Directions to NAVSTA, Norfolk, VA

FROM NORTH:

If at all possible, try to get to US-13 South.  I THINK it can be accessed via the Jersey Turnpike, and it becomes DE Rte. 1 South for about 35 miles or so before going back to US-13S.  That is the easiest way to get here, trust me.  It can be taken ALL THE WAY down to Norfolk. The down side is a big, fat, $12 toll to go through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.  You will, however, save MORE than $12 worth of aggravation over driving I95S or I64E.  The bridge-tunnel is 26 miles long and goes over/under the confluence of the Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay, and James River.  As you come off of it, you will be in Norfolk.  Stay on US13S and you will come up on a marked ramp onto I64 West toward Hampton/Richmond.  Get on I64W.  Go about five miles and I64W will open from three to four lanes.  Be sure you are in one of the left two lanes!  At "THE SPLIT", I64 (two lanes) will bear off to the right, and I564W, to the left.  You MUST be on 564W to get to NAVSTA.

If you HAVE to take I95S down towards Richmond, as you approach the city, look for a ramp/flyover onto I295S.  Take I295S for quite a ways.  You will come up on the interchange to I64W/E.  The ramp to your right will take you into Richmond and REALLY get you messed up.  Follow the flyover to the LEFT to merge out on I-64 East.  Take I-64E all the way down through the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (no choice if want to get to Norfolk—and no tolls).  Emerging from the tunnel, get in right hand lane.  Take exit 276A (watch for this, you can whip right by it and not even know) that will bear you off to the right to I564 West.  Stay all the way to the right around the curve.  If you are in the left lane, you will dump on to Granby Street, and you don't want that!  Merge onto I564W and get over into the second lane from the inside.  You MUST be on 564W to get to NAVSTA.

FROM SOUTH:

I-85 North all the way up to South Hill, VA.  Merge onto US58E (I THINK it's exit 12 but don’t hold me to that).  Stay on 58E.  You'll pass through Emporia (good rest stop there), and as you keep going, you'll see signs for Courtland and Carrsville (just to get your bearings).  As you come into Suffolk, the road will be marked for US58/US460/SR337/US13.  Just as long as you're on 58E, you're fine.  As you come into City of Chesapeake, you will be looking for signs to I-64 WEST.  Merge onto I64W.  You'll have to go quite a ways on 64W.  Keep on the lookout for "the SPLIT".  This is where I-64W and I-564W well, split.  Two lanes on the right follow I- 64W.  The two left ones bear left onto 564W.  You MUST be on 564W to get to NAVSTA.

FROM WEST:

See second paragraph under FROM NORTH.  Get on  I-64 East as soon as you can.  Follow from "Take I-64E all the way down through…"

EVERYBODY:

Go under the I564W underpass (above there is a runway, so if you see planes above, DON'T PANIC).  Look for ramp to right for NAVSTA gates 3 and 3A.  Take that ramp and move into left lane for gate 3A (watch for the signal as you approach the gate).  Go through gate 3A (active duty/reserve/retired or cadet ID card will normally get you through).  Proceed straight to the first signal at Gilbert Street.  Turn left on Gilbert.  Pass by several large barracks, the base CO's building, the station galley, and fitness center on your right (speed limit 25).  There will be several smaller roads and signals you will cross.  As you approach a LARGER, divided, four-lane intersection (Maryland Avenue--the signal will likely be flashing, and you will not be able to turn left), look for a three-story red brick building on your right.  This is Constitution Hall, and the site of the training.  You should see a blue sign there at the corner.  The last entry on the sign will say "US Naval Sea Cadet Corps".  Opposite, on Gilbert, is the base Chapel.  Proceed straight through the Maryland Ave. intersection and take your first right into the parking lot. Turn right after entering the parking lot and go toward the white bus and vans parked at the end.  As you are driving to that end of the parking lot, look across the street.  You will be looking at the big, red double-entrance doors of Constitution Hall.  The doors will be closed, and you will see the two signs for "Top Hatters Squadron, NSCC", and the skipper's contact number on the doors.  This is where you must enter.  Our barracks is on the third floor.  MAKE SURE YOU CROSS THE STREET AT THE SIGNAL.  DO NOT CHEAT!  BASE POLICE ARE EVERYWHERE!  Turn left immediately after you cross Maryland Ave. and turn right up the first sidewalk going toward the red doors.  If there is nobody there attending, come all the way up to the third deck and enter our facility.  Drivers MUST accompany their cadets into the facility and STAY until ID cards, records, and seabags are inspected.  You can also obtain gate passes for vehicles returning to attend graduation and pick up cadets.  There will only be a limited number of passes!  Plan to consolidate drivers and passengers to the extent possible when returning.