About this Location

Facility Overview

The 28 Alum Springs Rd Parking facility is a designated open-air public commuter surface lot situated at the junction of Alum Springs Road (Route 858) and the US-460 corridor in southwest Lynchburg, right on the border of Campbell and Bedford counties near historic New London. Designed with ease of mobility and ridesharing in mind, this ground-level parking lot features a spacious asphalt layout with wide driving aisles and clearly striped parking stalls.

Because the lot is entirely uncovered and free of overhead architectural barriers, there are no vertical clearance limits. Drivers operating full-size pickup trucks, passenger vans, high-roof work vehicles, and large SUVs can navigate the aisles and park comfortably without worrying about low clearance. Stalls are generously spaced, making parking and maneuvering effortless even during busy morning commuter rush periods.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Situated in a strategic junction connecting greater Lynchburg with western suburban communities and the Roanoke corridor, this lot serves as a vital transit staging point and recreation access lot. Nearby highlights include:

Historic New London & Mead's Tavern: Located just under 1 mile away (a 2-minute drive), this colonial settlement area features notable historic landmarks including Mead's Tavern, the Bedford Alum Springs Hotel historic grounds, and Revolutionary-era sites.
Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest: Jefferson's renowned octagonal architectural retreat and museum is located roughly 6 miles north (about a 10-minute drive).
Liberty University Campus: Centrally accessible via US-460 East, Liberty University—including Williams Stadium, the Vines Center, and Liberty Arena—is approximately an 8- to 10-minute drive (7 miles), making this location popular for ride-sharing to campus events.
Lynchburg Regional Airport (LYH): Situated roughly 7 miles east along US-460, accessible in about 10 minutes.
Timberlake Commercial Corridor: Just 2 miles north along Timberlake Road, offering a variety of supermarkets, local cafes, fast-casual dining, and retail options.
University of Lynchburg: Positioned approximately 9 miles northeast towards midtown Lynchburg.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

The facility provides straightforward ingress and egress directly via Alum Springs Road (State Route 858), situated just seconds from the New London Drive intersection and the multi-lane US-460 (Lynchburg Highway). Vehicles can enter and exit without bottlenecking, thanks to clear visibility along the roadway. US-460 serves as the primary expressway leading directly toward downtown Lynchburg and Route 29 to the east, or Bedford and Roanoke to the west. While suburban rail service is not present in this sector, regional carpools, vanpools, and park-and-ride users rely heavily on this node for coordinated highway commuting.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Free Public Commuter Parking: Open for community and commuter use at no hourly or daily cost.
Open-Air Headroom: Ground-level surface parking with zero height restrictions, accommodating oversized vehicles and vans.
Designated Accessible Spaces: Marked ADA-compliant parking stalls situated with level access.
Paved & Marked Stalls: Clean asphalt surface equipped with distinct boundary line markings.
Lighting: Overhead dusk-to-dawn lighting designed to assist early-morning departures and late-night arrivals.
Low Congestion Turnaround: Generous turning radii suitable for full-size pickups, utility trailers, and family vans.

Ideal For

Highway Commuters & Carpoolers: Drivers ridesharing along the US-460 route between Bedford, Forest, and Lynchburg employment centers.
University Students & Staff: Liberty University and University of Lynchburg community members coordinating shared rides during peak class days or game days.
Heritage Visitors: Guests touring the historic New London preservation district, Mead's Tavern events, and nearby Poplar Forest.
Weekend Travelers: Day trippers and outdoor enthusiasts assembling carpools heading to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Peaks of Otter, or Smith Mountain Lake.

Visitor & Driver Tips

When entering the lot from US-460, slow your speed as you transition onto New London Drive and turn onto Alum Springs Road, where the speed limit is lower and visibility around curves requires attention. As with all open-air commuter park-and-ride facilities, ensure your vehicle is locked, windows are fully rolled up, and all personal belongings or electronic valuables are stowed out of sight before heading out. If you are meeting a carpool or rideshare group during morning peak hours (7:00 AM – 8:30 AM), plan to arrive 5–10 minutes early to choose an optimal spot near the main entrance.