The University of Massachusetts Amherst can be conveniently accessed by driving or local airport, or train. The area is also close to many scenic and historic places in the New England area, for those who wish to combine previous or subsequent sightseeing with a trip to the meeting.
Schematic local area map.
Campus area maps.
Driving to UMass Amherst (for GPS, the address of the Integrated Sciences Building is 660 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01003)
From the North, take U.S. Rte 91 South to exit 25, then take Rte 116 east (cross Connecticut River at Sunderland Bridge) for about 8 miles until signs show UMass Amherst exit.
From the East, take Mass Pike U.S. Rte 90 east (toll road) to exit 4, then take Rte 91 North to exit 19, then turn right off exit onto Rte 9 east. Go about 4-5 miles until Rte 116 North (turn left at a traffic light, when you see a Staples on your right). Go about 1 mile on Rte 116 and exit right toward UMass Amherst where signs indicate. Go uphill past a blinking light and a trafffic light, then turn left at the second traffic light. Go straight (past the Integrated Sciences Building) to the next light. The conference dormitory apartment housing will be to the right and ahead, up a slight rise.
From the West, take Mass Pike U.S. Rte 90 west (as of 10/2009, toll free to the UMass exit) to exit 4, then take Rte 91 North to exit 19, then turn right off exit onto Rte 9 east. Go about 4-5 miles until Rte 116 North (turn left at a traffic light, when you see a Staples on your right). Go about 1 mile on Rte 116 and exit right toward UMass Amherst where signs indicate. Go uphill past a blinking light and a trafffic light, then turn left at the second traffic light. Go straight (past the Integrated Sciences Building) to the next light. The conference dormitory apartment housing will be to the right and ahead, up a slight rise.
From the South, U.S. Rte 91 North to 19, then turn right off exit onto Rte 9 east. Go about 4-5 miles until Rte 116 North (turn left at a traffic light, when you see a Staples on your right). Go about 1 mile on Rte 116 and exit right toward UMass Amherst where signs indicate. Go uphill past a blinking light and a trafffic light, then turn left at the second traffic light. Go straight (past the Integrated Sciences Building) to the next light. The conference dormitory apartment housing will be to the right and ahead, up a slight rise.
Train Access. Amtrak has an Amherst station stop as part of the Vermonter run, but the future of this service is in doubt as of 8/2009. The Amherst station is about 1 mile from the center of Amherst, and about 3 miles from UMass Amherst. Cab service is limited, but there are relatively frequent buses onto campus from nearby Amherst center. The closest frequent stop for Amtrak is in Springfield; this requires a 30-40 min drive north along Route 91 (see above).
Airport Access. Bradley International Airport (aka BDL, or Hartford-Springfield) in Connecticut is a convenient air hub for UMass Amherst. The university can be reached in 45-60 min (normal traffic), most of which is on a major interstate highway, Route 91 North.
To get from Bradley International Airport to UMass Amherst, Valley Transporter and Seemo Shuttle provide transport to the UMass campus for about $40 each way. There are numerous auto rental companies at the airport (see the directions for driving "From the South", above). There is no bus service, regrettably. If you make a reservation with Valley Transporter, say you are with the UMass Amherst Reaction Mechanisms Conference to save $10 each way between Bradley and the UMass area.
Many flights to the area end in eastern New England, in the Boston area. Manchester Boston Regional Airport in NH is a convenient alternative to Boston's main urban connection at Logan Airport in Boston. The trip from either Manchester or Logan to UMass Amherst is about 2 h. The Manchester drive is more scenic; the Logan drive allows one to see more autombiles. Most of the Manchester drive can be done on secondary highways. Most of the Logan drive is on the Massachusetts Turnpike, Route 90 East (toll road, see above).
