Hampton Boulevard is one of Norfolk's longest four-lane corridors without a highway on-ramp — a city street that runs from downtown straight to the Old Dominion University campus with nothing in between to absorb the traffic. On a regular weekday, the drive to Chartway Arena at the Ted Constant Convocation Center (4320 Hampton Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23529) takes about 15 minutes from anywhere in the city. Add 8,000-plus fans heading to a sold-out Monarchs rivalry game or a major touring act, and that four-lane street turns into a slow crawl from the 43rd Street intersection outward — with everyone in both garages trying to exit at once post-event while rideshare queues stack up on Hampton Blvd. Rent one bus to Chartway Arena, and the whole picture changes.
Your group boards together, gets dropped at the arena's designated 45th Street entrance steps from the main lobby, and is retrieved at an agreed window when the final buzzer sounds — while everyone who drove is still winding down the garage ramps. Below, you'll find exactly how bus drop-off works at Chartway Arena, what the two adjacent garages cost and when they're free, how to approach from Virginia Beach, Newport News, or Portsmouth without getting caught in a tunnel backup, and which vehicle actually fits your headcount. Partybusnorfolk.com connects you to a large network of bus companies serving Norfolk, so you can compare options and get a quote in under 30 seconds. Call 757-447-5000 or use the quick online form any time — no account required.
Why Rent a Party Bus or Charter Bus to Chartway Arena
The arena's parking situation is genuinely good by college-venue standards — two dedicated garages, mostly free for basketball, close to the building. What's not so good is what happens when both those garages try to empty at the same time. Hampton Boulevard has no relief valve.
There's no parallel arterial, no highway ramp that bypasses the corridor. Every car from both the Constant Center 43rd Street and 45th Street Garages feeds back onto Hampton Blvd simultaneously, and rideshare supply on that stretch tightens up fast post-event.
For groups coming from outside Norfolk, the challenge starts before they even reach campus. Groups coming from Newport News or Hampton cross the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel on I-64 — a corridor with a well-established reputation for event-night backup. Groups from Virginia Beach work west on I-264 before picking up Hampton Boulevard.
Groups from Portsmouth and Chesapeake come through the Downtown or Midtown Tunnel, where the Elizabeth River Crossings tunnels see over three million vehicles a month on the downtown route alone. None of those approaches have a shortcut. One bus handles all of it: one pickup, one route in, one retrieval, no coordination scramble.
For Norfolk sporting event transportation and concert groups alike, that's the logic that makes a bus rental to Chartway Arena worth it.
Charter Bus & Party Bus Drop-Off at Chartway Arena
Drop-off at Chartway Arena centers on the 45th Street (North) entrance — the arena's designated accessible drop-off and pick-up zone, per the venue's own A-Z Guide and Directions & Parking page. This entrance has an elevator that carries guests directly to the concourse and VIP levels, so your group steps off the bus and into the arena without a garage-walk. The venue directs rideshare vehicles to Hampton Boulevard as well, making the commercial curb on Hampton Blvd near 45th Street the natural staging area for bus arrivals and departures.
For pickup after the game or show, set a clear rallying point with your group before anyone heads inside — the 45th Street entrance is the cleanest common meeting spot, with the elevator as a visible landmark. Most events open doors approximately one hour before the scheduled start time. For any accessibility needs, the arena's guest services line is (757) 683-5762.
Because drop-off logistics can shift by event type, check the official Chartway Arena Directions & Parking page before your visit to confirm current protocols.
The 45th Street entrance is Chartway Arena's designated drop-off and pick-up zone — with an elevator straight to the concourse level. That's where your bus delivers the group and picks them up post-event, while everyone who drove is still queued on a garage ramp.
Parking at Chartway Arena: The Two Garages and What It Costs
All event parking at Chartway Arena runs through two structures. The Constant Center 43rd Street Garage sits on the south side of the arena with entrances off 41st and 43rd Streets. The Constant Center 45th Street Garage is on the north side with entrances off 45th and 46th Streets.
Both are five-level structures directly on Hampton Boulevard — the walk from any level to the arena entrance is short. Capacity across both garages totals approximately 2,200 spaces.
For ODU Monarchs basketball games, upper garage levels are free for attendees; lower levels are reserved for VIP donors and season ticket holders. For concerts and non-ODU events, parking passes are sold separately and the arena strongly encourages advance purchase — on-site purchases cost more, and availability isn't guaranteed for high-demand shows. Advance parking is available through the official Chartway Arena directions and parking page before your event.
When both garages reach capacity — which happens for major concerts — ODU opens the 43rd & Elkhorn Garage at 4310 Elkhorn Ave as overflow, one block from the facility, with shuttle service running to the arena. Standard ODU visitor parking when free event parking isn't in effect runs $1 per 30 minutes via MobilePay; a daily permit is $10.
One detail that surprises first-timers: the 45th Street Garage's first level is restricted to hotel guests from the adjacent SpringHill Suites Norfolk Old Dominion University (4500 Hampton Blvd). If you're self-parking, you'll be directed to upper levels. That same first floor has the highest clearance in the garage — and it's still unavailable to event parkers for most programs.
Which brings up the charter bus reality: standard charter buses run 12 feet 6 inches to 13 feet 6 inches in height. The 43rd Street Garage measures 8'2" on the first floor and 6'9" on upper floors. The 45th Street Garage measures 11'3" on the first floor.
Neither garage accommodates a full-size coach. Your bus drops the group at the 45th Street entrance and stages on Hampton Boulevard — one vehicle, no garage space needed, ready when the event ends.
Getting to Chartway Arena from Across Hampton Roads
Every Hampton Roads city eventually arrives on Hampton Boulevard. What changes is the route to get there — and how many bottlenecks are in the way.
From downtown Norfolk: Hampton Boulevard runs directly from the downtown core to the ODU campus — roughly 4 miles, 10 to 15 minutes off-peak. The Brambleton Avenue corridor connects cleanly to Hampton Blvd heading north; the turn is well-marked. The ODU campus begins around 38th Street, and the arena sits between 43rd and 45th.
From Virginia Beach: Take I-264 West and exit at 11B, then head north via Church Street and E 27th Street to Hampton Boulevard. Off-peak, expect 20 to 30 minutes from central Virginia Beach. For evening event starts when westbound I-264 traffic is heavy, build in extra buffer — that corridor collects Virginia Beach commuter traffic before it ever reaches the ODU-area streets.
From Newport News and Hampton: The main route is I-64 East through the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, exiting at 276. From Exit 276, follow I-564 East to Terminal Boulevard, then turn left on Hampton Boulevard at the third traffic light and continue approximately 3 miles to 43rd/45th Street. Per the ODU Athletics directions page, that's the documented northern approach directly to Chartway Arena.
The HRBT is the main pinch point — 25 to 35 minutes from central Newport News off-peak can extend meaningfully when event traffic and peak bridge volume align on the same evening.
From Chesapeake and Portsmouth: From Chesapeake, take I-464 North to I-264 East, exiting at exit 9 for St. Paul's Boulevard, then north to Hampton Boulevard. From Portsmouth, Route 58 through the Downtown Tunnel puts you on St. Paul's Boulevard in Norfolk, which leads north to Hampton Boulevard. The Downtown Tunnel carries over three million vehicles a month — a post-work event start time can put you in tunnel backup well before you're even on Hampton Blvd. Per the Chartway Arena directions page, groups from the south can also come up from I-85/I-95 via Route 58 through the Downtown Tunnel, right onto St. Paul's Boulevard, left at the third light onto Brambleton Avenue, then follow signs to Hampton Boulevard.
From Norfolk International Airport (ORF): The arena is approximately 15 minutes from ORF under normal conditions, per the arena's own hotel and visitor information. For groups flying in and heading directly to a game or show, a single bus pickup at the terminal connects everyone at baggage claim and arrives at the 45th Street entrance without anyone sorting out rideshare from the curb. The Norfolk International Airport shuttle guide covers ORF's ground transportation pickup zones in detail.
| From… | Approx. distance | Typical drive time (off-peak) | Key bottleneck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Norfolk | ~4 miles | 10–15 minutes | Hampton Blvd event congestion |
| Norfolk International Airport (ORF) | ~5–7 miles | ~15 minutes | Airport connector to Hampton Blvd |
| Virginia Beach (central) | ~15 miles | 20–30 minutes | I-264 W westbound evening flow |
| Chesapeake / Portsmouth | ~12–15 miles | 20–30 minutes | Downtown / Midtown Tunnel |
| Hampton | ~20–25 miles | 25–40 minutes | HRBT + I-64 event volume |
| Newport News | ~22–27 miles | 30–45 minutes | HRBT + I-64 event volume |
Chartway Arena Transportation Options Compared
Here's an honest look at every realistic way a Hampton Roads group gets to Chartway Arena, with the trade-offs laid out clearly.
| Option | Cost shape | Arrive together? | Drop-off point | Best group size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private charter bus or party bus | One flat rate, split by the group | Yes — one vehicle, one arrival | Best — 45th Street entrance, steps from lobby | 15–56 |
| Rideshare (Uber / Lyft) | Per car each way + post-event surge on Hampton Blvd | No — multiple cars, staggered ETAs | Hampton Blvd curbside — group regroups outside | 1–4 per car |
| HRT Route 4 (public bus) | Per-person fare, low cost | Only if everyone boards the same bus | Hampton Blvd stop near campus | Any, but no group control |
| Everyone drives & parks | Per-car parking (free for basketball, paid for concerts) + gas | No — caravans split at stoplights | 43rd or 45th Street Garage — walk from level | 1–2 cars |
For a single person or a small group traveling light, Hampton Roads Transit Route 4 runs between Downtown Norfolk and Old Dominion University along Hampton Boulevard — a low-cost option that gets you to campus without worrying about parking. For a group of 12 or more, that math shifts fast: separate rideshares mean separate arrival windows, a scattered post-event pickup scramble, and separate fares both ways. One bus keeps everyone on the same itinerary from departure to return.
Groups coming across the HRBT from Newport News also avoid the tunnel toll on a per-car basis — one charter bus means one toll instead of eight.
What Size Charter Bus or Party Bus Rental Does Your Chartway Arena Group Need?
Group size is the starting point, and Chartway Arena hosts everything from 1,500-person private events to near-capacity concerts — the right vehicle depends on your actual headcount. Here is how the full vehicle lineup breaks down for a Chartway Arena run.
| Vehicle | Typical seats | Best for | Key amenities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sprinter van or 14-passenger Sprinter limo | Up to ~14 | Small office groups, suite holders, family outings | Climate control, USB charging, privacy tint |
| Party bus (15–50 passengers) | 15–50 | Fan groups wanting pregame energy on the ride in | LED lighting, flat-panel TVs, Bluetooth sound, wraparound seating |
| 15–35 passenger minibus | 15–35 | Mid-size groups; nimble on Hampton Blvd | Reclining seats, powerful A/C, overhead storage |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | Up to 56 | Large fan groups, graduation families, corporate outings | Undercarriage bays, onboard restrooms, WiFi, power outlets, reclining seats |
A minibus handles Hampton Boulevard and the 45th Street approach cleanly — its tighter turning radius is a real practical advantage on a four-lane city street flanked by parked cars and pedestrian crossings. For groups under 35, a minibus is usually the right fit. Go above 35 and a full-size charter bus earns its keep, especially for out-of-town groups coming across the HRBT who want onboard restrooms for the longer haul.
ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network — note your needs in the quote request at least 48 hours before your event date.
Chartway Arena Charter Bus & Party Bus Rental Prices
Party bus and charter bus rental prices for a Chartway Arena run depend on vehicle size, how many hours you need the bus, where your group is starting from, and the date. To give you an idea of planning ranges: a 15–35 passenger minibus typically runs $200–$275 per hour on weekdays and $200–$275 on weekends. A 25-passenger party bus generally runs $250–$375 per hour on a weekend evening.
A 40–56 passenger charter bus usually runs $200–$350 per hour. These are planning ranges only — the real number moves with your specific date, vehicle, pickup location, and hours on the itinerary.
The per-person math is worth running. A group of 40 splitting one charter bus fare often lands at less per head than four or five separate round-trip rideshares — especially for Newport News and Virginia Beach groups factoring in the return-trip surge pricing that builds up on Hampton Blvd after a sold-out show. Check the Norfolk party bus prices page for more context on planning ranges, or call 757-447-5000 any time for a free quote — Partybusnorfolk.com gets you pricing in under 30 seconds with no account required and no obligation.
Events at Chartway Arena That Fill the Garages
ODU Monarchs men's and women's basketball (November through March). The Monarchs play their home schedule at Chartway Arena in the Sun Belt Conference, and the venue has led conference attendance in multiple recent seasons. Rivalry matchups — including the crosstown Norfolk State game — and conference title races push the arena toward its 8,472-seat basketball capacity, which is exactly when both garages fill up and Hampton Blvd slows post-game.
For Norfolk sporting event bus rentals, a Monarchs game is one of the most common group runs in the city — especially for fan groups crossing from Virginia Beach or coming over the HRBT from the Peninsula.
Concerts and touring acts. Chartway Arena's concert configuration expands capacity to 9,520, and the venue has hosted major touring artists over its history including Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and Elton John. Current upcoming programming includes Barry Manilow (August 8), Josh Groban with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra (August 16), and Meek Mill (September 12).
When the arena approaches concert capacity, parking shifts from free to ticketed — advance purchase is strongly recommended per the venue's own guidance — and the post-show Hampton Blvd exit is noticeably slower than a basketball night. A Norfolk concert party bus rental puts your group at the 45th Street entrance on arrival and retrieves everyone at an agreed window post-show, while the rest of the crowd sorts out the garage exit queue.
High school graduations and ODU commencement. Chartway Arena hosts graduation ceremonies for multiple Norfolk-area high schools as well as Old Dominion University's own commencement in May and December. These events bring the single largest influx of families from across Hampton Roads in a concentrated window — dozens of cars from different cities, all arriving within the same one-hour pre-ceremony stretch.
ODU runs shuttle service from the 43rd & Elkhorn overflow garage during commencement, but large family groups who coordinate one bus from a central pickup point skip that entire shuffle: one vehicle, one arrival, no one searching for a parking spot in a garage that filled up 45 minutes before the ceremony started.
AEW Dynamite and other special events. Chartway Arena regularly hosts special events outside its standard sports-and-concert calendar — including AEW Presents Dynamite (September 16). These events tend to draw fans from across the region who aren't regulars at the venue and aren't familiar with the parking and exit flow.
First-timers are usually the most surprised by how fast the garage fills and how long Hampton Blvd backs up post-event. One bus handles all of that before it becomes your problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does a charter bus or party bus drop off at Chartway Arena?
Drop-off at Chartway Arena is at the 45th Street (North) entrance — the arena's designated drop-off and pick-up zone, per the venue's published accessibility and visitor guidance. This entrance has an elevator that runs directly to the concourse and VIP levels. The venue's rideshare guidance also directs vehicles to Hampton Boulevard near this entrance, so the commercial curb on Hampton Blvd at 45th Street is the natural arrival and retrieval point for buses and large vehicles.
For the current drop-off protocol specific to your event, check the official Chartway Arena Directions & Parking page.
Is there free parking at Chartway Arena?
For ODU basketball games, the upper levels of both the Constant Center 43rd Street and 45th Street Garages are free for attendees — lower levels are reserved for VIP donors and season ticket holders. For concerts and non-ODU events, parking passes are sold separately and the arena strongly recommends purchasing in advance since on-site prices are higher. When both garages fill for major events, overflow goes to the 43rd & Elkhorn Garage one block away with shuttle service to the arena.
Review the official Chartway Arena parking page to buy passes ahead of your event.
Can a charter bus park in the Chartway Arena garages?
No. The Constant Center 43rd Street Garage has 8'2" clearance on the first floor and 6'9" on upper floors — well below the 12'6" to 13'6" height of a standard charter bus. The 45th Street Garage's first floor clears 11'3", which still doesn't accommodate a full-size motorcoach. Charter buses drop your group at the 45th Street entrance and stage on Hampton Boulevard or in a nearby staging area while your group is inside.
For the specific staging arrangement for your event, contact Chartway Arena guest services at (757) 683-5762.
How do I get to Chartway Arena from Virginia Beach?
From Virginia Beach, take I-264 West and exit at 11B, then head north via Church Street and East 27th Street to Hampton Boulevard. The arena is at 4320 Hampton Blvd, on the right as you continue north through the ODU campus toward 43rd and 45th Streets. Off-peak, expect 20 to 30 minutes.
For a sold-out event with heavy westbound I-264 traffic, build in extra time — evening starts on busy arena nights push against the standard commuter flow heading out of downtown Norfolk.
How do I get to Chartway Arena from Newport News or Hampton?
The documented route from the north is I-64 East through the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, Exit 276, then I-564 East to Terminal Boulevard, left on Hampton Boulevard at the third traffic light, and approximately 3 miles south to the arena at 43rd/45th Street — per ODU Athletics' directions page. The HRBT is the primary timing variable. Budget 30 to 45 minutes from central Newport News and up to 40 minutes from central Hampton on event nights when bridge traffic builds.
How do I get to Chartway Arena from Chesapeake or Portsmouth?
From Chesapeake, take I-464 North to I-264 East, exit at 9 for St. Paul's Boulevard, then head north to Hampton Boulevard. From Portsmouth, Route 58 through the Downtown Tunnel connects to St. Paul's Boulevard in Norfolk, which leads north to Hampton Boulevard — per the arena's own directional guidance. Both approaches run through tunnel corridors that carry heavy regional volume daily; post-work event starts can put you in tunnel backup 30 minutes before you reach Hampton Blvd.
How far is Chartway Arena from Norfolk International Airport?
Norfolk International Airport (ORF) is approximately 15 minutes from Chartway Arena, per the venue's own visitor information. For groups flying in and heading directly to an event, one bus pickup at the ORF terminal connects everyone at baggage claim and arrives at the 45th Street entrance without anyone coordinating rideshare in the pickup lane. See the Norfolk ORF airport shuttle guide for details on the airport's ground transportation pickup procedures.
Is public transit available to Chartway Arena?
Yes. Hampton Roads Transit Route 4 runs between the Downtown Norfolk Transit Center and Old Dominion University along Hampton Boulevard, per ODU's own transit resources. For a solo attendee or a pair traveling light, Route 4 is a solid low-cost option.
For a group of 15 or more who want to arrive together at a specific time with a guaranteed post-event retrieval window, Route 4 can't match what a private bus provides — you're still on the public bus's schedule, not your own, and everyone has to board the same trip to stay together.
How far in advance should I book a bus to Chartway Arena?
For regular-season Monarchs games and weeknight shows, two to four weeks of lead time is typically workable. For sold-out concerts — especially major touring acts — and graduation season (May for high school ceremonies, May and December for ODU commencement), four to eight weeks ahead is the smarter target. The right vehicles go first, and the closer you get to a sold-out date, the fewer options remain.
Call 757-447-5000 or fill out the quick online form to check availability for your specific date.
What is the bag policy at Chartway Arena?
Chartway Arena prohibits glass bottles, aluminum cans, ice chests, coolers, and outside food and beverages. Clear bags are encouraged. Most cameras are prohibited at concerts unless the specific event allows them.
The venue enforces a no re-entry policy: any guest who leaves during an event must present an unused ticket to return. Review the official Chartway Arena FAQs and the arena's event-specific policies before your visit, as prohibited items vary by event.
Find Your Chartway Arena Bus Rental Through Partybusnorfolk.com
Whether it's a group of Monarchs fans coming over the HRBT from Newport News for a rivalry game, a family group heading to ODU commencement, or a party of 40 for a sold-out concert night — one bus to Chartway Arena handles the whole trip without the Hampton Blvd coordination headache on either end. Partybusnorfolk.com connects you to a large network of bus companies serving Norfolk and all of Hampton Roads, so you can compare party buses, charter buses, and minibuses in under 30 seconds. No account required, free quote, and a support team is available any time. Call 757-447-5000 or fill out the quick online form to get your group on the road.
Also planning an event at a different Norfolk venue? The Norfolk Scope Arena bus guide covers that venue's drop-off and parking logistics, and the Norfolk group transportation page is a good starting point for multi-stop itineraries across the region.
