Parking and 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.
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.
Parking and Buses
Parking is free on Saturday and Sunday and is available in the parking lots and garages listed below and shown on the map. map.
Thursday, May 9 - Saturday, May 11
Lally Athletics Complex Convocations: Use lots adjacent to the building and nearby Colvin St. lot and Comstock Ave. lot.
Main Campus Convocations (JMA Wireless Dome, Hendricks Chapel, Schine Student Center, K.G. Tan Auditorium): Use West Campus lots and garages between 6 a.m. and 10:30 p.m.
University Avenue Garage (enter East Adams Street or Harrison Street) is open from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. with wheelchair-accessible shuttle service to the Schine Student Center on University Place and the JMA Wireless Dome Gate A.
In addition, shuttle service to and from all West Campus lots, the JMA Wireless Dome Gate A and to receptions will be available for Saturday Convocations from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. to assist those with limited mobility.
Shuttles from Lally Athletics Complex to Main Campus are not available on Saturday. Please park in the designated lots listed above for your student’s convocation.
Sunday, May 12
Parking is free at West Campus open lots, Lally Athletics Complex, and other Main Campus lots and garages shown on the parking map. Lots close to the JMA Wireless Dome are restricted for accessible parking.
University Avenue Garage is open from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. with free shuttle service from the garage to College Place on Main Campus. Accessible transportation from University Avenue Garage to Gate A is available upon request for those with limited mobility and/or accessibility needs.
Free shuttle service will also be available to and from the Lally Athletics Complex parking lot to College Place from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Free shuttles will also run from the South Campus bus shelters. See parking.syr.edu for public transportation.
Wheelchair-accessible buses (marked Call-A-Bus) are the best option for guests with wheelchairs or mobility limitations. These buses will shuttle between the Lally Athletics Complex North parking lot and University Avenue Garage with direct route to and from Gate A of the JMA Wireless Dome (an accessible entrance). Attendants will be on hand to assist guests on and off the buses.
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 7 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.