Question re: Getting to the Big House from the West + Parking
Mates,
My knowledge of Ann Arbor west of Main St. isn't enough to wad a shotgun. I remember 40+ yrs ago in training camp they had us take timed 3-5 mile runs west of Yost, but I was too busy running to pay attention the streets. Also, I have never driven into AA from the west. Saturday afternoon will be my first time and I'm trying to figure out what the best route into town might be and what the parking would be like. Basic circumstances are these:
Coming west on I-94, hoping to be in/around AA by, say, 5:00. We are used to parking for free and walking 1-1/12 miles to the stadium. I could break out in hives if I had to pay. Country mice are pretty frugal.
I have been studying the map, link here: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ann+Arbor,+MI/@42.2753621,-83.7604503,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x883cb00dd4431f33:0xdb09f94686c8b5e2!8m2!3d42.2808256!4d-83.7430378?hl=en
Questions are these:
1. What would the drive be like if I try to take the Miller Rd exit from the 14 and head toward downtown? Pretty packed with traffic? No big deal at that time of day? What other/better route from the west would you suggest?
2. Parking: Is there on-street parking a mile or more north of the stadium, say a few blocks west (or east) of Main?
Thanks for your help.
XM
p.s. I predict a bounce-back game v. IU. The team has heart and they will be ticked about having a win semi-stolen from them.
November 3rd, 2021 at 1:43 PM ^
I used to live around Pauline and Stadium and it was a great location for driving/parking if you're willing to walk.
November 3rd, 2021 at 1:46 PM ^
Used to come in from Saline and would deliberately go Wagner to Liberty to avoid traffic. Take Liberty in from the west side (94 to Zeeb or Jackson/Stadium to Liberty or 14 to Maple/Stadium to Liberty) and park anywhere near Eberwhite Elementary.
Bonus: getting out is quick and relatively easy when turning onto Liberty.
November 3rd, 2021 at 5:38 PM ^
Sure this is good advice …. but Liberty is all tore up for nigh on three months. (live one house off of Liberty). You can turn on Soule and get near Eberwhite Elem ( my kids school).
November 3rd, 2021 at 6:01 PM ^
Yep! Both are good advice. I always arrived from I-94 via the west; of course, I also have family that lives on Lutz, so I park/tailgate there and it's a relatively easy and pleasant walk.
November 3rd, 2021 at 2:00 PM ^
Rutgers game caveats apply, but I opted for a Miller Rd ingress when I attended the Rutgers clash earlier this year. It was a cakewalk, although we were still about 2 hours before kickoff upon arrival. We parked just north of Huron near Kerrytown and took a leisurely stroll through campus. This location is probably a little further north than you're looking for, but I mainly wanted to confirm that our Miller Rd strategy really paid off.
November 3rd, 2021 at 2:18 PM ^
that looks like a good route, and by my imperfect measurements, kerrytown isn't any further away than where we normally park.
November 3rd, 2021 at 2:02 PM ^
If I were coming in 94 I'd get off at Zeeb and go south to Scio Church (or Ann Arbor Saline and go South, right on Lohr and Oak Valley to loop around to Scio Church by the Ice Cube). Should be a pretty straight shot in light traffic.
Take a right at Greenview and park on the street there or on Glen Leven. Short walk to the stadium through the woods.
Might not want to do it after dark, but I'm sure there will be plenty of people doing the same. I just remember Under the Lights I taking about 5 steps in and realizing I wasn't equipped for that walk in the pitch black of night.
November 3rd, 2021 at 2:05 PM ^
I guess it also depends on what you want to do pregame.
Above allows you to walk casually through Pioneer and Golf Course tailgates if you choose. The other entrance routes offer free parking as well and fun walks through downtown, campus, old westside neighborhoods, etc. Figure out what kind of vibe you want and you will be fine. I'm sure traffic in will be steady all day so it won't be a big rush.
November 3rd, 2021 at 7:00 PM ^
Good advice. That's what I do except I live about 4 miles from the Big House. My only correction to your directions is turn left on Greenview. Turning right will take you into the Lansdowne subdivision further from the stadium.
November 3rd, 2021 at 2:10 PM ^
I take that route from Dexter every time and it is fine. Actually it's a great drive. And if you have a few extra minutes maybe take Miller North and drive around my neck of the woods for the fall colors. I just drove through to [humble brag warning] pick up my boat from the marina and it's stunning right now.
November 3rd, 2021 at 2:14 PM ^
I take my 911 out for a spin around there this time of year. Beautiful area.
November 3rd, 2021 at 2:20 PM ^
EYB's boat. No humblebrag necessary.
November 3rd, 2021 at 2:46 PM ^
There is a lot of (pay for) lawn parking west of the stadium, north of Stadium Road. If you are far enough west you can park for free on one of the side streets, but you will certainly be past 7th Street.
Also, I have found 7th Street to be a good north/south route west of Main. It never seems to get too backed up.
November 3rd, 2021 at 3:24 PM ^
If you exited M-14 at Maple / Miller and headed towards downtown, I wouldn't go much farther than N. Seventh. From there, head south (be careful through here as there is a decent amount of road work happening on this side of town) all the way past Huron, past W. Liberty, past Davis, and by then you are in prime lawn parking territory basically. You could also go all the way down to Scio Church and find parking in those neighborhoods as well.
As for street parking north of the stadium, that situation would be very dicey on game days - you'd do better in the garages probably, if we are just going by probabilities of empty spaces here.
November 3rd, 2021 at 3:34 PM ^
Wait a minute. Am I the only one seeing this? XM? Mates? Affinity for Mgohillbilly? Folksy persona?
Back up/burner saved $5.
November 3rd, 2021 at 3:42 PM ^
You might be a little slow on the uptake, but at least you figured it out. Not that it was difficult. Thanks to Seth, he helped me get an account since I couldn’t figure it out myself.
November 3rd, 2021 at 3:51 PM ^
Well I see you brought your jackass with you still.
November 3rd, 2021 at 3:59 PM ^
User name checking out! I’d be curious what I said to qualify for such kind words from you.
November 3rd, 2021 at 5:03 PM ^
Ok, here are my thoughts. Keep in mind that it's a night game so most people will be there by 2 pm. Parking may be tight, but you will find a spot, the opponent is Indiana. When you go down Miller Ave, turn LEFT onto 7th street. 7th is a main street that flows well, but is less travelled. As a reminder, use a similar route back to 94-West. Taking LIBERTY to 94 or back to MILLER and US-23 should be fine. Try to avoid PAULINE & MAIN b/c of the traffic and foot traffic. GOOD LUCK & have fun. Get to the stadium to see the Michigan Marching Band enter the field (approx 30-40 minutes before kickoff.) GO BLUE!!!!!
November 3rd, 2021 at 9:21 PM ^
thanks aa_square, you are a champ.
November 3rd, 2021 at 8:07 PM ^
Classic XM. Plays victim after condescending or incendiary comment when rebuked. So on point.
November 3rd, 2021 at 9:36 PM ^
you like being unhappy, that's your choice. someone disagrees with you, you call them names and it makes you feel good. but understand i don't mistake your juvenile and uncontrolled name calling for a 'rebuke'. that's just you making a fool of yourself and living up to your name. remember also, when you are sitting anonymously at your keyboard being a warrior you might contemplate how different an in-person conversation could be and you might try to govern your speech accordingly. i'm not perfect at it, but i do at least try to communicate as i would face-to-face.
are you going to the game on saturday? maybe we could meet and you could call me names in person. my guess is that in-person you would be either too embarrassed or too cowardly to pop off, and either is fine with me because then we could get to the business of being friends, or at least civil. i offer you that olive branch.
November 4th, 2021 at 6:17 AM ^
Give me your section and seat number. I’ll look you up. How will I know it’s you? Which Mgousername should I refer to you as?
I missed ThinnedSkin but it might be here somewhere
November 4th, 2021 at 6:46 AM ^
see you are robf's tailgate? he knows me, but who could vouch for you?
November 3rd, 2021 at 3:34 PM ^
If you can walk a mile or mile and a half then park for free on one of the roads south of Stadium and west of 7th. Woodland/Kirtland/Marian/Greenview/Ardmoor/Maywood/Westfield. They fill up in that order so depending on when you get there will determine how far you have to walk but at least you won't break out in hives.
November 3rd, 2021 at 4:10 PM ^
So which is it?
Coming from the west as the OP title explains or
"Coming west on I-94, hoping to be in/around AA by, say, 5:00" as the post explains?
Which set of directions do I provide, from the north or south?
November 3rd, 2021 at 4:24 PM ^
sorry if not clear. coming from the west to get into town. hoping to park north of the stadium and when it's time for leaving be on the correct side of town for our journey home. thanks for any help.
November 3rd, 2021 at 5:04 PM ^
DAMN!!! I posted a reply to you but I placed it in the wrong spot. Scroll up a couple of posts from this post.
November 3rd, 2021 at 5:07 PM ^
Let me know if that picture is too small, I can send a larger image via email.
November 3rd, 2021 at 4:42 PM ^
I get off Ann Arbor Saline from 94 (exit 175). Turn left and go to the first subdivision left (Woodlark maybe?). It's a little over a mile walk (used my Apple Watch). After the victory, walk back to car and easy on to Ann Arbor Saline since they make it a 1 way after the game and you are turning right. 94 is less than a mile- piece of cake. Do it every home game. Always laugh at the people paying $30 100 yards from my free spot.