Directions
To
Machen Retreat and Conference Center

From the north:

Take I-81 south to Exit 225 (Staunton, Virginia). (There is a short cut for those coming from the North at the bottom of this page.)

Go West (right of ramp) on Rt. 262 (old Rt.275) for ~5.1 miles to Churchville Ave / Rt. 250 West exit.  (Note, this is NOT 'Business 250', which runs along Rt. 11.)

Go West on Rt 250 for 30.6 miles to McDowell, VA. (You will go through Churchville and West Augusta before beginning to climb the Shenandoah Mountain. You will cross three (3) mountain peaks. While not mandatory, it recommended that you stop at the Confederate Breastworks at the top of the mountain to enjoy the view.)

As soon as you enter McDowell, Go South on Rt 678 at the Presbyterian Church. This is a Left off of Rt 250.

Go south on 678 for 8.9 miles

The entrance to MRCC will be on the right immediately after descending a small hill with over hanging trees and rounding two left curves (the small hill and these curves are about ½ mile from the entrance).

If you see Rt 609 on the Right you have goon too far. Turn around and go back ½ mile.

From the south:

Go North on I-81 to Troutville (just past Roanoke)

Go North on Rt 220 through Fincastle, past Eagle Rock, to Clifton Forge.

Go EAST on I-64 for about 1 mile and exit onto Rt 42

Go North on Rt 42 to Millboro Springs.

At the stop sign, take a left and go west about 1 mile. Just over the rise is
Rt 678 at the Presbyterian Church.

Turn right on to North Rt 678. Machen is 21 ¼ miles ahead just off Rt 678. (You will cross the Cowpasture River after about 10 miles. Go about 5 more miles to Williamsville. Go past the Presbyterian Church. It is about 5 more miles from here, through the gorge, to MRCC on Rt 678.)

When you come out of the gorge into the valley, go past Rt 609 on the left. In ~1/2 mile the entrance to MRCC will be on the left where Rt 610 enters.

From the east:

Take I-64 West to I-81S.

Go South on I-81 to Exit 220.

Go West on Rt. 262 for ~7.4 miles to Churchville Ave / Rt. 250 West exit.  (Note, this is NOT 'Business 250', which runs along Rt. 11.)

Go West on Rt 250 for 30.6 miles to McDowell, VA. (You will go through Churchville and West Augusta before beginning to climb the Shenandoah Mountain. You will cross three (3) mountain peaks. While not mandatory, it recommended that you stop at the Confederate Breastworks at the top of the mountain to enjoy the view.)

As soon as you enter McDowell, Go South on Rt 678 at the Presbyterian Church. This is a Left off of Rt 250.

Go south on 678 for 8.9 miles

The entrance to MRCC will be on the right immediately after descending a small hill with over hanging trees and rounding two left curves (the small hill and these curves are about ½ mile from the entrance).

If you see Rt 609 on the Right you have goon too far. Turn around and go back ½ mile.

From the west:

Go East on I-64 east past Clifton Forge to Rt 42.

Go North on Rt 42 to Millboro Springs.

At the stop sign, take a left and go west about 1 mile. Just over the rise is
Rt 678 at the Presbyterian Church.

Turn right onto Rt 678 North. Machen is 21 ¼ miles ahead just off Rt 678. (You will cross the Cowpasture River after about 10 miles. Go about 5 more miles to Williamsville. Go past the Presbyterian Church. It is about 5 more miles from here, through the gorge, to MRCC on Rt 678.)

When you come out of the gorge into the valley, go past Rt 609 on the left. In ~1/2 mile the entrance to MRCC will be on the left where Rt 610 enters.

A shortcut for those coming from the North:

Take 81S to Exit 240 (route 257).

Turn Right on to 257 and drive 3.3 miles in to the town of Bridgewater.

Rt. 257 will T into Rt. 42 in Bridgewater.

Turn Left onto Rt. 42 heading South and follow it for just under 12miles (~11.8).

Turn Right onto Jennings Gap Road (SR 736). (This Right turn onto Jennings Gap Rd is easy to miss.  If you do just stay on 42, it also will T into Rt. 250, 3.1 miles to the East of Jennings Gap Rd.  Just turn Right onto 250 and follow to 678 in McDowell.)

This road will T into Rt. 250 in ~3.4 miles.

Turn Right onto Rt. 250 W and follow for 22 miles (over three mountains).

Turn Left onto Rt. 678 heading South at the old Presbyterian Church in McDowell and follow for 8.9 miles.

Turn Right into MRCC.

The entrance to MRCC will be on the right immediately after descending a small hill with over hanging trees and rounding two left curves (the small hill and these curves are about ½ mile from the entrance).

If you see Rt 609 on the Right you have goon too far. Turn around and go back ½ mile.