Commuting from Varina to Fort Gregg-Adams & Nearby Military Installations

If you're PCS-ing to Fort Gregg-Adams or any of the military installations around Richmond, one of the first questions you'll ask is: Where should I live? The answer depends on your commute tolerance, your family's needs, and the kind of home life you want. As a Navy veteran's wife and MRP-certified agent who has lived in communities around bases throughout the Richmond and Hampton Roads areas, I know that a commute that looks fine on paper can feel very different at 6:15 a.m. with school drop-off and traffic.

Here's an honest look at drive times from 1343 Bartlett Rd in Varina — a 3-bedroom ranch in eastern Henrico — to the area's military installations, downtown Richmond, the airport, and other places you'll go regularly. I'll share the routes I'd actually take, not just what a map app says at midnight.

Fort Gregg-Adams (Formerly Fort Lee)

Fort Gregg-Adams is the Army's Combined Arms Support Command and home to the Quartermaster, Ordnance, and Transportation schools. If you're reporting here, this is your primary commute — and it's the one most military families care about when choosing a home on Richmond's east side.

My take: I-295 is your workhorse route. It's well-maintained, has minimal congestion compared to I-95, and gets you to the gate without drama. Many of my clients who work at Fort Gregg-Adams find that Varina gives them a reasonable commute without the higher prices of Chesterfield or Colonial Heights — and they get a bigger lot and more house for their BAH.

Defense Supply Center Richmond (DSCR)

DSCR is a major Department of Defense installation in eastern Henrico, supporting military and federal supply operations. It's also home to Virginia Army and Air National Guard leadership. If you're assigned here, you're in luck — Varina is one of the closest residential areas.

Fort Barfoot (Formerly Fort Pickett)

Fort Barfoot is located about 40 miles southwest of Richmond in Blackstone, Virginia. It's primarily a National Guard and Army Reserve training facility, so you may only need to commute here for drills, AT, or specific schools.

Joint Base Langley-Eustis (Hampton)

Joint Base Langley-Eustis is in the Hampton Roads area, roughly 75–80 miles east of Richmond. If you're assigned here, you'd typically be looking at housing in the Hampton/Newport News area rather than commuting from Richmond. That said, some service members split time between Langley and Fort Gregg-Adams for TDY or joint training.

Downtown Richmond

Whether you're heading to a VA appointment, a downtown dinner, a concert at the amphitheater, or simply running errands, downtown Richmond is your urban center. Varina sits roughly 10 miles southeast of the city core.

Richmond International Airport (RIC)

If you're flying out for TDY, leave-no-trace travel, or visiting family back home, you'll appreciate how close the airport is. RIC is in eastern Henrico — practically in Varina's backyard.

Other Common Destinations

Beyond the bases, here are a few more places military families go regularly:

Tips from a Local Who Knows the Area

As someone who has lived all around the Richmond and Hampton Roads areas and has helped many military families find their footing here, here are a few things I always tell PCSing families:

• Test the route before you sign. If possible, drive your commute during rush hour during your house-hunting trip. A 30-minute drive on Saturday morning might be 50 on a Tuesday at 7:15 a.m. I'll happily ride along and show you the real-world commute.
• Factor in school drop-off and pickup. If you have kids, the school run adds time to your morning. Varina is served by Henrico County Public Schools, and the bus routes and school zones matter for your daily schedule.
• Don't overlook I-295. Most people default to I-95 for commuting around Richmond, but I-295 is less congested and often faster for east-side commutes. It's a hidden advantage for Varina residents.
• Remote work changes the equation. If you or your spouse telework even a few days a week, a longer commute becomes much more manageable. Many military families in the area alternate in-office and remote days.
• Think about deployment and solo-parenting days. When one partner deploys or is in the field, the other spouse handles everything — school, errands, appointments. A home that's centrally located and near a highway makes those solo weeks much easier.

Why 1343 Bartlett Rd Works for Military Families

This home checks a lot of the boxes that matter for military families stationed at Fort Gregg-Adams or DSCR:

• Move-in ready. New HVAC (2025) with a transferable 10-year warranty, new roof (2024), septic system and drain field, and new well pump (2025). You won't be dealing with major repairs right after you PCS.
• Room for the family. Three bedrooms plus a flexible oversized family room with a fireplace — usable as a fourth bedroom, playroom, or home office for telework days.
• Outdoor living. A covered front porch, rear deck, pool, and large fenced backyard. After a long deployment, having a space to decompress at home is everything.
• Detached outbuilding. Storage for military gear, a workshop, or a hobby space — the kind of bonus that makes a house feel like home.
• Below $400K. A competitive price for a move-in ready home with this many updates and this much land.

Commute Time Summary

Bottom Line

If you're PCS-ing to Fort Gregg-Adams or DSCR, 1343 Bartlett Rd gives you a practical home base with a manageable commute, space for your family, and a yard that doesn't feel like an afterthought. Varina isn't the flashiest address in the Richmond area — but for military families who value space, outdoor access, and a home that's already been taken care of, it delivers.

As an MRP-certified agent and military spouse, I've spent years living in communities around military bases and walking alongside families through the PCS process. I understand the unique pressures of a military move — the tight timelines, the remote house-hunting, the BAH math, and the emotional weight of uprooting your family. While my own moves around the Richmond and Hampton Roads area were by personal choice, being part of this community has given me firsthand insight into what military families go through. My goal is to keep you informed and at ease so that buying a home feels exciting, not overwhelming. I bring deep local knowledge and genuine empathy to every client.

If you'd like to see this home, drive the commute yourself, or talk through your options, I'd love to help.