Your Ultimate Guide to Navigating UVA Parking: Tips from an Insider
Hey everyone, so you're heading to the University of Virginia. That's AWESOME. Whether you're a new student, a proud parent visiting for the weekend, a faculty member, or just in town to soak up the Charlottesville charm & catch a football game, you're in for a treat. But let's talk about the one thing that can put a damper on an otherwise perfect day at UVA: parking.
Honestly, figuring out where to park at UVA can feel like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube in the dark. With over 14,000 parking spaces, you'd think it would be a piece of cake, but it's a bit more complicated than that. The campus, or "Grounds" as it's officially known, is a beautiful, sprawling place, & knowing the ins & outs of the parking situation can save you a TON of headaches & probably a few bucks too.
I've spent a lot of time navigating the parking scene at UVA, so I'm here to give you the lowdown on everything you need to know. We'll cover everything from visitor garages to student permits, game day madness, & even some alternatives to bringing your car at all.
The First-Timer's Guide to Visitor Parking
If you're just visiting for the day, your best bet is almost always the Central Grounds Garage. It's conveniently located on Emmet Street, right under the University Bookstore & next to Memorial Gymnasium. This is the perfect spot if you're planning to explore the historic Central Grounds, including the Rotunda. Plus, they have EV charging stations, which is a nice touch.
Here's the thing you need to know about most parking on Grounds: you'll be using the ParkMobile app. So, do yourself a HUGE favor & download it before you even get in your car. You can pay for your spot right from your phone, & it's super convenient. You can even reserve a spot in advance with the app, which is a pro-move during busy times.
If the Central Grounds Garage is full, or you're heading to a different part of campus, there are a few other options. The Emmet/Ivy Garage is another good choice, especially if you're visiting the International Residential College or Carr's Hill Field. There are also some metered spots for visitors at the Aquatic & Fitness Center (AFC), the North Grounds Recreation Center, Observatory Hill Dining Facility, & Slaughter Recreation Center.
For longer stays, you can get a Temporary Blue Parking Permit from the UVA Parking & Transportation Office, located at 1101 Millmont St. This is a great option if you're in town for a few days & want a little more flexibility.
For the Students: The Real Deal on Permits
Alright students, let's get real. Parking on Grounds is a bit of a different beast for you. First off, a heads-up for first-year students: the university has a strict policy that prohibits you from having a car on Grounds for your first year. There are some exceptions for extraordinary circumstances, but they are rare. So, if you're a first-year, your best bet is to leave the car at home & embrace the walkability of campus & the bus system.
For all other students, you'll need a permit to park in most lots. And let me tell you, these permits are not cheap & they can be competitive to get. You'll find that some apartment complexes near Grounds, like GrandMarc, also sell parking passes, but they can be just as pricey.
Here's a breakdown of the typical student parking situation:
- Commuter Lots: Most commuter students will end up with a permit for the lots at John Paul Jones Arena (JPJ) or Scott Stadium. From there, you can hop on a free UVA bus to get to Central Grounds. The buses are pretty reliable, running about every 10 minutes from JPJ during the semester. You can even track them in real-time with the Transloc app.
- Blue Permits: The "Blue" permit is another common option for commuters & is generally one of the more affordable choices.
- Other Garages: If you're lucky, you might be able to snag a permit for a more central garage like the Culbreth Garage, which is a great location close to the Corner. But again, these are in high demand.
The key is to be on top of the permit application process. These passes sell out FAST, so make sure you know the deadlines & apply as soon as you can. You can manage your parking account & purchase permits through the online parking portal.
Faculty & Staff: Navigating Your Parking Options
For faculty & staff, the parking situation is pretty similar to students, just with a few more options. You can purchase permits for the commuter lots, & you can also apply for spots in lots closer to your department. But be warned, these closer spots often have long waiting lists.
One of the big complaints you'll hear from faculty & staff is the rising cost of parking permits. Some have seen a significant increase in recent years, which can be frustrating. The university's Parking & Transportation department operates as a break-even entity, so the costs of maintaining & building lots & garages are passed on to the users.
If you have a hybrid work schedule, you might be able to save some money by opting for a permit that allows you to pay for a certain number of days per week, rather than a full annual pass.
Game Day Parking: A Whole Different Ball Game
If you're coming to Charlottesville for a UVA football game, you need to have a parking plan. Game days are a whole other level of organized chaos, & if you don't know where you're going, you could end up circling for what feels like an eternity.
Here's what you need to know about game day parking at Scott Stadium:
- Reserved Parking: The lots right next to the stadium are reserved for Virginia Athletics Foundation donors.
- Paid Public Parking: There are several garages that offer single-game parking, including the South Garage on Crispell Drive, the UVA Emmet/Ivy Garage, & the Central Grounds Garage. You can often purchase a pass in advance through ParkMobile, which is ALWAYS a good idea. It's usually cheaper to buy in advance than to pay on game day.
- Free Public Parking: If you don't mind a bit of a walk, there's free public parking available at the JPJ South, North Grounds, & Fontaine Research Park lots on a first-come, first-served basis. These lots fill up fast, so get there early!
- Shuttles: The good news is that there are fan shuttles that run from the free lots to the stadium. The Wahoo Walk Shuttle will even get you there in time to see the team's pre-game walk. There are also shuttles for fans with disabilities.
- Private Lots: You'll also see a lot of people & businesses near the stadium selling parking spots in their driveways & lots. This can be a great option if you're in a pinch, & some even offer perks like access to a bathroom.
A word to the wise: be respectful of the neighborhoods around the stadium. Residents have to deal with a lot of extra traffic & people on game days, so be a good neighbor & don't block driveways or park illegally.
Thinking Outside the Car: Alternatives to Parking
Given the cost & hassle that can sometimes come with parking at UVA, it's worth considering some alternatives to driving.
- University Transit Service (UTS): As I mentioned, the UVA bus system is a fantastic resource. It's fare-free for students, faculty, & staff, & it serves all the major areas of the university, including the commuter lots.
- Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT) & JAUNT: For getting around the wider Charlottesville area, you can use the CAT buses, which are also free for those with a valid UVA ID.
- Biking, Scooters, & Mopeds: UVA has plenty of bike racks & designated parking for motorcycles & mopeds. You'll still need a permit for a motorcycle or moped, but it's another option to consider. The university also has rules in place for dockless e-scooters & bikes.
- Carpooling: UVA even has a Cavpool program that offers discounted permits & dedicated spaces for those who carpool to work.
What About When You Run Out of Space? Prked to the Rescue
Here's a scenario that's all too common for students: you've got your parking situation figured out, but then you realize you have way more stuff than you have space for in your dorm or apartment. Whether it's furniture for your first apartment, sports equipment, or just the overflow from a small dorm room, finding affordable & convenient storage can be a real pain.
This is where a service like Prked can be a lifesaver. Instead of a traditional storage unit, Prked connects you with people in the Charlottesville area who have extra space in their homes – like a garage, attic, basement, or even a closet – that they're willing to rent out. It's a pretty cool way to find a storage solution that's close by & often more affordable than the big commercial options.
And for those times when you're in a pinch for parking – maybe you have a friend visiting for the weekend or you need a spot for a few weeks – Prked can also be a great resource. You might find a homeowner near campus who's renting out their driveway or a space in their garage. It's a clever way to find a parking spot that's off the beaten path of the official UVA lots.
The Takeaway
So, there you have it – a pretty exhaustive look at the world of parking at the University of Virginia. It might seem a little overwhelming at first, but with a little bit of planning, you'll be navigating the Grounds like a pro in no time.
My biggest pieces of advice are to plan ahead, be patient, & don't be afraid to explore the alternatives to driving. And if you find yourself in a bind, whether it's for parking or storage, remember to check out what Prked has to offer.
I hope this was helpful! Let me know what you think, & if you have any of your own UVA parking hacks, feel free to share them. Go Hoos!
