If you're organizing a group trip to Chartway Arena at Old Dominion University, the question that keeps every event planner up at night is a deceptively simple one: where exactly does the bus let everyone off, and where does it go while your group is inside? It's the detail most rental guides skip entirely — and the one that determines whether your group walks into the arena together on time or scatters across Hampton Boulevard trying to find each other in the dark.
This guide answers it plainly, drawing on published ODU and arena information, and then walks through everything else a group trip needs: which vehicle fits your party, what the parking situation actually looks like, what drives the cost, and how long the ride takes from Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and across Hampton Roads.
Party Bus Virginia Beach moves groups to Chartway Arena for Monarchs basketball games, concerts, graduation weekends, and large-scale events year-round. The logistics below are what we cover with every group before they book — written for the person responsible for getting everyone there together, on time, and without the post-show rideshare scramble. For the full picture of our service across Hampton Roads, see our Virginia Beach charter bus rental page.
Venue
Chartway Arena at Old Dominion University · Norfolk, VA 23529
Primary large-vehicle drop-off
Hampton Boulevard curbside near the main arena entrance — verify oversized vehicle staging with ODU Parking & Transportation before your event
Capacity
~8,472 (basketball configuration) — sellouts happen fast on rivalry and concert nights
Home teams
ODU Monarchs men's & women's basketball · Sun Belt Conference
From Virginia Beach
~15–25 miles · ~20–35 min via I-264 W depending on your starting point
Event parking
ODU campus lots and Garage 1 — confirm current event parking rates and large-vehicle assignments through ODU Parking & Transportation at odu.edu/parking
What Is Chartway Arena?
Chartway Arena — formerly the Ted Constant Convocation Center and known to ODU fans simply as "The Ted" — is the primary multi-purpose arena on the campus of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. Chartway Federal Credit Union purchased the naming rights in 2018, giving the venue its current name. The arena seats approximately 8,472 fans for basketball and has hosted sold-out crowds for major concert tours, professional and collegiate wrestling events, university commencement ceremonies, and regional championship competitions since opening in 2002.
The building sits directly on Hampton Boulevard (US-60), the main corridor running through the heart of the ODU campus. That central position makes it one of the more straightforward large arenas in Hampton Roads to reach by road — until you factor in the foot traffic, campus-managed parking restrictions, and the way Hampton Blvd tightens around the campus core on sold-out game and concert nights. Those are exactly the conditions under which having one private bus instead of a caravan of individual cars earns its cost.
On the court, Chartway Arena is the home of the ODU Monarchs men's and women's basketball programs, competing in the Sun Belt Conference after the program's move from Conference USA. Away from basketball, the venue draws national touring concerts, graduation weekends where parking and drop-off congestion multiply considerably, wrestling and combat sports cards, and community-scale events that regularly fill the building. For a large group attending any of those, a charter bus rental handles the single most frustrating logistical variable of the entire night.
Where Your Bus Drops Off and Picks Up at Chartway Arena
Here is the section that actually matters for groups, and the one most rental pages summarize in a single vague sentence. Let's walk through it step by step.
Chartway Arena's main public entrance faces Hampton Boulevard. For large vehicles — charter buses, full-size minibuses, and oversized vans — the standard procedure is curbside drop-off along Hampton Blvd near the arena's main pedestrian entrance. This puts every member of your group steps from the front doors without anyone navigating active vehicle lanes or a parking structure.
After the drop-off, the bus moves off Hampton Blvd. Large vehicles for events are directed to designated oversized or large-vehicle staging areas on the ODU campus, managed by ODU Parking and Transportation Services. The specific lot assigned can vary between a Monarchs basketball game, a major concert, and a graduation ceremony — which is why calling ODU Parking and Transportation ahead of your event date is the single most useful step a group organizer can take. Their office information is available through odu.edu/parking.
A two-minute call confirms exactly where the bus stages and where it returns for pickup, so there are no surprises when 8,000 people pour out of the arena at once.
The short version: your bus drops off on Hampton Boulevard near the main arena entrance, then moves to a campus-designated large-vehicle area. Confirm that specific staging lot with ODU Parking and Transportation before your event date — lot assignments shift between basketball, concerts, and graduation weekends. That one confirmation keeps your group from spending 20 post-show minutes wandering a crowded campus trying to find the bus.
For end-of-event pickup, the process is the reverse — and the preparation matters just as much. Before the bus drops everyone off at the start of the night, your group designates a specific meeting point and an approximate pickup time. Many groups use the main plaza directly in front of the arena entrance on Hampton Blvd, which is visible from most exit routes out of the building.
"Meet out front" is not a plan — not when several thousand people are all exiting through the same doors at the same moment. "Meet at the main plaza on Hampton Blvd, 25 minutes after the final buzzer" is a plan. That specificity is what separates a smooth post-game exit from a 45-minute search-and-text situation.
Event-Night Traffic on Hampton Boulevard
One detail that consistently surprises first-time groups: Hampton Boulevard narrows and pedestrian crossings multiply in the blocks immediately adjacent to the ODU campus on event nights. Campus security and Norfolk Police regularly manage vehicle flow around the arena on busy nights, and the curbside lanes on Hampton Blvd can bottleneck considerably as a capacity crowd exits all at once. A charter bus has a meaningful advantage here over a string of individual cars — one vehicle makes one coordinated exit from one staging area.
Still, build extra time into your post-event pickup window for major concerts and rivalry games. The crush on Hampton Blvd after a sellout can hold for 20–30 minutes before traffic normalizes.
Which Vehicle Fits Your Group?
The right vehicle is the one that comfortably seats your full headcount for the length of the trip. Here's how the Party Bus Virginia Beach fleet breaks down for a Chartway Arena run from Hampton Roads.
| Vehicle | Capacity | Best for | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sprinter Van | Up to 14 passengers | Small friend groups, executive suite nights, family outings | Premium leather, individual reading lights, tinted windows |
| Sprinter Limo (14-passenger) | 14 passengers | Birthday outings, bachelorette groups, celebration rides | Built-in bar, LED lighting, premium sound, leather seating |
| Party Bus | 15, 18, 20, 25, 28, 30, 40, or 50 passengers | Fan groups, corporate outings, pregame groups, bachelor/bachelorette | Full bar, color-changing LED lighting, premium sound, dance area |
| Minibus | 15–35 passengers | Mid-size work groups, school organizations, family reunions | Reclining seats, climate control, overhead storage, A/C |
| Charter Bus (motorcoach) | 40–56 passengers | Large fan groups, graduation families, corporate events | Reclining seats, climate control, undercarriage luggage bays, onboard restroom on select coaches |
A few quick guidelines: for groups of 15 or fewer, a Sprinter Van or 14-passenger Sprinter limo keeps the cost right-sized while still giving everyone a coordinated, designated pickup and drop-off instead of a rideshare scramble. For a fan group of 15–50, one of our party buses — available in every configuration from 15 to 50 passengers — lets the pregame start before anyone reaches Hampton Blvd, with the built-in bar and premium sound system already running. For large groups of 40 or more, a 56-passenger charter motorcoach consolidates everyone into one vehicle with undercarriage storage for anything that doesn't ride in the cabin.
ADA-accessible vehicles are available at no additional charge — let the Party Bus Virginia Beach reservations team know when you book so the right vehicle is confirmed from the start.
The Drive From Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads to Chartway Arena
Chartway Arena's position on Hampton Boulevard at ODU places it within easy range of every city in the Hampton Roads metro. Most of the region can reach it without a long haul, which makes a charter bus especially practical — you're not asking anyone to ride for hours.
| Starting point | Approx. distance | Typical drive time | Primary route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach Town Center | ~15 miles | 20–25 minutes | I-264 W to Hampton Blvd |
| Virginia Beach Oceanfront | ~22–25 miles | 30–40 minutes | US-60 W / I-264 W to Hampton Blvd |
| Chesapeake (Great Bridge / Greenbrier) | ~18–22 miles | 25–35 minutes | I-64 E or Military Hwy N to Hampton Blvd |
| Portsmouth | ~8–10 miles | 15–20 minutes | I-264 E or US-58 to Hampton Blvd |
| Downtown Norfolk | ~3–5 miles | 10–15 minutes | Granby St / Hampton Blvd |
| Hampton | ~18–22 miles | 25–35 minutes | I-64 E through Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel to Norfolk |
| Newport News | ~28–35 miles | 35–45 minutes | I-64 E through Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel to Norfolk |
| Suffolk | ~22–28 miles | 30–40 minutes | US-460 E or I-664 N to Norfolk |
Distances and drive times are approximate and vary with traffic, construction, and your exact pickup location. Always confirm live conditions before event nights.
A few route-specific notes worth knowing:
- Virginia Beach groups via I-264 W have a clean corridor until the Granby Street interchange in Norfolk, where the volume picks up as multiple routes funnel toward the ODU campus. Budget 10–15 extra minutes on event nights if departing within 45 minutes of tip-off or showtime.
- Hampton and Newport News groups crossing via the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (I-64 E) should check HRBT traffic before departure — the tunnel is one of Hampton Roads' known congestion points during peak event evenings, and crossing delays can cascade into the Hampton Blvd approach.
- Chesapeake groups via Military Highway North often have one of the cleaner approaches to the ODU campus, avoiding most of downtown Norfolk's grid until the final stretch to Hampton Blvd.
- Hampton Boulevard itself narrows near the campus core and pedestrian volume increases substantially in the 30–45 minutes before large events. The earlier your group arrives, the smoother the campus approach.
What Event Parking Costs at Chartway Arena — and Why It Matters for Groups
Understanding the parking situation at Chartway Arena directly affects whether a charter bus makes financial sense for your group, so here's the honest picture.
ODU manages its own event parking through ODU Parking and Transportation Services. For major events at Chartway Arena, the university opens designated campus lots to the public — including the parking garage closest to the arena, which fills quickly on sellout nights. Overflow lots are available farther on campus, with walk times that can add significant distance for groups coming in formal attire for graduation or in cold-weather gear during basketball season.
Current event parking rates and lot availability are confirmed through ODU's Parking and Transportation Services — it's worth checking their event page before your trip, as rates and lot designations are updated per event.
For oversized vehicles and charter buses specifically, ODU designates large-vehicle staging areas that shift depending on the event. A bus that shows up on event night without prior coordination with ODU Parking risks being redirected mid-arrival, which scrambles the post-event pickup plan for the whole group.
Here's the cost comparison that usually ends the debate for groups of 15 or more: if 25 people split into five cars, each car pays its own event parking cost — plus the coordination overhead of five separate parking spots, five separate post-event exits through the same clogged lot, and the real possibility that at least one car ends up in a different overflow lot entirely. One private charter bus eliminates every one of those variables. The bus handles its own staging assignment, and your group has a single confirmed meeting point on Hampton Blvd for pickup at the end of the night.
Who Charters a Bus to Chartway Arena?
Different groups, same goal: everyone arrives at the arena together, on time, with the energy intact. Here are the most common scenarios Party Bus Virginia Beach handles for Chartway Arena events.
- ODU Monarchs fan groups. Season-ticket holders, alumni gatherings, and first-time visitors who want to settle the carpool question once and for all. A 25- or 30-passenger party bus is a popular pick for Monarchs nights — the pregame runs the whole ride to Norfolk, nobody pays for parking, and the group has a confirmed spot on Hampton Blvd when the final buzzer sounds.
- Concert crowds. When Chartway Arena books a national touring act, the Hampton Blvd corridor around ODU transforms. Rideshare surge pricing after major concerts in Norfolk regularly hits 2x–3x, with 30–60 minute wait times at peak demand windows post-show. A private charter at a confirmed all-in price removes that variable entirely. See our Virginia Beach concert bus rentals.
- Graduation families. ODU's May and December commencement ceremonies bring thousands of family members into Norfolk simultaneously. Parking Garage 1 fills within the first hour of the morning commencement window, and overflow lots can mean long walks for grandparents, young children, and anyone in dress shoes or heels. A charter bus gets the entire extended family from their hotel to the arena entrance and back without anyone touching a steering wheel all day.
- Corporate and company outings. Suite nights, company appreciation events, and team-building outings at Chartway Arena are popular for Hampton Roads employers. A group bus means everyone arrives together on a coordinated schedule, no one disappears into a separate car, and the outing feels like an organized event rather than a commute. See our Virginia Beach corporate event bus rentals.
- Sports teams and club organizations. Youth athletic programs bringing a team and parent group to watch a live event, college clubs making a group night of a rivalry game, or travel teams based in Virginia Beach or Chesapeake that want one vehicle for the whole delegation.
- Private celebrations. Birthdays, bachelorette outings, and anniversary celebrations where the destination is Chartway Arena but the party starts before anyone gets there. Our 14-passenger Sprinter limos and 15- to 50-passenger party buses are built for exactly this — built-in bar, LED lighting, and premium sound included from the moment the bus pulls away from your curb.
Charter Bus vs. Driving Separately to Chartway Arena
Here's the honest comparison for a Hampton Roads group heading to an event at Chartway Arena.
| Option | Everyone arrives together? | Parking | Post-event exit | Cost shape |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charter or party bus | Yes — one vehicle, one arrival | Bus handles its own staging; group pays nothing to park | One vehicle, one confirmed pickup spot on Hampton Blvd | One quote split across the group |
| Rideshare (Uber / Lyft) | No — staggered ETAs, surge pricing after events | N/A — but post-show surge adds 2x–3x to the fare | 30–60 min wait times common after Chartway sellouts | Per-car, multiplied by surge factor post-show |
| Driving separate cars | No — caravans split up | Every car pays event parking; overflow lots mean long walks | Multiple vehicles in the same clogged Hampton Blvd exit | Gas × multiple cars + event parking × multiple cars |
The rideshare math in particular is worth knowing before you decide. Post-event demand on Hampton Blvd and the surrounding Norfolk streets spikes sharply after a sold-out Monarchs game or a full-house concert. Rideshare prices during those windows routinely run well above standard rates, and the wait for a pickup in a campus area with thousands of simultaneous requests can stretch to 30–60 minutes.
One private charter at a confirmed price — booked before you ever arrive — eliminates all of that.
Booking Tips for Chartway Arena Events
A few things that consistently separate smooth group trips from last-minute scrambles:
- Book early for rivalry games, tournament weekends, and major concerts. ODU conference games with regional rivals, any post-season Monarchs runs, and nationally touring concerts at Chartway Arena all drive high demand for Hampton Roads group transportation. Popular party bus sizes fill weeks out on high-demand dates. Party Bus Virginia Beach' online quote tool shows live availability in under 30 seconds — early is always better than waiting.
- Nail down your headcount before you finalize the vehicle. Upgrading to a larger bus a week before the event when your original size is no longer available is stressful. It's much easier to hold a slightly larger vehicle at booking and confirm the final number closer to the date.
- Confirm the large-vehicle arrival window for your event. For major events, campus security or Norfolk Police may manage vehicle flow in a specific window around the arena. ODU's event pages and the Chartway Arena box office can confirm any timing constraints for your specific date.
- Set a specific post-event pickup landmark and time. "The main plaza on Hampton Blvd, 30 minutes after the final buzzer" is a plan. "Meet out front" is not — not when thousands of people are funneling through the same exit simultaneously.
- Call Party Bus Virginia Beach 24/7. Our reservations team is available around the clock at 571-662-5565 — whether you're booking months out for graduation weekend or pulling together a last-minute group outing for a home game on Friday.
Frequently Asked Questions About Renting a Bus to Chartway Arena
Where exactly does the bus drop off at Chartway Arena?
Large vehicles use Hampton Boulevard for curbside drop-off near the arena's main pedestrian entrance, which is the standard approach for charter and oversized buses at Chartway. After the drop-off, the bus moves to a campus-designated large-vehicle staging area managed by ODU Parking and Transportation Services. Confirm the specific staging lot before your event through odu.edu/parking — assignments vary between basketball games, concerts, and graduation ceremonies.
Is there dedicated bus or charter vehicle parking at ODU for events?
Yes — ODU Parking and Transportation designates areas for large vehicles during major events, separate from standard public parking. The specific lot can change between event types. Contacting ODU Parking and Transportation before your event date is the best way to confirm which area applies for your specific night, so the bus has a confirmed staging location and your group has a confirmed pickup spot at the end of the event.
How much does event parking cost at Chartway Arena?
ODU manages event parking through its campus lots and the garage adjacent to the arena, with rates that vary by event. Current event parking rates and lot availability are confirmed through ODU Parking and Transportation Services. For a group of 15 or more, a single charter bus eliminates the need for any individual to pay or find event parking — which, for large groups splitting into multiple cars, can add up quickly in both cost and post-event stress.
How far is Chartway Arena from Virginia Beach?
Chartway Arena is approximately 15–25 miles from most Virginia Beach neighborhoods, typically a 20–35 minute drive via I-264 W under normal traffic conditions. Event nights along Hampton Boulevard near the ODU campus can add 10–15 minutes to the final approach, so build in a buffer if your group has a specific arrival target like warmups or a pre-show.
What vehicle should we book for a group of 20 going to a Monarchs game?
A 20-passenger party bus or 25-passenger party bus is a natural fit for a 20-person fan group — the built-in bar and sound system give the pregame somewhere to happen, everyone rides in one vehicle, and there's no event parking to deal with. If your group prefers a more traditional seating layout, a 15–35 passenger minibus covers the same headcount in forward-facing reclining seats with overhead storage.
Can a charter bus get onto the ODU campus for events?
Yes — full-size 56-passenger motorcoaches access the ODU campus regularly for events at Chartway Arena. Hampton Boulevard is a standard multi-lane road with established large-vehicle access, and ODU Parking manages oversized vehicle assignments on event nights. Smaller minibuses and party buses have even more flexibility in the campus drop-off zone.
Coordinating with ODU Parking before the event is the step that ensures everything goes smoothly from arrival to pickup.
Our group is flying into Norfolk International Airport (ORF) before the game. Can Party Bus Virginia Beach handle that?
Absolutely. Norfolk International Airport is approximately 8–10 miles from Chartway Arena — about a 15-minute drive under normal conditions. Party Bus Virginia Beach handles airport-to-venue transfers for groups flying into ORF for ODU events and concerts.
Call 571-662-5565 to coordinate a pickup at Norfolk International and a direct transfer to the arena, or build it into a full-day itinerary that includes hotel stops and the return trip.
Do party buses work for a Chartway Arena night out?
They're one of our most popular options for it. A 15- to 50-passenger party bus with a built-in bar, color-changing LED lighting, and premium sound is a standout choice for birthday groups, bachelorette parties, and workplace outings that want the event experience to begin before anyone walks through the arena doors. The bus holds the group together for the pregame, handles all the parking logistics, and brings everyone home together at a set time — with no one waiting 45 minutes on a surging rideshare app after a packed show.
How far in advance should we book for a Chartway Arena event?
For major ODU basketball games (conference rivalries, senior nights, tournament runs) and nationally touring concerts, booking several weeks in advance is strongly recommended — popular vehicle sizes fill quickly on those dates. For smaller regular-season games and mid-week events, availability tends to be better, but booking early always gives you more vehicle options. Our pricing tool shows live availability in under 30 seconds, or call our team at 571-662-5565 any time to check.
Ready to Book Your Group's Ride to Chartway Arena?
Skip the parking scramble, the post-show surge pricing, and the "where did everyone go" group text. Tell Party Bus Virginia Beach your headcount, your event date, and your pickup location anywhere in Hampton Roads — Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Hampton, Newport News, or anywhere in between — and you'll have an all-inclusive quote in under 30 seconds.
Whether it's a sold-out Monarchs rivalry game, a major concert night, an ODU graduation weekend, or a private celebration with Chartway Arena as the centerpiece, Party Bus Virginia Beach has the right bus and a confirmed plan that gets your whole group there together. With over 15 years of experience and a 24/7 reservations team, we handle the logistics from curb to campus and back. Get your instant quote today, or call us any time at 571-662-5565.
