NEWS & RESOURCES
Park and Ride lot sign on the Middle Peninsula of Virginia
Blog, Carpooling, News

Carpooling is one of the smartest ways to save money, reduce stress and lighten your environmental footprint—but did you know there’s an easy way to make it even more convenient?

Enter: Park and Ride lots.

Scattered across the Middle Peninsula, these free public parking areas are designed to help people like you connect, park and share the ride—whether you’re commuting to work, heading to a regional hub or carpooling to a weekend event.

Here’s why Park and Ride lots are a game-changer for anyone looking to carpool more effectively.

1. Convenient Meeting Spots

Not everyone in your carpool lives on the same street—and that’s okay. Park and Ride lots provide central, easy-to-access places to meet up and hit the road together. Most are located near major commuter routes, so you don’t have to go out of your way.

2. Save Gas & Cut Mileage

Instead of everyone driving separately from different parts of the region, meet up at a Park and Ride and travel together. It’s a simple way to reduce fuel use, vehicle wear and tear and those rising gas station bills.

3. Free Parking = Fewer Headaches

All Park and Ride lots on the Middle Peninsula are free to use—no permits, no tickets, no hassle. Leave your car for the day with peace of mind, knowing you’ve got a safe place to park.

4. Reduce Traffic & Emissions

Every shared ride means one less car on the road. That’s good news for your wallet—and great news for our environment. Carpooling helps reduce carbon emissions and congestion on our roads, from Route 33 to Route 17 and beyond.

5. Lots of Lots, Lots of Options

The Middle Peninsula is home to several Park and Ride locations. View a complete map and videos of the lots here.

These locations make it easier for commuters to connect with carpools heading toward Williamsburg, Newport News, Richmond and beyond.

6. Easy to Pair with MidPen Rideshare Tools

MidPenRideShare helps you find carpool partners, plan routes and organize shared rides. Once you’ve found your crew, Park and Ride lots make it easy to meet and go—without complicating anyone’s commute.

Ready to Try It?

If you’ve been thinking about carpooling but weren’t sure how to make it work, start by finding your closest Park and Ride lot. Then sign up for MidPenRideShare here to match with others in your area.

Have questions about lot locations or how to start a carpool? We’re here to help—just reach out!

MidPenRideShare is a free service operated by the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission for residents, workers, commuters, and tourists in Virginia’s Middle peninsula (Counties of Essex, Gloucester, King and Queen, King William, Mathews, and Middlesex and the towns of Tappahannock, Urbanna, and West Point).
The Commission has partnered with the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) and their Virginia-wide ConnectingVA program to provide free ridematching to find carpools, vanpools, and all forms of public transportation, trip planning, and information on park-and-ride lots, bike share services, electric vehicle charging stations, and rewards.