Travel

Easiest Option: Carpooling

Blacksburg is centrally located and a reasonable drive by vehicle from most eastern U.S. universities. Given our small town location, we recommend driving with others where possible. Example driving distances:

• Penn State University - 6 hours
• University of Georgia - 5.5 hours
• Emory University - 6 hours
• Princeton University - 7 hours
• Cornell University - 8.5 hours

Closest Airport: Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA)

Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA) provides the closest access to the conference venue, with the SmartWay bus route running from ROA to the VT campus fairly regularly. While ROA offers connections through major domestic and international hubs such as Atlanta, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington D.C., Chicago, Detroit, Cincinnati, connections into a small regional airport do come with risks of missed flights and significant delays in rebooking. Participants who arrive by air might consider flying into the larger Washington Dulles (approximately 4 hours away by train or bus) or Charlotte airport (approximately 3 hours away by car rental) if possible.

Transportation Options from ROA to Blacksburg:

• Bus (recommended): Smart Way Bus from the airport picks up at ROA airport and ends at Virginia Tech’s Transit Center (Maroon Loop). The cost is $4, only cash is accepted, and change is not given. We recommend checking bus timetables before booking flights as rideshares are much more expensive. Walking to the Hyatt or Residence Inn from the bus is approximately 10-15 minutes. To get to the Home2Suites, the walk is 35 minutes, or local rideshare (5 minutes) or local bus from the same loop (take the SMA from Bay 6 to Country Club/Draper Wbnd, 10-15 min).

• Airport shuttles: Two complimentary airport shuttles will be provided on Monday night (June 1), departing ROA at 9 pm and 11:30 pm. Please see below for a detailed schedule. Note that the shuttles will ONLY be stopping at Home2Suites, New Hall West*, and The Residence Inn / Hyatt.

*All people staying in dorm rooms will pick up their keys at New Hall West.

• Car rental: Car rental agencies are located in the rental car facility next to the main terminal at Roanoke-Blackburg Regional Airport (ROA) airport.

• Rideshare: Lyft or Uber.  Pickup is located in the second lane in front of the terminal and is marked by signage. Time from ROA to Blacksburg is 45 minutes. Note that fares are estimated at around $70-$130.  Cab Service: C'artier Limousine – (540) 982-5466
   

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

Located in Chantilly, Virginia — approximately 4 hours from Blacksburg.

Transportation Options from IAD to Blacksburg:

• Ride Share: Are you looking to ride share from DC area airports to Blacksburg? If so, please list your name and arrival day/time/location on this ride sharing sheet. Interested parties are responsible for reaching out to each other to coordinate.
• Bus: Virginia Breeze — service between IAD and Virginia Tech (dropoff at Blacksburg Transit Center, Maroon Loop, Bay 1). Cost is ~$45.
• Rent a car - Round trip cost is ~$250.
• Take Amtrak – From IAD, travel to Washington Union Station and then take the Northeast Regional to Roanoke and the Smart Way Bus to Blacksburg. Cost is ~$25.
  
   

 Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)

Located in Charlotte, North Carolina — approximately 3 hours from Blacksburg. 

* Transportation from CLT to Blacksburg: You will need to rent a car