We are driving down from New England to visit both schools and looking for a place to stay for 3 nights that will give access to both schools and the airport. TIA!
Instead of trying to find one hotel in between, I’d advise staying at different hotels close to each school so you can better experience the neighborhoods surrounding each UVA and URichmond. Here are UVA suggested hotels: https://orientation.virginia.edu/orientation-hotels Very different experiences but I’ve enjoyed staying at both the Boars Head Inn and the UVA Inn at Darden (convenient location w/basic and less expensive rooms).
If you want to have a home base for 3 days, pick either Charlottesville or Richmond. The schools are an hour apart, there is really nothing in-between and I-64 is a drive in the park compared to I-95.
And make sure you tour Jefferson’s Monticello, so everyone takes away some history.
I agree that there is no point in straddling the two destinations - either pick one or divide your time.
In Charlottesville the Inn at Darden is dated but has a great breakfast and is on the UVA campus. I think the rooms only accommodate 2 people. Nearby on Emmett St there are a number of national chain hotels. The English Inn is nice if you prefer to avoid the national chains. Have dinner at “the mall” (the front desk at any hotel can direct you there) to get a better feel for the C’ville culture. If you are going during basketball or football seasons, check the home schedules. Hotels prices will spike to $250+ on game weekends. If you are going to C’ville first, I recommend coming down I-81 rather than I-95.
I have less experience staying in Richmond but my visits tell me it is also a wonderful city. My daughter is at UVA and one of her housemates is from Richmond. She has spent time in Richmond and loves it as much as C’ville.
You don’t mention which airport. CHO is small and about 15-25 minutes from UVA depending on traffic. I believe RIC is a larger airport.
I second the recommendation to visit Monticello if you have the time. There is also a good evening historic walking tour (https://www.tellmeaboutittours.com/) that starts on the mall and takes you through the history of the city.