Virginia College Loop: William & Mary, Richmond, UVA and Virginia Tech in 3 Days

1. Who this guide is for

This plan is for parents taking a high schooler, and maybe younger siblings, on a first look at four Virginia schools: William & Mary, with its 330-year history; the University of Richmond, in the state capital; UVA's Grounds in Charlottesville; and Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.[S8][S16][S1][S3]

It's three days by car, east to west, with one night across the street from UVA and one night on Virginia Tech's campus.[S17][S18]

Why this order

• East to west, one direction, no backtracking. Start in Williamsburg, drive west to Richmond (about 81 minutes) and on to Charlottesville (about 84 minutes). Day 3 ends in Blacksburg.[S22]
• W&M first, in the morning. Its visit is a 30-minute information session plus a 75-minute tour, and siblings can spend that time in Colonial Williamsburg, a 7-minute drive away.[S7][S22]
• Richmond on the afternoon of Day 1. Its visitor spaces are held for visitors until 5 pm on weekdays, so book an early-afternoon slot.[S15]
• UVA on the morning of Day 2. Sleep across the street from Grounds and walk to Peabody Hall in about 11 minutes.[S17][S23]
• Virginia Tech on the morning of Day 3. Drive to Blacksburg after UVA and stay on campus; the Visitor Center is a 6-minute walk from the hotel.[S18][S23]
• The loop also works in reverse: start at Virginia Tech and finish at William & Mary, staying at the same two hotels.

2. The suggested 3-day route

• Drive times are no-traffic estimates from OpenStreetMap routing. The total is about 7 hours of driving over 3 days, plus the drive home.[S22][S23][S24]
• Our recommendation, not a school rule: leave at least 2 hours between the end of the W&M visit and the start of Richmond's session, because I-64 between Williamsburg and Richmond can be slow.

3. Campus by campus

Campus

William & Mary (Williamsburg)

Official tour sign-up: W&M All Events Calendar ↗

Where visits start

• A 30-minute information session, then a 75-minute tour. Sessions are led by admission staff and tours by current students. You can also download a self-guided campus tour.[S7][S8]
• Go to the Office of Undergraduate Admission and park in the admission lot behind it, off Grigsby Drive. Free weekday parking on campus may be limited, so W&M asks you to allow extra time.[S10]

Visitor parking

• Admission lot off Grigsby Drive: use the parking pass in your confirmation email. With it, admission visitors can park free in any admission-visitor, faculty/staff, day-student or metered space.[S10]
• Passport app (pay by phone) in designated areas: $2.50 an hour, two-hour minimum. On busy weekdays W&M suggests the Colonial Williamsburg P6 lot, 410 Francis St. W., at $2 an hour; campus visitor permits aren't honored there.[S10]

Train, plane and bus

• Amtrak serves Williamsburg. The nearest airports are Newport News/Williamsburg (PHF), Norfolk (ORF) and Richmond (RIC).[S10]

What to know

• Accessibility: ask for accommodations at least 10 days before the event. W&M's map shows accessible parking lots.[S7][S10]
• Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens are among the attractions W&M lists nearby, along with Williamsburg's restaurants and shops.[S11]

Last checked Oct 22, 2026. Tour and admissions details change often, so confirm them on the school's official visit page before you go.

Official pages: W&M: Visits & Tours · W&M: Directions & Parking

Campus

University of Richmond

Official tour sign-up: University of Richmond Event Portal ↗

Where visits start

• Information sessions and guided campus tours, plus a virtual tour, a digital map, a self-guided tour and a "City of Richmond Driving Tour." Check the portal for times and where to meet.[S12][S13]

Visitor parking

• Register with Parking Services and show the visitor pass on your rear-view mirror. Visitor lots and spaces are reserved for off-campus visitors Mon–Fri, 7:30 am–5 pm; visitor spaces on Keller Road and Westhampton Way are held until 9 pm daily.[S15]
• Driving in from I-95 or I-64, Richmond's directions use I-195 South to the Cary St. exit.[S14]

Train, plane and bus

• Richmond International Airport (RIC) is about 12 miles away and the Amtrak Staples Mill Road station about 5 miles. GRTC Bus 77 runs between campus, the Fan and downtown every 60 minutes.[S14]

What to know

• Accessibility: contact admission at 804-289-8640 or admission@richmond.edu.[S12]

Contact

804-289-8640, admission@richmond.edu[S12]

Last checked Oct 22, 2026. Tour and admissions details change often, so confirm them on the school's official visit page before you go.

Official pages: Richmond: Campus Tours · Richmond: Directions

Campus

University of Virginia (Charlottesville)

Official tour sign-up: UVA Prospective Student Events ↗

Where visits start

• Check in at Peabody Hall, 190 McCormick Road. A 30-minute information session, then a 90-minute student-led tour of Grounds, about 2 hours in all. Registration is required.[S1]
• Each registered student may bring up to 2 guests. Tours don't go inside residence halls. A self-guided app tour is available any time.[S1]

Visitor parking

• Central Grounds Garage, 400 Emmet St. S (ParkMobile zone 5515), or Culbreth Garage, 130 Culbreth Rd. (zone 5513). Clearance is 6 ft 8 in. Both charge hourly fees through ParkMobile; UVA suggests setting up the app before you arrive.[S1]
• Staying at the Graduate? Walk instead: Peabody Hall is about 11 minutes away on foot.[S23]

Train, plane and bus

• The Amtrak station is about a mile from Grounds. Charlottesville's CAT and UVA Transit buses are free.[S1]

What to know

• UVA's Academical Village is a UNESCO World Heritage site.[S1]
• Accessibility: email admissionevents@virginia.edu as early as you can. ADA spaces are first come, first served; vehicles with a DMV placard or plate can park at a meter for up to 4 hours if no ADA space is free.[S1]

Contact

434-982-5300, undergradadmission@virginia.edu[S1]

Last checked Oct 22, 2026. Tour and admissions details change often, so confirm them on the school's official visit page before you go.

Official pages: UVA Admission: Visit

Campus

Virginia Tech (Blacksburg)

Official tour sign-up: Virginia Tech Campus Visit Portal ↗

Where visits start

• The Visitor and Undergraduate Admissions Center, 925 Prices Fork Road, is open Mon–Fri 8 am–5 pm. Its foyer is open 24/7, with materials for self-guided visitors.[S5]
• Book an information session and campus tour with undergraduate admissions, or sessions with individual colleges and departments. The Hokies on Track app has 30-, 60- and 90-minute self-guided tours led by Hokie Ambassadors.[S3]

Visitor parking

• Visitors need a permit or must pay to park Mon–Fri, 7 am–10 pm. Buy a daily permit online (your license plate is the permit) or use ParkMobile where signs allow. Admissions visitors can arrange parking through the Visitor Center during business hours.[S6]
• Staying at the Inn? Walk: the Visitor Center is about 6 minutes on foot.[S23]

Last checked Oct 22, 2026. Tour and admissions details change often, so confirm them on the school's official visit page before you go.

Official pages: Visiting Virginia Tech · VT: Visitor and Undergraduate Admissions Center

4. Where to stay: one night by UVA, one night at Virginia Tech

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Prefer another hotel near UVA? UVA's visit page names The Doyle and The Draftsman as well as the Graduate. In Williamsburg, W&M's visiting page points to the town's hotels and attractions.[S1][S11]

5. Meals between tours

Hours change, so check before you go.

6. Things for siblings along the route

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7. Practical tips

Parent checklist

• Register at all four schools before you book hotels.[S2][S4][S9][S13]
• Request any accommodations at W&M at least 10 days ahead.[S7]
• Register for a Richmond visitor pass.[S15]
• Arrange VT parking through the Visitor Center, or buy a daily permit online.[S6]
• Bring layers for Blacksburg: its average highs run about 5–8°F below Charlottesville's.[S26][S27]
• After each school, take five minutes to jot down what stood out to your student before the next one blurs it.