Richmond advice - RIC-ORD?
 

I have just accepted a new job in Richmond and will essentially be flying back "home" to ORD on weekends for the next few months (while the family packs up and gets ready to move to RIC).

Is it even worthwhile to consider alternate airports (IAD, CHO) for price or convenience? Generally, it seems like a round trip over the weekend in the low-fare buckets from RIC-ORD fluctuates between $276 and $333, while IAD-ORD is $252. Are the current prices I've found in line with historic prices?

RIC seems very easy to get in or out of, so RIC seems to win on convenience. Given the time I would incur driving from RIC to IAD, it seems to me like there's no advantage to flying out of IAD. Are there any advantages to flying out of other sort-of-nearby airports (such as CHO)?

Any other advice for a midwestern Yankee relocating to Richmond would also greatly be appreciated.

You should check UA's e-fares. There is one this weekend for RIC-ORD and IAD-ORD. For the e-fares, you have to fly out Saturday and return either Monday or Tuesday. I believe that RIC-ORD costs $10 more, and the round trip is around $220. Usually, if UA runs an e-fare for IAD-ORD, they will have one for RIC-ORD as well. CHO is seldom cheaper than RIC, ORD, or DCA.

The current airfares are higher than what they were in the past for IAD-ORD, but I expect airfares to stay at this level or go higher. Next year, plane tickets for IAD-ORD and RIC-ORD are going for about $400.

North-bound traffic on I-95 approaching the DC-area can be nightmarish, even at "off" hours. I'd certainly be willing to pay at least $75 more for a non-stop RIC-ORD over a non-stop IAD-ORD, if I was flying by myself.

Good point. I don't think I've ever made the drive north on I-95 without hitting traffic, regardless of time of day.

Between what you'd spend in gas to drive up there, the increased parking costs (cheapest is $7 at RIC, $10 at (IAD), and the hassle, I'd say just stick to RIC. :)

The traffic on 95 North is not that bad. I drive almost weekly on 95 North, and it depends on the time you are traveling. If you are going north in the evening, you will be going the opposite of most Virginia commuters who are heading south from DC.

I would not fly out of IAD unless you can save at least $75, or if you want more options in case of a flight cancellation. Also, it depends if you care about flying on a jet or a regional jet (RJ). With UA, most of their flights out of RIC are on RJs.

If the fare difference is only $75, I'd stick with flights in/out of RIC. Certainly your time is worth at least that, plus the cost of gas for the 150-200 miles round trip. Parking and security are much easier in RIC, too.

I would agree with the others here - stick to RIC. IF you need a last minute flight and a decent fare, try Southwest out of MDW to Norfolk. It's a slightly shorter driving distance than from IAD and the traffic is not as bad, unless you get stuck in the tunnel. No direct flights to ORD or MDW from Newport News/Williamsburg (PHF).

For other than flights, my advice would be to pack some extra patience, leave the winter clothes in storage, and plan on plenty of short weekend getaways to DC, Baltimore, the Beach, etc. Pick your house location after checking out the schools - Henrico County tends to lead with stats and while we lived there had a higher proportion of families from outside Richmond.