Directions to the Lab

The CDL is located at:

NRAO Technology Center (NTC)
1180 Boxwood Estate Road
Charlottesville, VA 22903-4608

View location on Google Maps.

Directions to the NTC Building:

  • From the Edgemont Road Headquarters Building: Return towards the University on Edgemont Road and turn left at the traffic light on to Alderman Road. At the next traffic light, turn left on to Ivy Road (also called US250 West). Continue through the next two traffic lights. After the second light (note Exxon station on the right), go about 1 mile to Boxwood Estate Road, which is on the right just before US250 makes a major curve to the left. Follow this road back to the NTC buildings.

    If you reach the traffic lights at Farmington Road, you have gone too far. Make a U-turn, and after turning back on to Ivy Road (US250), go through the lights at Farmington Road and then use the first available left turn lane to turn left onto Boxwood Estate Road.

  • From US29 South: You should recognize when you are approaching Charlottesville as the number of shopping centers increases on both sides of the road. You want the exit for US250 West / US29 South, on the right side after passing a K-Mart on the left and a Best Buy on the right. About 2 miles later, you will exit at US250 West, for which you will go under an overpass. This will be a sharp turn. At the top of the exit ramp, where there is a stoplight, turn left and go about 1 mile to Boxwood Estate Road on the right. Follow this road back to the NTC buildings. If you reach the traffic lights at Farmington Road, you have gone too far. Make a U-turn, and after turning back on to Ivy Road (US250), go through the lights at Farmington Road and then use the first available left turn lane to turn left onto Boxwood Estate Road.
  • From US29 North: You want the exit for US250 West, which will be on the right side, about 2 miles after I-64. At the top of the exit ramp, where there is a stop sign, turn left and go about 1 mile to Boxwood Estate Road on the right. Follow this road back to the NTC buildings. If you reach the traffic lights at Farmington Road, you have gone too far. Make a U-turn, and after turning back on to Ivy Road (US250), go through the lights at Farmington Road and take the first available left turn lane to turn left at Boxwood Estate Road.
  • From the North: Take either US29 or I-81 (if on I-81 turn east on I-64 just south of Staunton, VA. If coming from Washington DC, take I-66 to US29). If approaching Charlottesville via I-64, use "From US29 North" directions above. If approaching via US29 South, use "From US29 South" directions above.
  • From the East or West: Take I-64 to US29 north (Exit 118B), then use "From US29 North" directions above.
  • From Green Bank, WV: Take route 92/28 south about 6 miles, then follow 92 as it splits off to the left. At Frost, WV, turn left, taking route 84 east to US 220. At US 220, turn left heading north to Monterey, VA. At Monterey, turn right taking US 250 east. Approaching Staunton, turn left on VA 275 (Woodrow Wilson Parkway) east to I-81. Follow I-81 south to I-64 east. Take I-64 east to Charlottesville and US 29. Take US 29 north using "From US29 North" directions above.
  • From Charlottesville/Albemarle Airport (CHO): Exit the Charlottesville airport to Rt. 29, and turn right onto Rt. 29 South. Then use "From US29 South" directions above.
  • From Richmond International Airport (RIC): Exit the airport and follow signs to I-64 West. You soon pass through Richmond and I-95 merges with I-64. About 5 miles after that occurs, take the exit for I-64 West. Take I-64 to exit 118b which puts you on Rt. 29 North, then use "From US29 North" directions above.
  • From Washington DC - Dulles Airport (IAD): It's a 2 hour drive from Dulles, provided you aren't trying to travel during rush hour. From the airport, take the first "real" exit on the right for 28S (it's exit 9A to Centreville and also says to I66). You'll stay on 28S for ~10 miles, to 66W. Stay on 66W for about 12 miles to 29S at exit 43A (Gainsville/Warrenton). This can be a confusing exit as it is labeled 43A & 43B, but there is a single exit that splits to be 43A & 43B with the second one being 43A). (NOTE: If you are coming from DC rather than Dulles, there is an earlier exit for 29, but you don't want that). Take 29S for about 90 minutes straight into Charlottesville. Then use the "From US29 South" directions above.

Connect with NRAO

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory and Green Bank Observatory are facilities of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.

Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."

AUI collaborates with the scientific community and research sponsors to plan, build, and operate cutting-edge facilities. We cultivate excellence, deliver value, enhance education, and engage the public.