A word of advice:

You may find your time and sanity better spent avoiding the WalMart in Charlottesville (it’s on Hilton Heights Road  by driving a few minutes to the West and visiting the Waynesboro WalMart and Target.

The Charlottesville Walmart is only nearly five miles north of UVA Main Grounds:

View Larger Map

But it’s going to feel a whole lot worse. It will take a little bit longer, but you and your parents will appreciate it a lot more. Stop at Sonic or the drive-thru Starbucks (Charlottesville has neither).

The Waynesboro Walmart is bigger, cleaner and nicer. Turn right off of 64 to get to the Walmart and turn left to get to the Target. Trust me on this one.

View Larger Map

Inlookers:

This weekend, the University of Virginia welcomes thousands of new and returning students, and chaos may reign on the streets of Charlottesville. Invest in a bike.

The Students are Coming! The Students are Coming! at Cvillenews

Even the free trolley is intimidated by the thousands of students.

Update 20 August 2011:

The weekend of 19-21 August is awfully busy. Be patient. UVA’s tips for sanity:

Parking and Moving Tips

• Avoid the rush hours 8:00 am – 11:00 am
• Short-term, 30 minute parking is available in front of your residence hall.
• Free long-term parking is available all day in the Scott Stadium lots.
• Police and Parking and Transportation officers will direct you to your parking areas.
• No University Transportation System (UTS) buses will be running on August 20.
• If you have questions about parking email parking@virginia.edu
• Need help? Ask a Greeter. Greeters will aid students in their move into the residence halls from 10-7 PM Friday and 8-3 PM on Saturday at the First-Year Housing Areas, Hereford College, International Residential College (IRC), and Gooch/Dillard. Look for students in bright-colored Greeters T-shirts!
• Only students may pick up their room keys. Photo ID required
• Consider bringing a handcart or dolly to transport belongings to your room.
• Find your room before you unload the car and carry everything inside.