How do you get free parking for the NC State Fair? What to know about lots, shuttles, more
Parking for the NC State Fair can be a hassle, but there are some tips to help ease the pain.
First, you can save some money and park for free in a few designated parking lots. The trade-off is your car won’t be right outside the entrance gate, so it’ll take a bit of time on foot (or by shuttle bus) to get to the fairgrounds, but if you plan ahead, it’ll save you some money.
It’s also worth nothing that there is heavy road construction all around the fairgrounds on Hillsborough Street and Blue Ridge Road, so anything you can do to avoid driving in that, you should consider.
Here’s everything to know about free parking and shuttles at this year’s fair.
Can I park for free at the NC State Fair?
Yes. There are a number of parking lots that let you park for free, and some have a shuttle that will take you to the fairgrounds, so you won’t have to walk.
Here are the free parking lots:
Dogwood Lot
Cardinal Lot
Carter-Finley Stadium and PNC Arena
Handicap Lot (on State Fair property)
Note: There may be exceptions if events are scheduled at Carter-Finley (no NC State home football games are on the schedule) or PNC Arena (there are concerts scheduled for Oct. 13, 14 & 18).
There are also free off-site parking lots with a free shuttle service to the fairgrounds:
Park at the corner of Edwards Mill and Reedy Creek. Shuttle pick-up and drop-off will be across from Gate 9 on Trinity Road.
Park off Hwy 54/Chapel Hill Road just past I-40 Exit 290. Shuttle pick-up and drop-off will be across from Gate 7 on Youth Center Drive.
(Details: ncstatefair.org/2023/Visitor/GetToFair.htm)
Can I take free shuttles to the NC State Fair?
Yes. The fair will offer several park-and-ride shuttle options from off-site parking lots to entry gates at the fair.
Shuttles will be offered to and from these lots, which will also have accessible shuttles available.
Dogwood Lot
The shuttle drops visitors off at Gate 9 of the fair.
The address is 4501 Reedy Creek Rd. in Raleigh.
Cardinal Lot
The shuttle drops visitors off at Gate 7 of the fair.
The address is 5766 Chapel Hill Road Rd.
Both lot hours are from 9 a.m. until one hour after gates close each day. (Hours slightly differ on Thursday Oct. 12.)
Shuttles will not be offered at Carter-Finley Stadium or PNC Arena. Remember, there may be exceptions to daily free parking at these lots if there are events scheduled at these two sporting arenas.
(Details: ncstatefair.org/2023/Visitor/GetToFair.htm)
Can I pay for parking to be closer to the fairgrounds?
Yes. There are some privately operated options near the fairgrounds that charge for parking. During the fair, residents near the fairgrounds often convert parts of their private property into small parking lots. These lots provide additional parking options, but you will have to pay.
Can I take a GoTriangle bus to the State Fair?
No. GoRaleigh will not offer State Fair Park & Ride sites this year due to the driver shortage, said spokesperson Andrea Epstein.
Fairgoers may remember that GoRaleigh has offered shuttle service to the fair in previous years using its buses. They ran along Hillsborough Street from downtown, and from Cary, Garner and north Raleigh, The N&O previously reported.
The routes were special to the fair, operating separately from the transportation service’s fixed routes.
