Arriving @ Roo - A GA Comprehensive Guide

Going by this map, you come in through I-24. We came in through this way around 9 a.m. or so on Thursday two years in a row. We managed to score close spots both times.

Random question about arriving. I went to Bonnaroo in 2013 and ended up in Camp Dillon, great spot 5 mins away from the side gate. Missed 2014 but am hoping to get back in 2015. Only issue is, I am pretty sure I won't be able to make it at all Thursday and wouldn't end up on the farm until late Friday afternoon/night. How far of a spot do you think I would get in GA? I know it wouldn't be a close pod but how bad do you think it would be? Anyone with experience of arriving late Friday afternoon/night? Would love to know because it more than likely will base whether I go or not, or get GA or VIP tickets as I will be coming from Richmond, VA; about a 9 hour drive....

Yea, I think the walk times tend to get exaggerated around here. I've been able to make it to the gate from pod 10 in 20ish minutes each of the last 2 years. The talks of 50 minute walks seem a little crazy to me, those are probably some extremely leisure strolls. So, while you are going to be in one of the furthest away spots coming in on Friday...I don't think it is going to be anything crazy.

Were there bad waits last year? Maybe I missed them. I remember basically walking in both days and it being a massive improvement from previous years where we stood in line for seemingly hours (probably 45 minutes)

I don't know why I said "both" days. Early morning pre-coffee posting alert.

I thought the line situation was much better last year. In recent years, there were times when the arch line stretched all the way over toward the clock tower and seemed to take forever to move even a bit, especially early on Thursday and noonish on Friday. I don't remember any of that nonsense in 2014, though I was unable to stick to a schedule and nothing went as I planned it, but that had nothing to do with lines. I just remember walking right up to the arch and getting into line to be searched, which seemed to go smoothly and quickly, and I did go in and out quite a few times.

I do recall a couple of times in 2012 (I think) when the lines were so ridiculous at the ferris wheel entrance that a supervisor came over and just started waiving hordes of people through, unsearched.

That is pretty early, around the time they begin opening entrances, no? I've arrived around then several times, and gotten different results. Using the East tollbooths, an early Wednesday arrival has given me nice spots in Pod 2 a couple of times - not super close, but certainly not far, and sometimes you end up with glorious shade there which makes it worth staying put. The same strategy in 2013 got me sent straight to the back of Pod 1 (BFE), from where you can not leave until 8 or 9 Thursday morning, which is inconvenient but should not keep you form finding room in Tent Only.

Last year I was a little later (7 or 8 PM) and decided to try the West tollbooths for a change, and ended up back in Pod 2 - away from the trees this time but closer to the arch. I had a medical issue and decided to stay there rather than dragging my shit to TO, since it wasn't that far of a walk at all.

I know nothing about the highway entrance - used the East tollbooths 4 times, West entrance once. Everyone has their own plans and ideas about arriving, yet we generally end up agreeing that it is all sort of luck of the draw. In any case, you will probably not get shut out of TO no matter where they make you park. If you get in line around when you plan you could be in and parked within an hour or two, but it all depends on traffic and everyone else's plans, of course. I like arriving on Wednesday just so I can rest up a bit after driving all day and be relatively fresh then when the music starts, but it does not guarantee a great parking spot.

we usually enter around the same time each year 4-5pmish on wed. the frist two years were RV so it was a little different. last year we came in from the back entrance and got in pod 2 and it was a fantastic spot

When my groop arrived in Manchester last year we had the hardest time finding the actual grounds. They kept telling us to go down this one road and turn at a certain point, we never found it and kept getting lost in and back roads of Manchester for over an hour, it was miserable. We finally after what felt like an eternity, got directed the right way by some coppers. Are there any tips on avoiding this or a fool proof way to find an entrance because there were no signs and the volunteers weren't helping at all.

This same thing happened to us! We ended up in a caravan...After we went well past the grounds (per the GPS) i just turned around, but the rest of the cars just kept going...who knows how long they drove

womp womp

I have read up on this today, and I am not having anxiety again about driving here.

I have a question about carpooling. My friends and I each got our tickets at different times so in theory, we should all get a campsite. I have read/heard that because we are carpooling, we will only get one campsite for the four of us (which sucks because we have a lot of gear and a big ass tent). Is this true? Is there a way we can each get a campsite, possibly by lettings the tollbooth person know? I have also heard that people get out and walk behind the car they are riding in so that they get their own campsite but then there is the issue of possibly not being able to camp together. Any information is greatly appreciated. I want our first time at Bonnaroo to be one to remember (together, preferably).

My only advice is to take two cars. If people get out of the car and walk, they'll probably be directed to Tent Only.