Is it common for Virginians around Richmond to visit the Triangle region of NC? (Norfolk: transplants, chapel)

[JayJayCB]

Only asking because I'm noticing A TON of VA license plates around the Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) region of North Carolina. The Triangle is roughly an hour south of the VA border and two and a half hours from Richmond, but is it common for Virginians around Richmond to visit the Triangle? Maybe all the license plates I'm seeing are from remote counties (Halifax, Mecklenburg) closest to the Triangle. Just curious, cheers!

[ellieb128]

I can only answer for my circle of friends and I'd say No. I've never heard it mentioned as a destination for a trip or visit. Outer Banks, Ashville, Charlotte - yes.

[AJNEOA]

I think ellieb128 hit the nail on the head. I've never had a reason to go to the Triangle. For urban experiences, I'd go north. For mountains, I'd go West. For both, I'd go to Asheville. For beaches, the Outer Banks or Eastern Shore.

[Diff1]

To be honest the only time I go to NC for anything is in passing or a few family members, I usually head east to HR or north to DC

[spencer114]

Like the others, I don't typically go south.

The Triangle area is nice enough but the focus in Richmond does seem to be northern. Commerce and recreation just doesn't seem to cross the vast forest between Petersburg and Raliegh. In the time it takes to get to Raliegh, one could go to Baltimore or DC (thus people go to Baltimore and DC). Family ties take us east and west (and to NoVa).

I'd suspect that the plates you are seeing come from folks living around Danville and Emporia (cities along the border). Your amenities are much nicer (much, much more) than anything around those parts. They may be seeking out your goods and services. I imagine that quite a few live in that part of the state and work in NC too.

If it is any consultation, I've noticed more NC plates around Richmond too. Maybe there is an exchange going on, but between people that don't frequent this site.

[JayJayCB]

Originally Posted by spencer114

Like the others, I don't typically go south.

The Triangle area is nice enough but the focus in Richmond does seem to be northern. Commerce and recreation just doesn't seem to cross the vast forest between Petersburg and Raliegh. In the time it takes to get to Raliegh, one could go to Baltimore or DC (thus people go to Baltimore and DC). Family ties take us east and west (and to NoVa).

I'd suspect that the plates you are seeing come from folks living around Danville and Emporia (cities along the border). Your amenities are much nicer (much, much more) than anything around those parts. They may be seeking out your goods and services. I imagine that quite a few live in that part of the state and work in NC too.

If it is any consultation, I've noticed more NC plates around Richmond too. Maybe there is an exchange going on, but between people that don't frequent this site.

I was thinking they were people from the counties of Halifax, Mecklenburg, Charlotte, Lunenburg, and possibly Pittsylvania and Brunswick counties. If you look at a map, this makes sense, and you're right that this area of VA is quite remote. I do a lot of traveling around the Triad area (Greensboro/Winston-Salem area) and it's the exact same story, just as many VA license plates. However, this definitely makes more sense. Danville and Martinsville are right on the state line north of this area, so not far at all. I imagine many of these Virginians work in the Triad and travel down quite frequently. In fact, Danville and Martinsville are closer to Charlotte than Richmond. Danville could also go towards the Triangle like you mentioned, not too terribly far from Durham. 1-85 between Petersburg and Durham is super remote, more so on the Virginia side. Every time I drive on it, I expect it to be a little more crowded but that's not usually the case. So I'm wondering why I see all these VA license plates around the Triangle! Some of them could possibly be college students, but I'm no expert. Interesting that it's kind of the same story with the NC license plates in Richmond!

[Romedot]

I live in Norfolk and the main reason you probably see so many VA license plates would be from either students or those traveling from southern Virginia cities. I know many students who go to NCAT in Greensboro and they travel back to HR almost every other weekend. There really isn't any special attractions that would make Virginians go to either the Triad or the Triangle unless it is business oriented or college related. Here in Norfolk, I see many NC plates (probably from OBX) but I have seen almost every state's license plates here in HR mainly from the military.

[Tiger Beer]

That's interesting that Raleigh doesn't attract Richmonders. It makes sense. I would think that everything Raleigh might have, would already exist in Richmond?

[AJNEOA]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

That's interesting that Raleigh doesn't attract Richmonders. It makes sense. I would think that everything Raleigh might have, would already exist in Richmond?

Hard to say without being more specific. At a very very high level that's probably true.

I think Richmond has better urban amenities due to it being more urban. That's why I never go to Raleigh. It doesn't have a strong urban core, beaches or mountains. That's not to say it's not a great city that others prefer over Richmond.

[JayJayCB]

The Triangle is largely suburban, the population of this area was quite low until the rise of RTP which brought many outside transplants. For the most part, it doesn't have the historic, urban vibe you'd find in Richmond. Slightly more populated, lot's of suburban sprawl. Not too close to the beach or mountains, just a metro nestled in the Upper NC Piedmont. I guess with UNC Chapel Hill, NC State, and Duke in the vicinity, the license plates could be students if it's pretty common for many Virginians to attend school out of state but NC would make sense since it's so close. Unless you're a huge college basketball fan, I'm sure the Triangle has everything you'd find in Richmond.