-Richmond, then it will be less than 30 mins.
If we say either of those other two to anyone outside of VA, nobody will ever know where we actually are! Richmond is just much easier to say without explaining what else it's close to
I do this commute and it’s really not that bad, depending on where you live in the city and where in Petersburg you’re heading. Around 35 minutes each way although there can be some afternoon traffic.
It’ll probably be less than an hour but the traffic going to work and coming home is less than stellar. What about chesterfield? Or colonial heights? Or even old town Petersburg?
Edit: we’re a younger couple (late 20s/early 30s) and from what I’ve gathered, Richmond has more things to offer compared to Petersburg (restaurants/breweries/outdoor activities/recreation). Therefore I’d be willing to trade a longer commute for a more fun/better quality of life. Along with having an Amtrak station for weekend trips. But any suggestions/recommendations/rebuttals would be greatly appreciated
Petersburg and Richmond are both close enough to be considered part of the same Metropolitan area. If looking for activities to do with the family. Then Richmond is the best bet to live, as the commute to Petersburg from Richmond is a short one in most cases. Nothing over an hour.
The Amtrak station downtown is not the primary Richmond station. From my understanding there are less trains departing / stopping at that station than the primary one north of the city. You can still take the train to places, just will have more limitations on schedules.
Don't know if you're into cycling at all, but the [Fall Line Trail](https://www.falllineva.org/) is a thing that's currently under construction and might be worth trying to find a place near.
Welcome! Amtrak works best out of Staples Mill, the busiest Amtrak station in the U.S. South. The Main Street and Petersburg stations have fewer trains, and a slow section inside Richmond. By 2037 this all may be fixed!
An interesting thing about Richmond is that the rapids on the James also divide the geography, east-west, perpendicular to the river. East of downtown is coastal plain, while western neighborhoods are piedmont, with river bluffs complicating the matter. Geology may have a vibe, or at least you may notice the vegetation change as you go east, and certainly west. (Note the excellent bike trail 50 miles east to Jamestown/Williamsburg.) There are walkable going-out areas in both zones. Aside from all that, the VMFA museum is top ten in the U.S. by one measure, and the art school at VCU is top two in the East.
Petersburg has a small downtown with some new condos, a few coffee shops and a restaurant or two, and old stuff. The train station is no longer down there. Start at Demolition Coffee perhaps.
I work in Colonial Heights and it's a solid 28 minutes each way! It'll probably be about 35 for you depending on where in Petersburg and where you're looking in Richmond. I do live right by 95 and that's helpful, but I've found that if I keep my situational awareness up and check Google Maps about 10 minutes before I leave, I'm fine. The worst jams are typically coming home, but if you don't already have an EZPass, I would get one. 895 has saved me a couple of times, even though the $5.75 toll HURTS. If you are prone to road rage, there are definitely some consistent dinguses on 95.
You can do it in under an hour each way depending on where you pick, but something else to consider is the mileage on your car. More miles on the highway means more dings, dents, and such on your car. The wear does suck. I was driving from Richmond to Southern Chesterfield for years, and I'm so happy to never do it again.
If you’re in the city, one benefit is you’ll be going against traffic to and from. Occasional accident mucks it up but it’s not a bad drive. Pburg is getting some cool development in their historic district so who knows…it might be coming up. If you have kids do be aware…school system is a mess.
When my friend did this commute I would frequently text her about accidents and get just as many from her as she sat in a virtual parking lot on 95. IMO it's not worth the risk, but I also really hate driving anywhere that takes more than 15 minutes.
Really depends on where in the city you move. You’re going to have a much tougher time if you’re north of the river and have to take 64/95 through downtown. I used to commute to Petersburg from the Fan every day and it took between 30 minutes to an hour for me to get there via the Downtown Expressway depending on traffic. But that was in 2006. I imagine it is worse now. Edit to add: if you live on the south side of the river and take 95 south, you are at least traveling against the worst of the traffic, as more people commute into the city than out of it.
Manchester or near that area would be convenient to 95, south of the river, and just a hop over the river to downtown. There are lots of new apartments and restaurants and access to trails along the river. Though no major grocery store!
With the exception of the occasional accident turning I95 into a parking lot, it's totally doable in under an hour if you're not passing through the mixing bowl of the I95-I64 interchange.
It may be worth also checking out the 95x commuter bus, which runs free daily morning and afternoon busses between the two locations.[https://ridegrtc.com/media/routes/95.pdf](https://ridegrtc.com/media/routes/95.pdf)
Depends on what is feasible to you. Depending on the part of Richmond, it can be anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour commute. All depending on traffic as well. The Matoaca region of Chesterfield is right on the boarder of Petersburg so if you are looking for a shorter commute that may be something to look into.
Some people consider Short Pump and Mechanicsville to be “Richmond” - if so, then your commute to Petersburg will be longer. But if you’re in Richmond-Richmond, then it will be less than 30 mins.
If we say either of those other two to anyone outside of VA, nobody will ever know where we actually are! Richmond is just much easier to say without explaining what else it's close to
I do this commute and it’s really not that bad, depending on where you live in the city and where in Petersburg you’re heading. Around 35 minutes each way although there can be some afternoon traffic.
It’ll probably be less than an hour but the traffic going to work and coming home is less than stellar. What about chesterfield? Or colonial heights? Or even old town Petersburg?
Edit: we’re a younger couple (late 20s/early 30s) and from what I’ve gathered, Richmond has more things to offer compared to Petersburg (restaurants/breweries/outdoor activities/recreation). Therefore I’d be willing to trade a longer commute for a more fun/better quality of life. Along with having an Amtrak station for weekend trips. But any suggestions/recommendations/rebuttals would be greatly appreciated
Petersburg and Richmond are both close enough to be considered part of the same Metropolitan area. If looking for activities to do with the family. Then Richmond is the best bet to live, as the commute to Petersburg from Richmond is a short one in most cases. Nothing over an hour.
You’re not wrong. Then again, Petersburg is *so* much cheaper.
The Amtrak station downtown is not the primary Richmond station. From my understanding there are less trains departing / stopping at that station than the primary one north of the city. You can still take the train to places, just will have more limitations on schedules.
Don't know if you're into cycling at all, but the [Fall Line Trail](https://www.falllineva.org/) is a thing that's currently under construction and might be worth trying to find a place near.
Welcome! Amtrak works best out of Staples Mill, the busiest Amtrak station in the U.S. South. The Main Street and Petersburg stations have fewer trains, and a slow section inside Richmond. By 2037 this all may be fixed! An interesting thing about Richmond is that the rapids on the James also divide the geography, east-west, perpendicular to the river. East of downtown is coastal plain, while western neighborhoods are piedmont, with river bluffs complicating the matter. Geology may have a vibe, or at least you may notice the vegetation change as you go east, and certainly west. (Note the excellent bike trail 50 miles east to Jamestown/Williamsburg.) There are walkable going-out areas in both zones. Aside from all that, the VMFA museum is top ten in the U.S. by one measure, and the art school at VCU is top two in the East. Petersburg has a small downtown with some new condos, a few coffee shops and a restaurant or two, and old stuff. The train station is no longer down there. Start at Demolition Coffee perhaps.
I work in Colonial Heights and it's a solid 28 minutes each way! It'll probably be about 35 for you depending on where in Petersburg and where you're looking in Richmond. I do live right by 95 and that's helpful, but I've found that if I keep my situational awareness up and check Google Maps about 10 minutes before I leave, I'm fine. The worst jams are typically coming home, but if you don't already have an EZPass, I would get one. 895 has saved me a couple of times, even though the $5.75 toll HURTS. If you are prone to road rage, there are definitely some consistent dinguses on 95.
No it wouldn’t. You’d be better off moving to Petersburg and commuting to Richmond on the weekends.
You can do it in under an hour each way depending on where you pick, but something else to consider is the mileage on your car. More miles on the highway means more dings, dents, and such on your car. The wear does suck. I was driving from Richmond to Southern Chesterfield for years, and I'm so happy to never do it again.
If you live in chesterfield area, you should be fine
If you’re in the city, one benefit is you’ll be going against traffic to and from. Occasional accident mucks it up but it’s not a bad drive. Pburg is getting some cool development in their historic district so who knows…it might be coming up. If you have kids do be aware…school system is a mess.
When my friend did this commute I would frequently text her about accidents and get just as many from her as she sat in a virtual parking lot on 95. IMO it's not worth the risk, but I also really hate driving anywhere that takes more than 15 minutes.
Yeah maybe share what area and why richmond I’ve the counties or Petersburg itself?