Commute to West Kingston, RI from Wrentham, MA, and employers hiring people from Massachusetts (Providence: how much, live in) - Rhode Island - City-Data Forum

mialia · 10-04-2013, 08:48 PM

Hi all,

I'm considering a job with a company in West Kingston, RI. I live in Wrentham, MA - like the town next to Gillette Stadium :-). How much of a nightmare is a commute from the Wrentham/Foxboro, MA area to West Kingston?

I'm guessing (hoping!) under an hour average? I haven't accepted anything yet, I'm just trying to figure things out logistically so that I am prepared.

I was also wondering if there is a bias towards hiring Massachusetts residents to work in Rhode Island? Like a bias due to lengthy commutes? (there seems to be a bias here in Massachusetts against people who "live south of the Mass Pike" or "south of the split 128/93/95" looking for work in Woburn or Burlington, MA because 128 is a disaster!).

Thanks!

mr2448 · 10-04-2013, 10:01 PM

this trip will be a strong hour. 95S-295S-95S. For a correct assessment we need a location in WK and where in Wrenthem? Near Woonsocket, Route 1? From near Woonsocket you would travel Cumberland Road to Diamond Hill Road, Mendon Road, Route 99, 295S-95S. Either way strong hour and longer in rain and snow. 295N at end of day could be a difficult grind from Warwick to Johnston. BTW, you could go thru Providence, but it depends on the time. It could take 10 minutes off your commute if the planets align.

mialia · 10-04-2013, 11:45 PM

the company is near the West Kingston Amtrak Station. I live on the Norfolk side of Wrentham, off 1A, by 140. 495 is the closest highway, or cutting down to Route 1 to pick up 95 South in Foxboro. The job will most likely be 9 to 5, or 8:30 - 5:30.

I've driven through Providence before in rush hour, and compared to the clowns on 128 in Massachusetts, I always felt like Rhode Island is a breeze! But now that I'm seriously thinking of a job in W. Kingston, I'm changing my "breeze" tune and thinking it might not be so easy after all.

(I think that people in Massachusetts, myself included, who experience the daily 128 north conundrum assume Rhode Island traffic does not exist).

GermanSpy · 10-05-2013, 03:58 AM

I think that commute would drive me insane trying it on a daily basis. In addition to snow in the winter for a few weeks, you'll have beach traffic in the summer and you just might hit heavy rush hour traffic in Providence if you're deciding to go through there. If it is Schneider we're talking about, I can tell you from first-hand experience that commuting came up in an interview with them and was an issue. However, mine was significantly shorter than yours will be. I don't think there is a general bias against people from Mass commuting into RI though. Otherwise, the route suggested by mr2448 is a good idea, but man, that drive will get old quickly, working for Schneider or not. What about Amtrak? Does it not stop in Wrentham or anywhere close by? Maybe the train would be an option for you.

CaseyB · 10-05-2013, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GermanSpy

Does it not stop in Wrentham or anywhere close by? Maybe the train would be an option for you.

Good idea. It doesn't stop in Wrentham, but she could take it from Sharon or Mansfield during the bad weather, at least.

mialia · 10-05-2013, 11:07 AM

I didn't even think of beach traffic. :-(. And yes, the job would be with Schneider.

As far as the train goes, I'd have to take it to Prov from Mansfield. and then Amtrak from Prov to WK. That is too expensive! (Amtrak)

GermanSpy · 10-05-2013, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mialia

I didn't even think of beach traffic. :-(. And yes, the job would be with Schneider.

As far as the train goes, I'd have to take it to Prov from Mansfield. and then Amtrak from Prov to WK. That is too expensive! (Amtrak)

Beach traffic can be fairly nasty unfortunately. It's too bad the train doesn't seem to be an alternative, especially with the train station right next door to them. Maybe suck it up for a while and then move if the job turns out to be worth it? It'll be a drag, especially in the winter when there's snow on the ground and everything slows to a crawl.

Good luck anyhow.

massnative71 · 10-05-2013, 03:45 PM

If they were smart they would have built an Amtrak/Commuter Rail stop right off 495 by 140 and the Mansfield Crossing shops/Cabot Industrial Park. There is no reason why there should be a stop in West Kingston but nothing between Providence and Rte. 128.

QuilterChick · 10-05-2013, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by massnative71

If they were smart they would have built an Amtrak/Commuter Rail stop right off 495 by 140 and the Mansfield Crossing shops/Cabot Industrial Park. There is no reason why there should be a stop in West Kingston but nothing between Providence and Rte. 128.

Agree. It would also give an option to take the train from So.Station when I fly into Logan, rather than the bus to Mansfield. The bus doesn't run at night when I want it to, Dang it .....

and I always get picked up in Mansfield. From the bus that is.

mr2448 · 10-05-2013, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by massnative71

If they were smart they would have built an Amtrak/Commuter Rail stop right off 495 by 140 and the Mansfield Crossing shops/Cabot Industrial Park. There is no reason why there should be a stop in West Kingston but nothing between Providence and Rte. 128.

The Kingston Rail Station, not West Kingston, has long served Southern Rhode Island and U.R.I. Usage has always been high at this station and also serves Newport as there is connecting service on RIPTA between the two points that is well used. Hopefully, within 5 years, the MBTA will be serving this station also.