The nearest big city to the University is Washington, DC - about 130 miles by road from campus.

BY ROAD

JMU is located just off Interstate 81. The Interstate Highway System is a network of high speed roads (also called freeways or expressways) serving nearly all major U.S. cities. The campus is close to Interstate 81's Exit 245, so the Highway is easily accessible.

From the JMU campus it is around a two-hour drive to Washington, DC. See estimated driving times to other US cities on the left of the page.

Share a ride
JMU has an online Student Ride Board offering shared road travel in private vehicles. The cost will vary but will most likely be sharing the cost of gas. You can post a need for a ride to a desired location or the ability to provide transportation to others. This is also a great way to meet other JMU students!

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BY AIR

Nearest regional airport
Shenandoah Valley Airport (SHD) in Weyers Cave, is about 25 minutes south of campus. There is a shuttle service ($25 round-trip) between the airport and James Madison University.

Connections with IAD
Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport offers quick and convenient access to the rest of the USA through United Airlines flights to and from Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD), which link with major national, and international, airline services. There are three departures and arrivals each weekday to IAD, and the flight time is 45 minutes.

See example flight times from Washington DC's airport (IAD) to major US cities on the left of the page.

Larger regional airport
Charlottesville-Albermarle Airport (CHO), is a 75 minute car journey from JMU. It offers more options than Shenandoah Valley Airport, with daily direct flights to and from Charlotte, Philadelphia, New York/LaGuardia, Washington/Dulles, Cincinnati, Detroit, and Atlanta. CHO is served by 4 airlines.

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BY TRAIN

Amtrak
The nearest Amtrak station is Staunton, 30 minutes south of JMU. Staunton is on the rail route linking New York, Washington DC, Indianapolis and Chicago. Amtrak is is a government-owned corporation that provides intercity passenger train services in the US.

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BY BUS

Greyhound:
The nearest Greyhound Bus station is Charlottesville, 1 hour from JMU. Washington DC is a 3 hour journey by bus from Charlottesville. Greyhound is the largest intercity bus company, serving more than 2,300 destinations. It is an affordable way to travel.

College Transit:
Transportation for JMU students during vacations (e.g. Thanksgiving, Winter Break, Spring Break) is provided for travel to destinations throughout Virginia as well as New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut. All trips start from and return to a JMU residence.

It is approximately 1 mile from the University campus to the center of the city of Harrisonburg.

On foot
You can walk from the JMU campus to downtown Harrisonburg in 15-20 minutes.

By bus
Harrison Department of Public Transportation bus services are free for JMU students. Local buses run regularly around campus, and between campus and Harrisonburg - to the mall, movies, shopping, etc. The service runs until 3am on Friday and Saturday nights, and until 11.50pm on other nights. Note that Campus Routes operate ONLY during JMU's fall and spring semesters.

By taxi
Yellow Cab and ABC Cab Company provide a 24 hour service throughout Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.