Why Richmond Virginia DOES NOT Have a FULL Beltway | The Richmond Beltway
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- Опубліковано 10 гру 2022
- Many other cities have full beltway loops around them but Richmond does not. On this video we will explore why this is the case.
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Roads of the Future: Richmond Beltway
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PS: Henrico county Is pronounced HEN-RYE-CO. And Laburnum Ave is pronounced LUH-BURN-UM. Just to give heads up incase there is confusion.
Thank you. I was looking to see if anyone else caught those bad pronunciations. It almost hurt my ears, hearing it.
Or: hen-RIKE-oh and luh-BURN-um. Some of my family moved to and have lived in the Richmond metro area most of their lives and have also taught me to say Parham Road correctly...... PAIR-um
@@JArtMiller yeah Parham really confuses outsiders. I was in the Army with a few people with that name. They laughed because I refused to say "Par-ham".
And let’s not get started on Powhite!! 😂😂
this. this is the comment thread i was looking for. lol
p.s. i'm from henrico.
Finally, someone addresses my questions about the fractured Richmond Beltway! Well done. I love the view especially of the clock tower on I-95 in downtown Richmond (the reason for that dangerous curve!) but generally use I-295 when headed south. When headed north, no way I want to get clogged at I-295 and I-95 on the north side, so I tend to take US 360 to US 301, or just take US 301 north - a much more relaxing drive.
It’s even more relaxing to walk or bike.
@@shivtim- absolutely true!
I’m from King George county when I’m leaving Richmond I always drive on US Route 301 to go home
My mom takes 360 as well and says the same. I find it more cumbersome than the highway 😂
@@shivtim it's even more Relaxing in my Honda Civic w nice heat and some coffee or Mountain dew. 🤗
I've used 895 a lot. It's great to get to the airport. 295 is great for by passing 95 traffic. You can actually follow 295 to the end, jump on 95 north to take the 85 south exit few miles up. Used to do that to get from 295 to 460 West as a teen. But this was a great video for sure.
B/C I’m old enough to remember….I95 used to have multiple toll stations both north and south bound. 295 and 288 did not exist, so there was no (good) option around the city. There were always backups at the toll booths and holiday travel was a nightmare getting through RVA back then.
I never knew they had told booths.
Lifetime Richmond resident here...
At the northwest end of 150, you get to Parham Rd. It is basically a four-lane road with a million traffic lights, but combined with 150, it completes another small loop around Richmond. Toward the end of Parham north of Richmond, it loops around back to Route 1, I-95, and ends at 301. No one would ever take this loop around Richmond because Parham is mostly a four-lane road with lights and median, but I often wonder if Parham was originally intended to become upgraded to a freeway like 150.
288 is a pretty good highway, but they should have built three lanes instead of two lanes each way. It is definitely getting more congested as the years go on, especially once you get to the Hull Street exit heading north.
Friends don't let friends use 895 unless you have to due to the high cost of the toll. If you live in western Chesterfield and need to go to the airport, it's cheaper to go through the city, but traffic is not an issue if you take 150 to 895.
I used to live in Chester, back then the only time I had ever taken 895 was when I was running late for a flight lol
has 288 gotten congested? i remember in the early '00s how smooth it was driving through a high-speed freeway with light traffic. last time i used it was in 2019. traffic was noticeably heavier, but it was still manageable. (i live in atlanta now, so just about any road in rva is a walk in the park to me lol)
@@GraysonMejia during rush hour it certainly is, it’s the worst near the bull street and midlo thuan turnpike exits but still better than taking 95 if it’s not too out the way
“Friends don’t let friends use 895”. 😂
Friends don't let friends use 895 is SO true!
I moved to Short Pump about a year and a half ago and was struck by the lack of a continuous beltway. However, I have found traffic in Richmond to be extremely light in general even with these weird layouts (I came from from Houston, TX and travel every few months to DC and north on the east coast). 288 may be one of the favorite highways I have ever driven on - good condition, nice wide 2 lane highway, very little traffic.
I-64 forms part of the beltway with the 8-lane segment between VA-288 and I-295, with seamless freeway grade connections between them.
traffic is horrible on 288 down by Hull Street every single day. 4-6:30pm is a ClusterF. Short Pump area doesn't get bad but come down a few miles and you'll rethink that statement
My experience with 895 is that we only use it if we’re late to the airport lol. I295 has really only been useful if your trying to reach 64 E.
I remember my parents accidentally running into the 895 interchange off of va 5 and they had to turn around cuz they didn’t want to pay the toll 💀
@obggamer6530 I believe it that toll is insane! Every other toll I can think of is 75 cents or less and that mfer was $4 last I paid it (in this vid he showed $5.xx!!!) We def could have put that bridge in a better/more usable spot funny private funding was able to help that project but then they turn around and charge five dollar tolls...
Normally when I'm driving up from Florida, I'll choose either I-95 or I-295 depending on what I want to see and do along the way. However sometimes I think I'd also like to try VA 895 just for the experience.
@DTD110865 ain't nun but a 5$ toll bro it going to to be a bank account experience 😂
Love the RVA representation! I always liked driving on I-295. I would only drive on it on the weekends, but it was always very empty. Can't believe it's 8 lanes at some points!
A lot of people view those eight lanes as their own personal race track. Definitely have to watch out on that section. It should have been six or even four lanes.
Great video. My grandmother was a tour guide at Tuckahoe Plantation and I always remember her telling me about how they had planned to tear it down to build a highway, but it was fought off. Great too see a comprehensive video explaining the entire context of why our highways are so disconnected. Also, it’s pronounced hen-rye-co county.
La-BURN-um Turnpike. And Var-EYE-nuh when you get to those. 😄
Only natives of the area pronounce these words like that...Me and my mom was having that discussion just Saturday tho
I've lived in the RVA for 27 years. Haven't used 895 once. Now Va195 and I-195 are useful during rush hour along with the powhite and when you need to get to western Chesterfield
It might be helpful if VDOT put up travel times electronic signs before the I-295 split on both ends of I-95 so travelers know which way is best depending on traffic conditions.
I know there is one on I-95 SB approaching I-295 in Hanover County.
VDOT has them before the 64 295 split
They do, but times seem sketchy!
As a trucker I can tell you i295 is almost the same if not faster as going straight up 95 through downtown, my thinking is If you don't really have to go to Richmond why not just bypass it...
They do! On both southbound near Ashland and northbound near Petersburg. Unless there is an accident, it is usually faster to take 95 through the city.
Terrific video on these routes. As a person that travels between Florida and DC a lot I’d suggest while 295 is about 3 miles longer if you use it as a bypass around the city of Richmond, it is signed as 70MPH whereas I-95 between Petersburg past downtown Richmond is, 55-60mph.
I've been travelling that same route a lot (live in DC and Dad in FL has had a series of health crises) and my nav system almost always has me take the 295 bypass in both directions, except at the height of the pandemic restrictions, when I made DC - Richmond in less than 2 hours and there was basically no traffic.
Yes but NOBODY does 55-60 in downtown Richmond unless there's massive traffic slowing them down. It's 80 and up on 95 into Richmond, at least it was when I lived there.
@@Greg0874 A lot of truth to what you say, but the one thing about going I-95 straight through is that when you get to Petersburg and I-85 joins in the traffic is much heavier all the way through Richmond up until I-64 W. comes in. Meanwhile, when you take I-295 it’s basically two lanes until Hopewell, three lanes until I-64 then FOUR lanes until you get to I-95 again but all at 70mph. You never worry about not going at least the posted 70mph or faster unless a 👮♀️ with radar. NO congestion at all unless it’s a accident somewhere. I-95 straight through between Petersburg and north Chamberlayne exit in Henrico can be iffy to maintain posted speed limits of 55-60mph.
traffic is also lighter. much lighter.
@@Greg0874 and there are always troopers and henrico county running radar too.
Not mentioned in this video but did you guys know Powhite Parkway (76) is supposed to be extended to the southwest to meet up with 360 near the Metro Richmond Zoo? The growth and traffic along 360 west of 288 is the worst during rush hour. In its current state it's basically a giant cul-de-sac so hopefully if that route ever gets built it'll help alleviate some of the congestion.
I grew up in a neighborhood off 360 a few miles west of the exit, that Walmart was built while I was a teen and I guess the shopping centers have only expanded further west. Last time I was over there I was cursing like hell at the traffic, I forgot how I used to have to drive around there.
Extending 76 all the way to the zoo though would take a while especially if they haven't even started it yet, I'd imagine the traffic will only get so much worse that by the time it's open it'll barely make a dent.
@@SupahGeck Yeah there's been a ton of talk about it but no action. That would 100% relieve traffic off of Hull St west of 288 since people would more likely take Powhite to connect to 288... hopefully one today... There was also once a proposal of where the proposed powhite ends, they would build another freeway connecting to 95... but I can never see that happening
They have enough open space to make the connection, but they better do it soon before that area expands and develops like Short Pump did or they'll have another 295/288 disconnection problem.
@@djtaldragon I think the big problem would be Magnolia green and those neighborhoods on Otterdale Rd trying to expand, but I think their future expansion plans revolve around the extension, so I don't think it'd be a big problem... hopefully.
My old school like a long time ago was next to the zoo. Winterpock and courthouse rd is bad when rush hour hits in my opinion.
Very good explanation. A few points for accuracy: Henrico is pronounced HenRYEko (despite what the GPS says) with emphasis on the second syllable. Laburnum is pronounced LuhBURnum.
Hahaha this bothered me so much! It's gotta be hard though, I clicked because it was about Richmond so of course I'ma know all the pronounciations, but for someone not from the area how would they even know?
At least he didn't mention Powhite. I've heard at least five different pronunciations for that road from Richmonders, much less outsiders.
I’m here for the comments and was thinking the same thing! I could tell this guy is not from here but he speaks so knowledgeably and had me fooled for a bit. 😅
I was just about to say this lol
No one uses 895. It’s Hen rye co And it La Burn um. I live near the airport and often use 295 to get to the west end. Where 64 and 95 use the same road is always a cluster. The merge of 295 traffic both north and east of the city on 95 and 64 is an issue Traffic compared to other cities is generally light
About a month ago, I drove across from Williamsburg to Lynchburg. Using Waze, it actually had us take 64 west to 295 as a bypass around Richmond before reconnecting with 64 to Charlottesville.
I use it all the time.
I live in Lynchburg and a lot of people use that exact route to go to Williamsburg/Va. Beach. Typically I take 460 to 307 to 360 and then head south on 288 to 95. I then use 10 to cut through to 295 and then 64East. Seems complicated but isn't that bad.
I grew up in Chesterfield and now live in downtown Richmond, I know all these roads and routes by heart and yet never stopped to think about how weird it is that we don't have a real beltway. Thanks for giving me a new perspective on my home for the last 20 years.
My observations: 288 is the lifeblood of southern suburban Chesterfield, it even goes to Short Pump Mall (part of the John Rolfe Pkwy suburban area) which was much more of a destination for suburbanites than downtown, at least growing up.
295 is almost completely useless to me, I've only used it when I was working in Short Pump commuting from downtown on the rare occasion that 64 West was crazy backed up and somehow 95 was clear.
I'd never considered how inaccesible 295 was to 85 but it makes sense now why there's always so much traffic on 95 northbound through the city, it's the 85-95 mixed traffic, and worse the downtown expressway exits onto 95 N downtown so also gets backed up constantly as mergers try to fight for a lane.
Honestly I'm against most highway expansions I mean 895 is a total joke and waste of money, I'd like to see less cars in general, but knowing that a connector down south for 85 to 295 could fix downtown traffic I'm all for it.
Also let's not discount the racist history that determined who's neighborhoods would have highway access and who's would get bulldozed.
I guess traffic from 85 could hop on 95S for a few miles before hopping on 295N, but it probably seems counterintuitive to go S to go N.
You did a great job with this video! The I-295 route from East I-64 going around Richmond to reconnect with I-64 to Charlottesville is great during high-traffic periods in Richmond on I-64. One of the points that needs to be mentioned is that I-95 through Richmond used to have a toll booth which was TERRIBLE and slowed down traffic for many years due to the congestion between the I-64 and I-95 combined route for several miles. Also, I-95 had toll booths along it's southern route below Richmond until Petersburg, which was OBNOXIOUS!!! The Route 288 West of Richmond is WONDERFUL!!! The I-895 tolls are terrible!
Thanks.
It is usually faster to use 295 instead of 64 when passing through the area. It’s also helpful coming southbound from 95 and you want to take 64 east. It’s shorter and has much less traffic than having to go through the city
Since I’ve started driving, I’ve seen 295 stopped once for a wreck. Literally once in 8 years driving in it every day and visiting the area for the last 11 years regularly. Traffic has gotten thicker the past several years but it is still nothing compared to the joint 64-95 section downtown. I despise that stretch of Highway.
Never been to Richmond VA metropolitan area. But definitely an interesting video on how the alternative routes plan didn’t exactly work out for the Richmond VA metropolitan area.
From Northern Virginia to Atlanta I take 29 all the way through. Pleasant and scenic drive and no Quantico nonsense!
As both a lifelong resident of the I-64 corridor and alumnus of a Richmond college, I've extensively used these roads...
YES, I use I-295 to bypass I-64 through downtown Richmond almost everytime I go through there. It maintains a 70 MPH speed versus I-64, which eventually drops to 55 MPH and it avoids the cluster f of an interchange that forces I-64 west to blind merge into I-95 or into an exit only lane with 1/4 mile to merge over. Not to mention trying to merge back off right at an extremely busy surface street on ramp merge point. The only time I use I-64 through downtown is in December after dusk heading east because you get a nice view of downtown lit up for the holidays.
YES I have used VA 895. But, only when I was living in Chesterfield and was going to Busch Gardens (Williamsburg) or the beach on I-64 east. Rather than take I-95 up into downtown and then take I-64, it puts you onto I-295 just south of I-64, so it cuts like 15 minutes off. But again, it's really only useful for that link between southside Richmond and I-64 east (or the airport). Otherwise, any of the free roads will get you where you're going just as well. It's also worth mentioning this road is in contrast to Virginia route numbers. Virginia primary routes use 1-599 and do not repeat. Virginia secondary routes (sometimes called county routes) use 600-999 and repeat county-by-county. So, being an 800 number and a primary route breaks those rules.
One more thing to point out, VA 288 is very frequently used between I-64 west and I-95/I-85 south. Again, it has a higher speed limit than I-64 or I-95 through downtown Richmond, it cuts out a few miles, and it's super easy to merge on/off with both ends being in suburban parts of the metro. The only tricky thing is around rush hour, sections between the James River and Courthouse Road can jam due to the large volume of suburbanites using it as a path to the Powhite Parkway (VA 76) to get to downtown.
Thanks for the info! Other than your mispronunciation of "Henrico" and "Laburnum" (us locals are weird about our weird names, lol) I enjoyed the explanation. I knew 288 came much later than 295 but always wondered why they never really connected.
As an Uber driver in RVA I'm on these roads all the time. 295 is most definitely used more as an East/West bypass for 64 more than a North/South bypass, unless you're heading way outside the city. The big positive draw for 295 is the 70 MPH speed limit, vs 55 MPH through most of the city. During the day and with all the road construction/bridge repair right now in the city it can definitely be much slower going through downtown on 95, but honestly its better to pay the toll on the 195 Downtown Expressway rather than go all the way out to 295.
895 can be a small time saver if you're heading to the Airport or 64 E from the south, but unless there's a serious backup on 95 North, it's usually better to just save your money and take 95N through the city, even at the reduced speed limits. I mean you're talking paying the equivalent of 2 gallons of gas just to save yourself 5 minutes.
I grew up and live in the Richmond area, and can confirm your thoughts expressed in the video. 295 is a great road to bypass 64 in either direction due to numerous lanes and speed limits that are 15mph faster. 288 is similarly useful, but only if you live on the western side of the metro area. In the span of two decades I've probably used 895 and the southern most portion of 295 a grand total of 2 times in my entire life, so cannot speak too much to their usefulness.
895 is great but the toll is $5 smh
I live here and after watching a video a while ago about beltways, I had this question. Thanks for answering it!
Love learning new stuff about things like this.
288 is a gem.
Insightful video!
Great informative videos you have sir
This is super informative, thanks. I’m a trucker and I live in Chesterfield but am originally from Hampton Roads area. 3 evening a week, I drive a dedicated account from a location in Mechanicsville (accessible by Parham Rd exit on 95 just barely north of the city, or by an exit on 295. It’s in that area where 295 meets 64 and 95) with a destination of Charlotte NC and an immediate return trip to Mechanicsville. I typically leave out by taking 295s, taking exit 9 for VA 36 toward Ft. Lee. Passing the base, there is an exit for I 85. This is the simplest way to access 85. VA 10 is too heavily traveled by commuters from Amazon and Niagara warehouses located in the meadowville tech center that only outlets on 295 or 10. The road is mostly two lanes and has several other issues. In short, it’s usually a bad idea and often leads to long delays. It’s is a frustration to chesterfield county’s plan to make a central warehouse/freight hub to route truck traffic off county roads and onto 295. There is also the option to take 295 to I-460, continue straight and it turns into a ramp that joins the 95/85 split. It takes longer and the exit and merge onto 85 involves a short and tight on ramp with a left side merge to the right at the same time a right lane ends. Both sides merge to the middle at the same time. In my tractor trailer, right side is my blind side so it’s a treacherous choice. On my return trip, I take 85 to 95 and just drive through the city. Traveling 64 from Hampton to DC, it’s still 95. Only time I would use 295 is destination Charlottesville or other places on 64 or 81. I used to pick up daily from a location by Richmond airport on airport drive and even then, I only took 895 twice-once to avoid a major accident at 95/64 interchange while heading to Ashland. Other time was just spite to cost the company a ton in cmv tolls. That road is outrageous to drive a truck on. It’s like $50 to drive a few miles.
Virginia Resident here.
You are correct that 295 gets the majority of its use as a bypass for I-64 traffic heading East/West around the city. Most notably the busiest stretch of the entire "beltway" is the Northeast section where I-64 travelers coming from Norfolk/Virginia Beach can easily access I-95 North towards Washington DC and vice versa.
I feel compelled to point out that while the thru-traffic experience for I-95 travelers going through Downtown Richmond seems blissful, the same cannot be said for thru-travelers of I-64 who try to go through Downtown Richmond, as they have to deal with the merging hell of getting on/off its congruence with I-95. Combine that with the tight curves of a highway designed in the 1950's, and it's a no-brainer why 295 is a popular Northern bypass for I-64 travelers.
Despite its lack of popularity, 895 actually ends up being a necessary evil depending on where you're going. As others have pointed out, it's the fastest way for residents of Chesterfield County (Southwest of the city) to access Richmond International Airport. In addition to this, it is also a necessary evil for those who frequently travel between Chesterfield County & points Eastward, such as if you're trying to access I-64 towards Norfolk-Virginia Beach from places like Midlothian. It is often the fastest route recommended by GPS and while the alternate routes only take a few extra minutes, they either add a good amount of mileage, or they take you through the chaos & merging nightmares of Downtown Richmond which most Virginia travelers are keen to avoid. For me at least, 895 is worth the absurd price they charge simply because it does a great job keeping the crazy drivers away, plus you can't beat the fact there will NEVER be any traffic jams!
A crazy recent development is that they are actually DOUBLING the capacity of SR-10 between 295 & 95 by making it 8-10 LANES WIDE simply because of how many cheapskates are avoiding the toll on 895.
I drive all these roads on a daily basis. Easiest way to join I-85 from South of Petersburg to points East of I-95 toI-295, I-64 and I-95 North of Richmond is to take I-95 South from I-85 a short distance to pick up the beginning of I-295 Northbound. This provides access to Petersburg, Colonial Heights, Hopewell, I-64, Richmond International, Mechanicsville, and on to I-95 North and I-64 West of Richmond. On this route, you will pass: RT 10, RT 5, RT 60, RT 156, RT 360, RT 301, and RT 1 East of I-95.
I have used I-295 one time between Raleigh/Durham, Greensboro or Charlotte. And that was because Waze took me and the girlfriend to a route that dropped us on south of the 95 & 295 split. It was worth it, traffic wise, avoiding Richmond.
I enjoyed your video due to the presentation of the history of roads in the area. I moved to Richmond in 2018 and wondered why there is no beltway similar to what I had in Columbus Ohio. It didn't take me long to learn to avoid 895 due to the tolls. In 2018, the toll to cross the James River was $4.20. Today it's more than $5! Due to the toll I travel to downtown to cross the river at 14th. I do enjoy using I-295 as a by pass for city traffic. I use the road to skirt around the city and "drop down" using inbound roads to get to my destination in the city. Works perfect for me. Again thank you for your video.
As a Richmond Metro resident, the main selling point I remember about the Highway That Was Supposed To Be Interstate 895, was that it would make it easier for South of the James residents, especially in Chesterfield County, to get to Richmond International Airport, which is in the eastern part of Henrico County. Problem is the toll (Which, as of this writing in December 2022 is between $3 and $5) and the fact that depending on where you are South of the River and volume of I-95 northbound traffic, it doesn't necessarily make that much of a difference in the ETA to RIC or 295.
Interstate 295 is great if you're traveling to Short Pump from the east and want to cut out the middleman (the heavy bottleneck of the 64/95 overlap that cuts through Downtown and the heavyish traffic in Henrico's near West End) as well as vice versa. I think 288, especially the 288 Extension, is a gift and curse: Gift because it provides a limited-access freeway to 95 and 64, curse because it probably was the cataylst for all the massive sprawl that surrounds it, especially in that Hull Street/US Route 360 corridor in Southwestern Chesterfield.
This is a random treat, I'm from RVA
Love the video! We go weekly to biweekly on I-295 from just north of Richmond down I-85. The easiest and most fuel efficient way to connect the 2 is to use the US-460 cut over. It is recent back open, and although it has 2-3 stoplights, there is no toll, and is MUCH EASIER and safer to negotiate with a boat trailer than going through the windy I-95 through downtown Richmond. It only adds 2 minutes to our route.
I was born in Richmond and had a fascination with limited-access highways and the interstate system since I was 4. I am 32, a train enthusiast, and live in Philadelphia now; you just fed my memory banks with this video, including some history I never knew! My childhood Virginia road trip nostalgia rush is unmatched! Thanks Mileage Mike! I've been on every mile of limited access highway in the region as a child passenger, except VA-895, which was under construction when I grew up nearby in the early 90s. I still haven't been on 895 to this day. The Varina Enon is my favorite bridge in the region. Keep these great narrated videos coming!
Thanks for the video! As a transplant I noticed the system had an incompleteness to it. It gave me a “ran out of money or politics “ vibe and you confirmed that. I live in Suffolk VA and commute to DC a lot to visit family. I use the 295 all the time to by pass Richmond. I also use US 301 frequently to avoid I95 at Fredericksburg.
Really love you channel.
Everyone is correcting you about Henrico and laburnum, good on you for getting Chippenham right.
As an east end resident, I can't help but giggle that those in the west end created their own problem and now they have to deal with it.
ayyyy my hometown. neat insight. glad to know we're special in that less efficient way lol
Wow, somebody made a video about my daily dilemma... I do window washing all throughout the Richmond area and the transfer from VA-288 to I-295 is a frequent annoyance to me. Now I know how it got that way. Thanks!
There's a number of other fractured roads Richmonders use as a beltway. There's an actual Belt Boulevard in Richmond that runs from Forest Hill to Manchester that seems to have been an early attempt at a beltway judging from the name. Then there's VA-150, which turns into Parham Road on the north side of the James and circles around Richmond all the way to US-301, which is great for westward circumvention if you don't mind stoplights.
Most people who use VA-288 or VA-76 seem to do so for commuting/shopping purposes, to get from Chesterfield/Amelia to Short Pump/Downtown. I suppose VA-288 would also be a good bypass for someone heading from, say, Petersburg to Charlottesville. But yeah, the planned expansion of VA-76 to US-360 indicates to me that highway planners in Richmond are more interested in getting people in town to other parts of town rather than getting long distance travelers through Richmond quickly.
And yeah, VA-895 is expensive, but sometimes I drive over it anyway just to enjoy the view from that bridge. It's pretty intense. You can find the whole interchange from the window seat in a passenger jet. It's quite large.
All in all, I rather enjoy the way I-95 takes you straight through the heart of Richmond. I find it rather boring driving south along that interstate, where it seems to avoid getting into downtown areas until Jacksonville.
Great video. I Live in the Richmond Area and I appreciate the history of these roads. I live in Chesterfield near the Powhite Pkwy (VA 76) and I work In Henrico. I use the Powhite to north 288 all the way to I-64 East to I-295 north before getting off on Nuckols road to my office. Its quite a journey of nearly 25 mins with no traffic. Good thing I only have to do it twice a week since I work from home most of time.
895 is only used by me when I am late going to the Airport. Never use it coming back from airport.
I grew up South of Richmond and remember watching 288 being built, once it was built we used it a lot, and I still use it a Iot, I do like using 295 to go around the city because traffic through Downtown on 95 at both 64 interchanges can get congested and between those two interchanges is where most of the accidents on 95 through Downtown happen. 295 is also good for people driving from the airport to Short Pump. 895 is only used if you have an emergency and you need to get from Chesterfield to Henrico or Hanover counties fast or you are trying to get to the Airport Fast from Chesterfield, due to how much it cost to go down 895, if the toll on it wasn’t so high more people would probably use it, but because of the cost most people would rather not take the route.
The merge from 64 E onto 95 used to be the worst and caused so many accidents. So glad they finally fixed it.
It’s not fixed.
As someone who has lived in various locations in and north of Richmond, the 295 section north of 64 is incredibly convenient. As is 288 leading to different points to the southwest and southside of Richmond.
When going through Richmond, it's just a matter of timing: If you are traveling during rush hours, the 95/64 interchange can be a nightmare, as one would expect. That's when the alternative routes become appealing. Non-rush hour, the direct route on 95 and 64 is usually the quickest.
Great content. I really like your videos.
I live in southwest VA and visit both Richmond and the tidewater area frequently. Typically I take 64 straight through the city rather than taking 295 around the city. As mentioned in your video I enjoy the views and typically it is just as fast I feel!
I know I live near Richmond, Virginia but If VDOT was to have the idea earlier, The thing I would recommend is for I-295 to complete a whole loop for travelers (especially trucks) to get from I-64 east to I-85 south or I-85 north to I-64 west if VA-288 wasn’t to be placed on the west part of Richmond. Also that would mean that exits would be changed and I was hoping for some open land to place that other part for I-295.
Great Video
Best usage of a beltway is typically if you're changing from an East-West Interstate to North-South Interstate without having to drive through downtown of any city. You're almost never going to use a beltway as a bypass unless you're expecting to fight rush hour traffic.
What would be nice is if there was a bypass for all the I-95 traffic between Richmond and DC. It always gets congested in the dumbest of locations. Checking the map right now, there's considerable backup going into Woodbridge in both directions... it's Sunday evening...
US 301 with its new bridge will be a vast improvement over 95 through Fredericksburg.
@NJDevil KU13 That doesn’t help traffic going in and out of DC via 95.
@@Fools_Requiem Its designed to avoid dc,.Fredericksburg, and Richmond (via 295).
@NJDevil KU13 Fredericksburg was never really an issue when I traveled I95 between Richmond and DC, it was some area between Kings Dominion and Fredericksburg and Woodbridge. A DC bypass isn't going to help anything when much of the traffic is trying to go in and out of DC.
Also, a true DC and Richmond bypass would be to make US 13 an Interstate and have it continue along Rt 17 through to Savanah.
20 miles past Richmond on 95N all bets are off, same with coming back, my little bro lived off the DC beltway and coming to visit could take anywhere from 2-5 hours depending on how 95 felt that day. Supposedly the Richmond train station will have 4 daily trains to/from DC by 2025 going to a train every 75 minutes by 2030, but I haven't followed up to see how far along they are. We have a terribly congested highway and a fancy, criminally underused train station, seems like a no brainer
Great video and history lesson.
Pronunciation guide: Henrico is henRYEco
Laburnam Ave. is lahBURNam
Some traffic observations:
1. Rt. 288 is a four-lane road and very congested during rush hour; to be avoided if possible but there aren't any decent alternatives. It's used heavily by truck traffic coming east from US 60 and US 360 to destinations south.
2.. I hate 95 through the city, it's twisting and very congested in the section where 95 and 64 share the same 3 lanes. Also very prone to serious accidents. I take the Downtown Expressway/Powhite Pky. as a bypass, although there is a $.70 toll and it takes a couple of minutes longer. I live in Lakeside so I have the choice when going home to take 64W to Staples Mill Rd or 95N to the Hermitage Rd./Lakeside Ave. exit. When I lived in Bon Air to get to the airport I could use the Powhite Parkway to the Downtown Expressway to 95N to 64E, or I could take Chippenham Pky. to 895 to 295N and pay the toll, depending on traffic.
Great video and accurate information, the only correction I'd make is that at the end you identify two dirt areas at I95/I895/Chippenham that you thought were there for an access ramp to east I895. The dirt area between the east and west bound lanes of Chippenham is just a crossover that has always been there. The second one that runs up to the west side of I95 was actually an access to the toll Plaza which was removed in the 90s. This wouldn't have worked as an access ramp as the toll booths/Plaza would have been in the way at the time. If you look at the I895 bridge just above these dirt areas you will see a stub where a ramp to east bound I895 actually exists, but an access ramp would have had to loop much further south for that to have worked!
Live in NoVa but work in Richmond...and travel to the Carolinas...never used 895, used bypass alot and 288, it is crazy and just as you said and described in your video. Great job.
Lived in Richmond for three years and I’ve been on 895 a total of one time, and that was just because I was curious to see what the road was like. Crazy blue toll booths that speak to you when you pull up to them. I completely understand why it’s one of the least traveled ones. The biggest appeal it signs for is the airport and 64 does a good enough job on its own getting you right there. 295 always felt like a waste of time. Even if I needed to get anywhere in the Henrico/Hanover stretch, I’d sooner take 360/301/1 from wherever I was than get all the way out to 295. I don’t know what it’s like for someone commuting from outside the city on a regular basis, but essentially everywhere on the “beltway” is either tolled or very limited access. Not necessarily related, but another fun thing about Richmond is a lot of the toll booths that get you off of downtown loops/expressways and onto downtown streets are just like…broken. You can throw coins at some of them all day and it would never turn green. Though I also never got any toll violations in the mail.
i believe they are “disabled” at certain times of day, could be wrong though
I personally have used 295 as a bypass going North-South since I'm commuting from NC to Lehigh Valley and I don't feel like taking the $20 and more barren US 13, but even then I typically only use it if Downtown traffic is abysmal.
Great Video! I traveled this route many times between Florida and Central PA, then also Florida and Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD , and had in-law relatives in Petersburg. I still come to Ft. Lee occasionally.
I usually used I-295 in the pre GPS days, GPS going from Florida usually picks 295 for me. 295 originally was to be a free bypass of the tolled Richmond Petersburg Turnpike and the 85 and 95 routes were supposed to be moved off of the RPT to current 295. VA removed the tolls on the RPT in 1992 after 295 was completed and the I-85 extension to 295 SW of Petersburg was never built which left the 295 designation on the bypass. I do miss the Miami control city sign, and that off ramp from 295 NB to 95 NB is the worst if you don't pick the correct lane!
Would like to note that the clearings for the western end of 295 was the original layout of the interchange before it was reconstructed with the flyover
I don't think he means the removed loop that was the old exit. If you zoom in on Google maps, there are 'nubs' of straight road that extend past the loops almost to where John Rolfe starts, most likely from their expectation of continuing 295 through Short Pump. Honestly if they turned that into an exit right onto John Rolfe that would reduce a lot of the congestion coming off the 64 Short Pump exit, which is horrible.
@@djtaldragon Yes, though I'm pretty sure those stubs for 295 southwards were paved before the interchange was reconstructed.
And even if VA 288 went where John Rolfe Parkway is now, that interchange would still need to be improved regardless.
Lifelong 804 resident here. You did a great job explaining our roads. My only critique is that the county surrounding Richmond north of the James is pronounced "Hen-rye-ko"
I have lived here for a long time, and never truly understood this. Thank you for such a detailed explanation. Traveling here is definitely a challenge sometimes. And most of us NEVER use 895, Those tolls keep going up too.
Great video. You should do a video on Interstate 64 from Hampton Roads to Interstate 295.
Hey Mileage Mike! I’m a 14yo highway enthusiast and I live in the DC Metro so going through Richmond is very common. The past weekend I was going to Norfolk and for the first time I used I 295 South to bypass Richmond and go to I 64 East towards there. That’s probably the only time I’m gonna use 295 because when I go on road trips to Charlotte, there’s no need to use the bypass because it ends after I 85 has already started and vice versa coming back. But I did like the video and I 295 has always confused me. The va 895 bridge is a sight to see though!
Thanks. Appreciate you watching. I rarely use 295 myself.
I remember when i picked up a load from a west rock papermill in west point, va off I-64 to the east of richmond, va. Almost 80,000 total pounds of big paper rolls in the truck & 53 ft dry van trailer. That ride from richmond, va to point pleasant, wv was beautiful & fun; nothing but mountains from charlottesville, va to point pleasant, wv!! It was my 1st time going that way. I did not know that climb from richmond, va to charlottesville, va was there!! Small, but steep as hell, blue ridge & appalachian mountains ⛰️ 🌄 👍👍!!
I picked up once at Westrock in Hopewell VA.....big paper rolls. Nice views along I-64 and interesting going from climbing at 35mph to full engine brake downhill at 65-70mph.
@@rlg1976x yep, especially that area of I-64 from the I-64/I-81 junction in virginia all of the way to charleston, wv. A lot of climbing & dropping, feeling like a big roller coaster. You pass over that new river gorge bridge before you get to beckley, wv on I-64. That's a high bridge & a big gorge, very scenic. I love that big tamarack I-64/I-77 tollway service plaza/rest area in the beckley, wv area; i always stop there 👍👍.
Oh yeah I love that drive. I need to record it next time I do it.
Video Recommendation: Columbia, SC.
#1 The “Beltway” around the center of the city is actually 3 interstates (I20, I26 & I77).
#2 The interstate that leads to downtown is the 3 digit extension (I126).
#3 “Malfunction Junction”, as it’s known around the state, has like a quarter mile stretch consisting of:
-I126 (an 8 lane to 4 lane) junction with I26 (6 lane to 4).
-Three city exits (Bush River Rd, St. Andrews East, & St. Andrews West)
-I20 & I26 junction (wedged in between those three city exits.
I20 (west) merging to I26 (west) requires you to make a fast 2 lane change before the exit only lanes for both St. Andrews exits 🤦🏾♂️.
#4 New plans to fix malfunction junction are now underway.
I’d love to hear your take on all of it.
Signed,
- A new subscriber!
i use 895 to save time, when going 64 east,and sister in-law house in Eastern Richmond, this was a great video
Laburnum = Lah-burr-num
Henrico = Hen -rye-co
💪🏾
Agreed that I never use 895, the tolls killed it for me, there are so many other work arounds
The northeastern segment of I-295 is heavily used to go from the DMV to Hampton Roads. But I notice that that traffic falls off quick on the other portions, especially on the part south of I-64 on the east side of Richmond
In the future, VA could extend 295 south of Petersburg to connect to I 85.
I could probably see it being used to help connect to that William & Mary College nearby, and maybe loop up around to 460 or something along those lines.
The only time I ever experienced this highway was coming from the North on I-95 from Kings Dominion. I took I-295 to I-64 and proceeded onto Busch Gardens Williamsburg. I was pleased to be done with I-95 after it being my main route during the roadtrip.
The cleared grass on ramp at the end of 295 at short pump is the old on ramp that was moved about 10 years ago.
Live in central Virginia but have used the 288 when in Richmond heading to OBX in Nort Carolina. A nice highway.
thanks so much for this video! as someone who lived in the richmond area for 16 years, i found this very informative. i have long wondered why the map of the city is like this.
by the way, i have only used 895 once in my whole life. it's only really worth it if you are heading east (williamsburg, hampton roads, and especially the ric airport, etc.) from the southside (south richmond and chesterfield) and you want to skip the traffic downtown. i mostly stayed in henrico.
speaking of which, my only correction(s) are your pronunciations of "henrico" and "laburnum". it's pronounced hen-RY-ko and la-BURN-um, respectively.
having drove from Hampton Roads to Northern VA, the portion of I-295 many times, this is the best driving along the route. I'm so glad to exit I-95 and then sad to merge onto I-64. Same thing on the return trip from Hampton Roads to Northern VA.
I 85 doesn't go to Raleigh. It does go to Greensboro.
I've used the downtown expressway and the Chippenham Parkway to get around downtown Richmond up to I 95N
I-85 from petersburg, va to montgomery, al; one of my favorite interstate systems!! A lot of big cities & some bad a$$ traffic though!!
Doesn't US-1 split off from I-85 to get to Raleigh?
@@edwardmiessner6502 That's not 85, though
@@edwardmiessner6502 it does right there around Henderson. 85 continues 40 miles south through Durham.
True. I tend to speak in terms of metros (CSA in this case since they split Raleigh and Durham) though since it hits Durham.
In 45years of driving truck and trailer. Spent half of my life running l 95 295 85 and 64. You name it. Spent so much time in Virginia. Every one thought that I lived there. Driving around Richmond was best done at night in the last 25 years. Traffic now is pretty much out of control. Back in the 60s. 70s and 80s. It was so much easier to get around. I 95 is just stupid busy now 😒 🙄
i travel 288N and 288S for work. mostly between north chesterfield and eastern goochland. it can be a huge pain in the rush hours to around patterson ave and route 711 exits. both on either side of the memorial bridge.
It’s also worth noting that the reason why the I-295/288 connection wasn’t made is due to the land where it was proposed to be built was next to Drewry’s Bluff, which is a part of the Richmond National Battlefield Park system. It would have also disrupted other sections of the NPS-owned properties, particularly that of the Richmond Eastern Defenses, which ran directly through the proposed path.
However, this did not mean I-295 didn’t disrupt battlefield land. The most notable case was the near total leveling of the Savage’s Station battlefield, which, according to some of my family, yielded a large number of rifles and munitions that had been abandoned by the Army of the Potomac during their retreat from the station location. The entire area where I-64 merged with I-295 was directly on top of the battlefield and overtop of where the supply depots were located.
The only reason why much of I-295 was built as is was due to the sections of land it went through having been unprotected at the time. If places like Savage’s Station were under the NPS’s oversight, then much of I-295 would have been drastically relocated or simply would not have been built as planned.
Even 895 and the Airport Drive extension had to disrupt some of the historical sites in the area as the Airport Drive extension clipped through sections of the Richmond defenses, which, in the process, unearthed the barrel of a cannon that had been abandoned in the defensive position for some 150 years (I happen to know this as my family owned the land before it was acquired for the extension project).
So, it’s still quite an issue to make any form of complete loop, unlike with other cities. Richmond is unique because of the close proximity of federally-preserved locations and land to the city, which makes it difficult for major projects of this scale to be done.
PS: Only a few locals use 895 and usually get off before they get to Chippenham Parkway. It’s great if you live in Varina or if you want to get to Airport Drive, but it’s an absolute waste for anything else. I don’t even use it, even though it _might_ cut my commute down by a few minutes due to the absurdly high toll.
To be fair, you can't throw a rock in Richmond without hitting a battlefield, LOL.
Excellent video and well-researched. FYI It's Hen-RYE-Coe County. Lots of unique pronunciations in Southern and Southwestern Virginia.
Great video 👍 I only use 895 when I had a work vehicle and an extreme emergency. Don't forget about the Prince Georged million dollar mile; that story was on 20/20 national news. 👏 great story.
I use 895 when coming from Norfolk to get to Chippenham Parkway. Also when I lived on Southside Richmond I used it to go to the airport.
When stationed at Camp Lejeune, I-295 was preferred ESPECIALLY before they dropped the tolls on I-95, but the merge north of Richmond has ALWAYS been a bottleneck because of the I-85 traffic coming up I-95 through Richmond and meeting the southern fringe of the DC exurbs ... the biggest problem with ANY interstate north of Richmond is the SHEER DENSITY of population in the Northeast Corridor, and the "shoehorning" of interstates into what space could be acquired (this video about Richmond basically shows the NIMBY poison to the detriment of interstates)
/s/ USMC (Retired)
295 is a great highway that alleviates alot of traffic that would normally pass through the very congested sections of 95 in the city. 895 is pretty useless in my opinion. 288 is another great stretch of road but like you stated, the lack of connectivity to the northern section of 295 or 64 is strange. 64 is very congested on the eastern edge. We also have 195 leading from 95 on the southern edge of the city toward 288 and 76. I've lived here my whole life and I love to drive, this is a very fair and accurate review. I've always wondered why we didn't have a legit outer loop around the city.
I took I-295 northbound once to bypass Richmond. That highway seems to go on forever through forested areas, which is boring compared to I-95 through the city.
When I was stationed at Ft. Lee, I took I-295 to get home to Chester. It allowed me to avoid Colonial Heights traffic and has a higher speed limit (70 MPH) than I-95 (55 MPH). As for 895 east, I only ever take that unless I’m late to the airport. From Chester, it’s only a mile longer to take route 10 to 295N. From there you can take 895 west and pay a cheaper toll.
You’re my hero! Nailed it all the way. Except it’s hen’RYEco. 895 is good as a mini-beltway from northern Chesterfield via Chippenham to airport and that’s about all.
There is a mini beltway in Richmond with I195, I95/I64, and the downtown expressway surrounding downtown.
There is also the slightly larger beltway of 76, I195, I95/I64, and 150.
Yes I've used 895 when time was of essence in reaching eastern Henrico from Chesterfield especially during high volume traffic periods. On jaunts to the airport during low traffic it only saves ~ 12 min. Other connectors like 288 are great for accessing the western side of Richmond. There are enough routes in Richmond to bypass the worst of congestion.
I moved to RVA about 4 years ago and asked why the outer belt was so fragmented. Several people told me that it was due to discrimination, either due to race or north/south of the river. Thanks for adding more background info. Also, it’s funny because on most of the roads, such as 288, people drive slowly and politely and it’s not crowded, but then you get on 95 and you are off to the races.
That's Interstate 95 for you. I remember clocking 100 further north, I would say at least past Quantico, and then going at high speeds again down in Jacksonville. I'll bet you if the Cross Bronx Expressway wasn't congested 23 hours a day, 7 days a week, they'd have the same story.
It’s mostly dependent on time of day. I did pest control for three years and covered about 13 counties so i got to know them very well. 95 south has drainage problems in heavy rain near petersburg. 895 is very expensive for local commuting, my mom does it both ways but most of her coworkers use back roads to bypass it. Generally they all suck between 7am-9am and 3:30-6:30 pm. 150 south is notorious for bad morning wrecks at the interchange to 95 especially in the rain. 295 is usually a safe bet for traffic, 95 north of richmond between ashland and doswell is a gamble reguardless of time, weather and day. 150 is only used locally to get to 95 or 76 for the most part. 76 can get you directly from down town to 288 so same rush hour issues.
Where 64 and 295 meet headed east is a rush hour nightmare all the way into New Kent County. As a local in Varina, I only use 895 in an emergency. The $5.20 tool in each direction does not offset the price of gas using alternate methods to get to Chesterfield.
Nicely done. You failed to mention the speed trap on 295 in Hopewell. Also, as someone who lives near Route 10 in Chesterfield, I hate seeing it considered part of the beltway system. They should connect 295 with 85. Not sure why they have not other than funding.
I would say that a lot depends on the time of day (accidents excluded). During rush hours you should do your best to stay away from I-95 through the city, especially where I-95 overlaps with I-64. Any other time of day it's smooth sailing on I-95. 895 is a great way to go from I-95 to I-64 (was roughly a $5 toll last time I went through though). I lived South of the city for three years and East of the city for one.
I grew up in Henrico County. I now live in Knoxville, Tennessee. I never knew how awesome and functional the Richmond area road network was until moving to Knoxville. In Knoxville, there is basically only way to get between any to locations. In Richmond, i can easily take 5 or 6 ways without even thinking about it. In Knoxville, we only have one road running length of area and one Interstate (I 40). Consequently, if you are traveling more than about 5 miles, most people use I 40. In RVA, i never even thought about using Interstates to travel locally. A least in VA they actually build new roads to address traffic congestion. Knoxville hasn't built a new road in the almost two decades that I have lived here !
I did take 895 last year when I traveled from the Raleigh area to Williamsburg. I was directed up I-85 and then up I-95, then over to I-64 by using 895. I was stunned when I ended up on a toll road. I thought all the Richmond area toll roads were done away with in the eighties, maybe. I remember several times traveling I-95 in the seventies and having to stop and drop about three quarters and another 15 cents at 4 different toll booths. I've always thought it was odd that I-85 didn't connect with I-295. I tried to find my way to it once in the pre-GPS days. I think I lost more time than I gained.
Route 895 carries about 17,000 vehicles per day, which is decent enough. I use it 5 to 10 times per year.
The northwest loop is continuous with the overlap of 8-lane I-64 and its seamless freeway movements with VA-288 and I-295.
The one non-freeway segment of the outer loop is handled by I-95 and VA-10. Widening to 6 and 8 lanes on that VA-10 segment is nearing completion as an access-managed high-speed arterial.
The segment of I-95 between VA-288 and VA-10 will soon be widened to 8 lanes.
eh, I live an hour north of Richmond, but I feel I can answer this usefully.
Traffic used to get clogged up going I-95 south into the city when I-64 east joined it. It's improved somewhat in recent years there. Traffic, however, can slow down as far north as north of Ashland semi-regularly, though nowhere near as bad as NoVa.
I-295 north of I-64 gets used pretty heavily, in part for people going to Virginia Beach from DC and further north, and it gets used also for a useful connector going from I-64 either direction to I-95 north. It also is useful to get to the local airport, as you mentioned.
I haven't been on I-295 south of I-64 very much, except for a handful of times going down to Florida. I'm not convinced it actually saves time versus going through the city.
288 is a solid road, but a portion of the pavement on the northern side going south is such that it makes me think something's wrong with the car. It's not very heavily used, from what I've seen.
I can count on one hand the amount of times I've used 895- and I still have several fingers left over. Practically no one uses it.
Was a truck driver in Richmond for four years and still live here. 895 is the most useless road and only makes sense if you are coming from East Henrico to Chesterfield County in a hurry. The 295 beltway was a godsend when I worked south of the city and made the last leg of the journey much quicker than normal. Traffic on 95 isn’t terrible typically until you get into the city and at the merge of 295 and 95 in Ashland.
My grandma and aunt live near Osbourne Tnpk so I distinctly remember when 895 was being built growing up. I used it early on but at this point unless I’m desperate for time the nearly $6 toll is not worth the 7 minutes you save getting to east end Henrico like Sandston, Highland Springs, Nine Mile Road, or Mechanicsville off 295 unless you are strapped for time or want literally no traffic.
895 is very useful for getting to the RIC airport, or the surrounding Sandston area. I take it a couple of times a year, coming from Chester.
I lived in Richmond for 6 years, and traveled on all the roads you mentioned. I-95 is usually the quickest way to get around, however it’s a traffic nightmare. I always preferred using the tolled Downtown Expressway (I think it was called I-195) to get around the downtown traffic. I-295 is 70mph on the north end, so it feels like you save time as opposed to traveling on I-64 through the city.
You should also do a video on the almost beltway in Columbia, SC. I bet it’s somewhat similar to Richmond’s situation.
Back when my family had vacations to Emporia, we taken 95 through Richmond heading down around the late afternoon/evening time and taken 295 heading up back to the northeast. I'm surprised that traffic was light heading down into Richmond and I find that 295 is a way better and faster bypass for 95, despite no rest areas on the route
As a RVA native, and who has lived there for 18 years, this is quite interesting