Wrigley Field parking for Chicago Cubs games is always a challenge. It’s not just finding a space, even though that in itself can be an adventure. It’s also tough to find affordable parking that isn’t crazy far from the ballpark. In many cases, fans (including me) recommend public transit, especially for first timers.

But Ballpark E-Guides never backs down from a challenge, and I’m here to help. Below I’m listing all of your best options for parking at Wrigley Field, and what you should know about each choice.

I’m covering a lot here, so I’ve broken it down for you. But I highly recommend you read the whole thing. Lots of great info here.

My Most Important Wrigley Field Parking Tip
Chicago Cubs Parking (+ The Free Lot)
Wrigley Field Satellite Parking Lots And Garages
Free or Cheap Metered Street Parking
Alternate Routes to Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Parking Summary

Ready? Okay, let’s get smart about Wrigley Field parking.

This is not a good time for a “what now” moment.

Wrigley Field Parking Tip #1) Book Ahead. I Mean This.

This is the most important advice for parking at Wrigley Field I can give you. Any Cubs fan will reiterate it. As do the Cubs; even they recommend you book your parking through my friends at SpotHero.

You book ahead for numerous reasons. First, like everyone knows, affordable or convenient parking for Cubs games is difficult to come by. Second, traffic is horrendous on game days, and you could miss an inning searching for a spot.

Finally, you can choose something in your price range, and with a location that works. Say, near Lake Shore Drive for an easy exit, or next to Al’s Italian Beef.

Weren’t expecting to chow in style by reading this were you? I go the extra mile friend.
(photo courtesy of Al’s Italian Beef)

Don’t worry if you see insane prices when you first look (and you probably will). If you’re booking far ahead of time, there might be less availability and higher prices than you expect. Many Wrigleyville parking facilities don’t accept bookings until a certain time before the event. Just keep checking back.

I have had great success with SpotHero, which is why I made them an affiliate. With their app, you can choose a great spot from a large selection of available spaces.

They’ll show you a variety of options, and you can see user ratings and advantages for each one.

Be like this guy.

In my last trip to Wrigley, for example, I booked someone’s driveway just a couple of blocks from the ballpark for just $16. That, my friends, is a steal. (The address is 847 West Addison St., if you’re curious.)

So book in advance with SpotHero. You can use the widget below or this link if you’d like to support this great site. Remember, check back if prices are too high at first.

NEVER drive to Wrigley Field without a plan.

Book your Cubs parking spot now with my friends at SpotHero.

It’s not just for Camrys. You’re fine.

Wrigley Field Parking Tip #2) Official Cubs Parking (And The Free Lot).

Free parking at Wrigley Field??? Yes. Relax, I’ll get to that in a minute.

The Cubs currently operate six lots; nearly all of them are north of the ballpark. Here is the map of Cubs parking; as you can see it’s sparse.

Cubs lots are a worthwhile if expensive option if you’re unfamiliar with the area and are concerned about towing or break-ins (a legitimate concern here).

The majority of spaces in Cubs lots go to season ticket holders; otherwise expect to pay a nice chunk of change for one. You have to pre-order a pass from the Cubs’ website (or call them) to reserve a spot in most lots. If they do sell spaces on game day, they’ll be more expensive.

It might be small for an elementary school, but it’s a fairly large lot for Wrigley.

As you can see from the map, all of the locations have their advantages, but my choice (if I had one) would be the Camry Lot (formerly the Green Lot). It’s the largest of the Cubs lots, and it offers an easier exit than lots closer to Wrigley.

There’s port-a-pots in the Camry lot, which you may need after the trip to find your spot. No tailgating though; in fact there’s little to no tailgating in Wrigleyville, with so many taverns in the area.

The Camry lot has EV charging stations, but I would get there early to use them.

The Cubs require you to exit their lots two hours after the game ends. If you plan on partying in Wrigleyville after the game, try to find a lot that will allow you to stay longer (like Murphy’s).

It’s not a lot so much as a bunch of spaces near train tracks. With a big tree. But it’s there for you.

Some Cubs fans swear by the Seminary Lot off of Irving Park Road, and it has its merits; it’s cheaper, for one. Being farther away, the crowd thins out a bit so you get an easier exit (and walk off your Chicago dog). It’s an easy ten-minute walk north on Seminary Avenue.

No argument on any of that, but read on for another choice you might like better.

Okay, about that free parking at Wrigley Field you heard me mention. The Cubs have a free remote lot at 3900 N. Rockwell Street. It is just off of Irving Park Road, a couple of miles west of the ballpark, and it’s a sizable lot.

You can’t beat tow-free official parking from the Cubs.

From there, the Cubs provide a free shuttle bus to Wrigley for night and weekend games. It starts 2.5 hours before the ballgame and runs for an hour afterwards, leaving every ten minutes or so which is nice. Yes, even the Cubs offer free parking at Wrigley.

So with the Cubs Express bus, and with the street parking on weekdays (I’ll get to that), you can park for free for pretty much any Cubs game.

The free lot also allows you easy access back onto I-90/94, without having to navigate through much traffic. Win-win-win.

One caveat though: free attracts everyone. It’s a very long line after the game, with thousands of other fans exiting the ballpark in other directions. Expect to stand on the bus, and be ultra-mindful if you have kids with you.

Gametime has your cheap Cubs tickets. Get a lowest price guarantee, panoramic seat view photos, and great last minute deals – even after the game starts.

(See why Ballpark E-Guides loves Gametime here.)

This guy has a cool shirt and all that, but you can beat that price.

Wrigley Field Parking Tip #3) Satellite Parking Lots And Garages.

There are, of course, plenty of local lots and garages around Wrigley, and if you don’t have a spot on game day there will be plenty of people flagging you down for an exorbitantly priced spot.

As I’ve said, many satellite parking spaces are on SpotHero, and I’ve already mentioned booking in advance. That said, I will give a shout to a few establishments that offer parking plus eats and/or libations at their facility:

It’s a fun place for Cubs fans. With parking.

Murphy’s Bleachers has a small lot across the street from the bleachers entrance; it isn’t any cheaper but you can keep your car there if you’re partying at Murphy’s afterward. You can’t beat the location, and they’ll look after your car for you.

They might not know how to spell “attendants”, but for Wrigley parking it’s pretty solid.

The Red Top Parking lot is close to the bleachers and is said to be an easy out; but you will pay extra to avoid being parked in. If you’re not concerned about that, it’s reasonably cheap by Wrigley standards and a short walk.

Wrigley parking, gyros, and outdoor dining. What’s not to like?

There is a small lot at Wrigleysville Dogs (yes, with an S) on Clark Street north of Wrigley; it’s a good spot to grab a quick cheap bite before the game. I recommend this one if you like to fill your goody bag beforehand.

Just remember that “easy out” is a relative thing here.

Finally, south on Clark and Sheffield a few blocks from the ballpark, you can find parking that is a bit cheaper than the lots closest to the park. These lots are near many of the popular taverns (and Al’s Italian Beef!) and there are cheaper souvenir stands along the walk to Wrigley.

Those are just a few options, of course. They’re everywhere in Wrigleyville, but not all of them offer a decent price or convenience.

Have I mentioned that you’d be very wise to book your parking beforehand? Just saying. Don’t trust someone just because they’re wearing an orange smock. That’s a popular scam, and another reason to book with a trusted provider.

These people were even earlier than me, and you know I’m early for live baseball.

Wrigley Field Parking Tip #4) Free or Cheap Metered Street Parking.

“Did you say free street parking at Wrigley?” I knew that was going to distract you. OK, here’s what I know. Keep in mind that these rules can change.

Wrigleyville is a residential area, meaning that if you don’t have a permit sticker on your car and you park in the wrong place, your car will be towed.

But there are quite a few free spaces on nearby side streets, a short distance away for weekday games when locals are at work and many games are still scheduled. You can use these and hoof it or take a train or bus to the park.

Look for the 383 zone sign:

Yes, free Wrigley street parking. Just think 383.

Generally, if you look around the side streets off of Clark Street or Waveland Avenue north and west of the park, you should see plenty of these. The signs will clearly say what you cannot do; if they don’t say you can’t park there during the day, you should be fine.

For day games if you are early enough (say, 3-4 hours before first pitch) you can grab one of these and park just a couple of blocks away for free. The only drawback is that you will need to be out of there by 6:00 PM (or maybe 5:00), so you can’t party in Wrigleyville too long. It’s a good idea to remember the address where you parked.

A Cubs fan getting out of the car is the giveaway. It’s legal.

So, remember the Seminary Lot I mentioned in the Cubs parking section? I have actually seen people park on the street leading from the Seminary lot to Wrigley, and it’s free (for now). Sorry if that’s your jam and I gave it away, but it’s a good spot.

I’ve also read that there is free street parking on Clark Street north of Irving Park Road, if you don’t mind at least a four block walk (past Wrigleysville Dogs, incidentally).

For any free parking, needless to say, you’ll need to be early for a good spot.

If you’re willing to walk at least four blocks, free parking shouldn’t be a problem.

If you’re coming off I-90/94 at Addison Street and you’d rather not fight traffic the whole way, there are side streets along Addison with spaces available, and many of them within a mile of Wrigley have no restrictions.

In some spots you can park right on Addison, including near the Brown Line Addison station about a mile away. Just be sure to check parking regulations carefully.

If you’re too tired after the game for the walk back, hop on the #152 Addison Street bus. But remember where you left your car.

In Chicago, we make paying for parking fun!

There are also a plethora of metered spots near the ballpark, operated by ParkChicago. I suggest putting their app on your phone in case you don’t luck into a free spot. With the ParkChicago app, you can view available spaces, and extend your time if you get extra innings, which is plenty useful. The majority of their spots are on or near Clark Street.

In 2016 the city raised the price of parking meters to $4 per hour during Cubs games. I’m not sure if it’s gone up since then (they won’t answer my emails), but if you find a good spot and spend less than six hours, that’s not a bad deal at all at Wrigley.

Like the free spots, metered spots fill up fast, and you may need to spend a few extra bucks being earlier.

Spoiler alert: There’s other ways to get to The Friendly Confines.

Wrigley Field Parking Tip #5) Alternate Routes to Wrigley Field.

So now you have something of a plan for picking a spot I hope. I will try to briefly gloss over the traffic situation, because in case it’s not clear, you will deal with traffic pains here.

The Cubs’ website provides directions from all points, including from the airports, and in most cases they provide alternate routes. Even with these, though, you should allow a lot of time. Just getting to the ballpark from I-90/94 on Addison can take almost an hour on game day.

If you’ve booked a spot you can use Google Maps or Waze, but they’re not always helpful with navigating Cubs traffic. Here are some of my own suggestions for alternate routes that I’ve found in my searches:

Smart Cubs fans exit now!

Alternate Route #1: I made a Chicago friend cringe sharing this route, so don’t tell anyone.

Coming south on I-94 before it merges with I-90, exit at Cicero (41C) and go south to Foster Avenue. Coming north on I-94, use the Foster exit (42), and then make a left onto Foster.

Go east on Foster; it becomes U.S. 41 after Lincoln Avenue. Take a right on Ashland Avenue, and then use Grace Street or a nearby cross street to get to Clark.

Just pretend you’re going to the zoo. No one will know.

Alternate Route #2: Coming from Lake Shore Drive, the Cubs recommend using the Irving Park or Belmont Avenue exits, but these get bogged down too, so you can get off one exit early and use Fullerton Parkway coming north or Montrose going south.

From Montrose you can turn on Ashland and use it to get to Addison (you can also make a left onto Clark just before Ashland). Irving Park Road (IL-19), with four lanes, is said to not be as bad as Belmont, so it might be okay, but this is an alternative.

Extra lanes on a road is always good in Chicago, and Irving Park Road’s got them.

Alternate Route #3 (for exiting): The city created an “offset centerline” on Irving Park Road making two lanes available westbound after the game; so this might be an easier route out than Addison if you’re returning to the interstate.

It’s a good idea to choose your parking spot accordingly for this, i.e. north of the ballpark. See my bit about the Seminary Lot.

The general rule is that the streets west of the park (heading towards the Interstate) are the worst, so you’re better off trying to approach Wrigley from the north or south, and coming from the south is easier than from the north.

“Wait, we could just park at the hotel across the street!”

There are hotels near Wrigley that presumably provide a parking space and save you the trouble of finding a spot, but you’ll pay a nice chunk of change for anything decent.

You’d be better off staying downtown and using the Red Line to get to the game, or staying in Skokie and using the Yellow Line. (More about transit to Wrigley here.)

Finally, if you’re coming from out of town, you’ll probably have to pay some tolls; bring a lot of quarters if you don’t have a transponder, because not all of the booths have attendants.

The trick is to be authorized.

Wrigley Field Parking Tip #6) Summarizing Chicago Cubs Parking.

So just a last bit to summarize my Wrigley Field parking tips for Cubs games.

Until you’ve actually done it, you probably can’t grasp how difficult it can be to find a decent and affordable parking spot at Wrigley Field. It’s a very atypical ballpark in the sense of having parking lots and garages nearby.

Even Camden Yards, Yankee Stadium, and other downtown ballparks have a reasonable amount of parking at the ballpark. Wrigley is among the most difficult for parking, and I don’t say that lightly.

If it’s your first time going, I highly recommend using public transit, which I’ve written extensively about here.

With just a magic marker, you could change the price to just $5.

That said, if you are parking at Wrigley, embrace the challenge. Book ahead, arrive as early as you can (this will help a great deal), and think about what it will be like exiting when you choose a spot.

The free parking and shuttle from the Cubs is a great deal, but I’d honestly prefer paying $20-25 to not have to ride a crowded bus to the ballpark.

Yep, sleeping one off is actually an option after a Cubs game.

Similarly, if you’re partying in Wrigleyville after the game, which many fans do, that should factor in your decision for a spot. Don’t use an official Cubs lot, or a residential space with a time limit.

Once you get to this point, the hard part is done.

Hopefully this post is useful to you; that’s why I’m here. I’ve included plenty of other Wrigley advice on this great site, including how to pick a great seat, how to find deals on Cubs tickets, and what to eat at the Friendly Confines.

Whether you’re a first timer or a regular, there should be plenty of useful hacks to help you get your Wrigley smarts on.

Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you at the Yard (and in the parking lot)!