Facility Overview
The Pedlar Hollow Park and Ride is an official Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) commuter parking facility situated in Montgomery County near Ironto, Virginia. Conveniently positioned right off Interstate 81 at Exit 128, this open-air, ground-level surface lot is designed to facilitate seamless carpooling, vanpooling, and regional transit staging. Because it is a paved, single-level lot with no overhead barriers or parking decks, there are no vertical clearance limits, making it fully accessible for passenger sedans, large pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, conversion vans, and high-profile work vehicles.
Prime Location & Nearby Attractions
Strategically positioned between the New River Valley and the Roanoke Valley, the Pedlar Hollow Park and Ride acts as a vital midpoint for commuters and outdoor travelers across southwest Virginia:
- Virginia Tech & Downtown Blacksburg: Located approximately 18 to 20 miles west (about a 22-minute drive via I-81 and US-460), making this lot a favored staging ground for university faculty, staff, students, and Hokies game-day carpoolers.
- Christiansburg Commercial Corridor: Positioned just 10 miles southwest (a 12-minute drive) from major retail centers, Uptown Christiansburg mall, and numerous regional distribution hubs.
- City of Salem & Roanoke Metro: Salem is situated roughly 16 miles northeast (18 minutes) and downtown Roanoke is approximately 22 miles away (25 minutes), offering direct highway access to major healthcare institutions like Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital and regional corporate centers.
- Outdoor Recreation & North Fork Roanoke River: Immediate access to the scenic rural backroads along North Fork Road (Route 603), popular for cycling, local trout fishing, and day trips into the surrounding Appalachian foothills.
Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity
Entering and exiting the lot is straightforward. Drivers traveling along Interstate 81 take Exit 128 onto North Fork Road (Route 603) and proceed directly to Pedlar Hollow Road. The intersection offers clear sightlines and easy turn lanes, ensuring low-stress entry and exit even during peak morning and evening travel periods. The lot provides prompt re-entry onto I-81 North and South, making it the most seamless transfer hub in the immediate area. In addition, regional vanpools and organized ride-sharing programs regularly use this facility as an agreed-upon pick-up and drop-off point along the I-81 commuter corridor.
Facility Amenities & Key Features
- 100% Free Public Parking: Maintained by VDOT with no hourly fees, daily tariffs, or permits required.
- Unrestricted Headroom: Open-air surface design accommodating standard passenger cars, large pickups, high-top commercial vans, and roof-rack cargo boxes.
- 24/7 Accessibility: Continuous open access 365 days a year to fit early morning shifts, overnight carpools, and weekend travels.
- Designated Accessible Spaces: Clearly marked ADA parking stalls with paved access paths.
- Overhead Lighting: Equipped with dusk-to-dawn highway-grade illumination for visibility during early morning and late night transitions.
- Paved & Marked Stalls: Solid asphalt surface featuring durable painted lane markings and defined parking bays.
Ideal For
- Daily Highway Commuters: Workers traveling between Montgomery County, the Roanoke Valley, and the New River Valley looking to reduce fuel costs and vehicle wear through ridesharing.
- Virginia Tech Eventgoers: Football and basketball fans congregating to consolidate vehicles before heading into Blacksburg on busy game days.
- Commercial Vanpools: State agency and regional employer vanpools coordinating rendezvous points right off the interstate.
- Outdoor Adventurers: Hikers, anglers, and cycling groups meeting to head out into scenic Montgomery and Roanoke County trails.
Visitor & Driver Tips
Because the Pedlar Hollow Park and Ride is an unstaffed, open commuter lot without on-site ticketing, spaces are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking capacity is generally generous, but securing spots before 7:30 AM on typical weekdays guarantees optimal positions. Drivers should note that there are no public restrooms or electric vehicle chargers on-site; travelers needing fuel, snacks, or convenience amenities should stop at the adjacent highway commercial zones at Exit 118 in Christiansburg or Exit 137 in Salem. While the lot is well-lit, travelers leaving vehicles for extended periods should lock their doors, roll up windows, and remove all valuables from sight.
