<p>Hi Everyone,</p>
<p>My son was accepted into engineering and we are trying to schedule orientation. It doesn't look like there is any easy way to get to VT from up here. Roanoke requires connections and is costly, Charlotte and Richmond are a few hours away. How do OOS kids get back and forth for breaks, etc? It is about 15 hours for us to drive. We did it for our campus visit, not looking forward to making it a regular event. How is the bus from Richmond? Any other suggestions?</p>
<p>Depends where in the NE. There are rideboards but my student hasn’t had much luck finding rides past NJ or so, but that may be a scheduling thing. Amtrak is a possibility as there is a bus connector from VT to the train station in Lynchburg. It’s a long trip and I think the bus only runs from VT on the weekends, but my student prefers it to flying. It’s usually cheaper as well.</p>
<p><a href=“http://valleymetro.com/documents/WhatistheSmartWayConnector-brochure.pdf[/url]”>http://valleymetro.com/documents/WhatistheSmartWayConnector-brochure.pdf</a></p>
<p>Yes, It can be a challenge. We are from MA too. My D is a sophomore and my son was just accepted. D has a car and usually takes 1-3 passengers for trips home. I would say to make friends and ask around. If people have room they are usually happy to get a little gas money. The drive is long, but you do get used to it. We just did it last weekend (again).</p>
<p>Airports - Roanoke is a little pricey. Most connections go through Charlotte which is a USAIR hub. It is sometimes easier to get a ride to Charlotte and just fly out of there. Getting a ride there/back shouldn’t be hard during breaks.</p>
<p>Trains - AMTRAK goes from Boston to Lynchburg in 12 hours for $170. I’m fairly certain your son will soon have some friends from there. It’s 2 hrs away. We’ve never done this but it looks kinda fun.</p>
<p>Buses - The only experience we have is one of my D’s friends tried Philly to Roanoke, was delayed in traffic, missed the connection and got stuck in Richmond late at night. Not fun.</p>
<p>Good luck to your son. We may see you down there for orientation.</p>
<p>We live in Maine. My DS, an engineering major at Tech, has had great like with the Homeride bus : [Home</a> Ride of Virginia](<a href=“http://www.homeride.com/]Home”>http://www.homeride.com/) He grabs the bus to Vienna, grabs the metro to Reagan (National) airport and gets a direct flight home.
Also, Tech’s ride board is great: <a href=“http://www.zimride.com/vt/user/rides[/url]”>http://www.zimride.com/vt/user/rides</a>
Roanoke airport is too pricey so we do all flights in/out of Reagan.</p>