Parking and Getting to Campus

Throughout Commencement Weekend, there are several options for campus parking and transportation that can add ease to attending convocations, weekend events, and Sunday's ceremony.

Campus Map
Graduates looking out over the Maxwell balcony

Getting to Campus

Syracuse University is easily accessible by car, air, bus, or train. The Central New York region offers many convenient lodging and dining options for families and guests. Visit the Syracuse Convention and Visitors Bureau for a full, updated list of lodging and dining options. 

ATTENTION: Due to the ongoing I-81 Viaduct Project there are road closures and traffic updates that impact several routes accessing the Syracuse University Campus and resulting in increased travel time. Please plan accordingly.  

Syracuse University has worked with Waze to develop directional tools to assist guests in arriving to your parking location as efficiently as possible. Guests should download the Waze app to their mobile device in order to receive the most accurate real-time traffic information and wayfinding.  

Additional information about road closures and traffic routes can be found by visiting the NYSDOT website.  

Download the I-81 Connect Mobile App 

 

Parking and Shuttles

Parking is free on Thursday, May 7 through Sunday, May 10 and is available in the parking lots and garages listed below and shown on the Campus Maps. 

Accessible shuttles are available to and from campus ceremonies or receptions throughout the weekend. Each parking lot or garage will have a nearby shuttle stop. Parking lot attendants will be available on site for assistance as well. 

Visit the Commencement Weekend Schedule page for details on ceremony locations.  See below for parking lot recommendations and shuttle information by day.

All campus parking lots and garages will be opened during regular business hours. For shuttle information, refer to the Orange Loop and Blue Loop ‘Cuse Trolly Routes on the regular Campus Shuttle schedule, which can be viewed here Campus Shuttle Schedules. 

West Campus Lots & Garages 

North Campus Lots & Garages 

South Campus Convocations 

  • Lally Athletics Complex: Use lots adjacent to the building and nearby Colvin St. and Comstock Lot between 6 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. 

Main Campus Convocations 

  • JMA Wireless Dome: Use West Campus lots and garages between 7 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. 
  • Hendricks Chapel, Schine Student Center, K.G. Tan Auditorium (NVRC): Use North Campus lots and garages between 7 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. 

West Campus Lots & Garages 

North Campus Lots & Garages 

Wheelchair-accessible shuttle service will be available from West Campus lots and garages to JMA Wireless Dome Gate A. Additional shuttle service will be available between University Ave Garage and College Place 

Parking is available at all open  campus lots and garages.   

Guests are strongly encouraged to park at the John A. Lally Athletics Complex and utilize the complimentary shuttle service to Gate A of the JMA Wireless Dome. Guests should plan to access campus via Interstate 81 and use Exit 17 (East Brighton Avenue) as the primary route to the Lally Complex. 

Shuttle service will be available to JMA Wireless Dome Gate A from West Campus lots & garages and University Avenue Garage from 7:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional shuttle service will be available from Lally Athletics Complex bus shelters to College Place from 7:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Lally Athletics Complex Lots 

North Campus Lots & Garages 

Accessible parking for Commencement at the JMA Wireless Dome is available in the Irving Avenue Garage: Click Here for Directions. For any Accessibility Accommodation requests on Sunday, May 10 please visit the Accessibility Information page. 

Driving Directions

The most direct route to the SU campus is from Interstate 81 (I-81), which runs north-south through central and northern New York State. The east-west New York State Thruway, Interstate 90, crosses I-81 just north of Syracuse. Interstate 690 (I-690), another major east-west highway, crosses I-81 in the downtown area.

NOTE: Due to the ongoing I-81 Viaduct Project, we recommend regularly checking the NYSDOT website for updates on road conditions and closures related to the project.

From I-81: Take Exit 17, East Brighton Avenue. Turn right onto South State Street. Turn right onto East Colvin Street heading east, up the hill, toward Lally Athletics Complex. Turn left onto Comstock Avenue to the east side of campus.

From I-81, alternate route: take Exit 18, Adams Street. *Follow Adams Street eastbound up the hill to University Avenue. A right turn onto University Avenue leads to the center of campus.

From New York State Thruway (I-90), take Exit 36 for I-81 and downtown Syracuse. Head south on I-81 to the Adams Street exit (Exit 18). Continue directions from *above.

From the west on I-690, take Exit 14, Teall Ave. Bear right off the exit onto Teall Ave. Turn right at the light, onto Erie Blvd. East. Go approximately one-half mile and turn left onto University Ave., which leads to the center of campus. Turn left onto Harrison St. University Ave. garage is on right.

From the east on I-690, take Exit 14, Teall Ave., and turn left onto Teall. Turn right at the light, onto Erie Blvd. East. Go approximately one-half mile and turn left onto University Ave., which leads to the center of campus. Turn left onto Harrison St. University Ave. garage is on right.

From Hancock Airport north of the city, proceed to the ramp for I-81 south to Syracuse, head south on I-81 to the Adams Street exit (Exit 18). Continue directions from *above.

The large number of vehicles accessing University parking lots and the garages on Sunday morning causes significant traffic delays between 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Depending on the location of your hotel, it is advised that you consider taking an alternate route to campus and park at Lally Athletics Complex. Free shuttles will be available.

The JMA Wireless Dome gates open at 8 a.m. and the student procession begins at 9:30 a.m. In most cases, the time needed may be doubled or more on Commencement Sunday.  Please allow ample time to travel to campus, especially in inclement weather.