Question for people who have been to Va Tech

[Eric15]

I'm considering making the 4-hour trip down to Blacksburg next Thursday night. Question: what is the parking and traffic situation around Lane Stadium before and after the game? Like is it just gridlock for miles (similar to Penn State), or is it relatively reasonable? Do most people stay in Blacksburg or in Roanoke? Thanks in advance.

 

[tbonezone]

whatever you do...don't canoe !

 

[Cusefan95]

When I made a late call to go to VT years ago, I ended up staying in Roanoke because that was the closest available hotel. Traffic was reasonable but I got in 3-4 hours before the game to tailgate, so don’t know what it’s like for later arrival.

 

[kcsu]

Nylon strings on the Banjo

 

[sutomcat]

I'm considering making the 4-hour trip down to Blacksburg next Thursday night. Question: what is the parking and traffic situation around Lane Stadium before and after the game? Like is it just gridlock for miles (similar to Penn State), or is it relatively reasonable? Do most people stay in Blacksburg or in Roanoke? Thanks in advance.

For our last game there (what was it, 2 years ago?), I flew into Charlotte the morning of the game (it was a noon start). Took the interstate from there to I81, then there were only 20 or 30 miles on I81 before the esit for Blacksburg.

Minimal traffic the whole way. Even on that road from I81 to Blacksburg. Arrived about 11:30 am. I think most come from the north or come really early.

Going.back, I think there was heavy traffic on the road to I81 that quickly dispersed as I went south.

I bet it is worse coming down I81 from the north but I have no experience doing that.

Blacksburg hotels get sold out right away. Roanoke is the nearest fairly large city. Probably your best bet if you still need a hotel room.

 

[JKinPhilly]

If you're going to tailgate in a parking lot you have to drink out of a plastic cup. Found that out on our first beer before watching us lose 31-3 in '97 and haven't been back since.

 

[JRHEETER]

If you're going to tailgate in a parking lot you have to drink out of a plastic cup. Found that out on our first beer before watching us lose 31-3 in '97 and haven't been back since.

Definitely wasn’t that way a couple years ago when we were there

 

[orangmannc1]

Currently there is road work on 81 around Roanoke. Also it seems there are frequent car accidents on 81 in that area.

 

[Chip]

If you're going to tailgate in a parking lot you have to drink out of a plastic cup. Found that out on our first beer before watching us lose 31-3 in '97 and haven't been back since.

That group of 100 students doing keg stands was very kind to give us the red solo cups.

They must have known we were only going to cross the 50 yard line once that night.

 

[shu 49]

Just drove thru there 2 days ago and it’s very rural. Haven’t been to stadium but now seeing It I won’t be.

 

[TexanMark]

Just drove thru there 2 days ago and it’s very rural. Haven’t been to stadium but now seeing It I won’t be.

Why wouldn't you want to go?

 

[OrgTruckPat]

I went to the 99 game 62-0. We left in the 4th q and have not and will not go back after witnessing that. Scarred me for life!

 

[CuseFan]

Went 2 years ago (I think) to see that miracle comeback, which surprised everyone in the stadium including me. Also had to stay in Roanoke as everything in Blacksburg was booked. We hung out to have a bite for an hour or so after the game so traffic wasn't bad by then.

 

[xc84]

I went to the 99 game 62-0. We left in the 4th q and have not and will not go back after witnessing that. Scarred me for life!

I was there too. I think it was 48-0 after 3 and I don't recall much after that. I think my brain went into self-protection mode.

 

[Cusefan95]

Just drove thru there 2 days ago and it’s very rural. Haven’t been to stadium but now seeing It I won’t be.

I’m reminded of the scene in Hoosiers where the coach pulls out a tape measure and they measure the hoop height and free throw line to show the court at Hinkle Fieldhouse is just like the court in Hickory.

Unfortunately, a 300’ tape measure doesn’t exist to show that the field in Blacksburg is just like the one in Syracuse. But I’m confident they are the same.

 

[Orangepace]

I'm considering making the 4-hour trip down to Blacksburg next Thursday night. Question: what is the parking and traffic situation around Lane Stadium before and after the game? Like is it just gridlock for miles (similar to Penn State), or is it relatively reasonable? Do most people stay in Blacksburg or in Roanoke? Thanks in advance.

Have been a few times. This late in the game, probably won’t have much luck with a non-seedy hotel in Blacksburg.. try AirBNB. VaTech hasn’t been great of late and that’s usually a solid place to find vacated plans. Atmosphere is amazing at kickoff. Really cool scene.

I’d recommend getting there early to tailgate. Never once ran into a fan that was ridiculous. Most are respectful, if not a bit Ho-hum. I’ve been to NCSt and UVA and can honestly say that their entitled fan bases aren’t a comparison at all.

 

[Goin' Deep]

I’m reminded of the scene in Hoosiers where the coach pulls out a tape measure and they measure the hoop height and free throw line to show the court at Hinkle Fieldhouse is just like the court in Hickory.

Unfortunately, a 300’ tape measure doesn’t exist to show that the field in Blacksburg is just like the one in Syracuse. But I’m confident they are the same.

Let's see...one is grass, the other turf...
One is indoor...the other outside..
One has ample parking near the stadium...
One has a great team entrance tradition...

Other than that, they're dead ringers!!

 

[orangefog]

That group of 100 students doing keg stands was very kind to give us the red solo cups.

They must have known we were only going to cross the 50 yard line once that night.

Did they look like this guy?

 

[Cusefan95]

That group of 100 students doing keg stands was very kind to give us the red solo cups.

They must have known we were only going to cross the 50 yard line once that night.

One of the administrators at Syracuse I knew well took a position at Va Tech after I’d graduated. When I went to a game there and as I was walking the campus, I thought I heard someone yell my name but kept walking since who the hell would know me at a game in Blacksburg? The second time I heard my name I looked around and saw her in a VT jersey in a large tailgating group, so I went over, ate their food and drank their beer while we caught up and I got introduced to her new coworkers.

The game was brutal, but that experience reminded me why I like going to college football games much more than NFL games - it’s a much more friendly, more social atmosphere (except for the barbarians at UConn, someone really needs to train those lunatics on how to behave in a civilized society).

 

[Orangello]

Coming from the north, Harrisonburg VA (where JMU is located) would be another option. 2 hour straight shot south on I-81 to Blacksburg. Lots of bars and restaurants. Watch for cops on I81 south.

 

[OrgTruckPat]

I was there too. I think it was 48-0 after 3 and I don't recall much after that. I think my brain went into self-protection mode.

Man, it was the worst road loss I have ever personally witnessed. I was at Minnesota in 96, Tennessee in 2001, and ND in 2005, those really sucked too and left some serious SU PTSD lol.

 

[orangecuse]

Let's see...one is grass, the other turf...
One is indoor...the other outside..
One has ample parking near the stadium...
One has a great team entrance tradition...

Other than that, they're dead ringers!!

One other thing, the Dome field is crown-less, unlike the usual outdoor types. Perhaps, being crown-less is a bad omen for us.

 

[JKinPhilly]

One other thing, the Dome field is crown-less, unlike the usual outdoor types. Perhaps, being crown-less is a bad omen for us.

 

[Cusefan95]

Currently there is road work on 81 around Roanoke. Also it seems there are frequent car accidents on 81 in that area.

I just watched a video talking about how heavy freight traffic is on 81 in Virginia, and how all proposals to expand the number of lanes are running into political hurdles. Tolling is probably required, but both local residents and the national trucking association are opposed and make that solution difficult.

Was eye opening to see how much freight traffic on 81 has exploded in the last two decades - and that it was entirely predictable. It’s frustrating how our political system incentivizes waiting for problems to occur so politicians can be heroes for solving them instead of a more proactive approach.

After watching that, I’d recommend anyone going to the game leave extra travel time - the likelihood of getting through Virginia without some delays is apparently very low.

 

[mhoff44]

I went the last time we played there and honestly had a great time. I was able to stay in Blacksburg but the tailgates were cool as they were all kind of mixed between people parking for the game and students. We were able to just roam with our beer and play beer pong and other drinking games with the Hokies fans. I don't regret going but definitely don't need to again. Probably largely because of issues flying but like many ACC destinations the closest airport is an hour or more away. The town of Blacksburg wasn't bad at all but you could tell it is one of the classic college type towns where when school isn't in session there is nothing going on. I recommend going but like I said, not sure if I would need to again