Transportation
On Campus
Driving Directions
Welsh-Ryan Arena –
Ryan Fieldhouse –
Travel times from both O'Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport can range from 45 minutes to one and one half hours.
From O'Hare, take Mannheim Road north to Oakton Street. Turn right and follow Oakton east to Gross Point Road. Turn left and follow Gross Point north to Dempster Street. Turn right and follow Dempster east to Chicago Ave.. Turn left on to Chicago Ave. to the campus.
From Midway, take Cicero Avenue north to Interstate 55 (Stevenson Expressway). Follow I-55 east to Lake Shore Drive. Follow Lake Shore Drive north to Sheridan Road. Follow Sheridan into Evanston to the campus.
From the west or north, take Interstate 294 (Tri-State Tollway) or Interstate 94 (Edens Expressway) to the Dempster Street east exit. Follow Dempster to Chicago Avenue in Evanston and turn left to reach the campus.
From the east or south, take Lake Shore Drive north to Sheridan Road. Follow Sheridan into Evanston to the campus.
Public Transit
Please be sure to check the or before leaving as transit times may vary.
From downtown Chicago, take Metra’s Union Pacific North (UP-N) commuter train to the Evanston Central Street station. Another option is the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) elevated Red and Purple Line trains (“L” train) to the Central Street stop for Welsh-Ryan Arena and Noyes Street stop for Ryan Fieldhouse.
Parking
Parking Permits
University parking permits are not required for parking in campus lots or garages during Graduation celebrations.
Maps
Welsh-Ryan Arena
Download a PDF of the Welsh-Ryan Arena Parking Map
Alternate On Campus Parking
The city of Evanston has neighborhood parking restrictions that apply during all ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½ events at Welsh-Ryan Arena. As parking is limited due to construction, we highly recommend parking at the on-campus surface lot on Sheridan Road between Noyes and Haven, and walking across the street to the shuttle stop there.
Download a PDF of the Alternate Parking Map for Welsh-Ryan Arena
Ryan Fieldhouse
Download a PDF of the Ryan Fieldhouse Parking Map
Accessible Parking & Drop-Off
Accessible parking is available in all campus parking lots. Parking for vehicles displaying a valid handicapped tag as well as a drop-off site for guests with disabilities are available. The accessible drop-off for Welsh-Ryan Arena is located on Ashland Avenue (see map for detailed information). The accessible drop-off for Ryan Fieldhouse, is located on Campus Drive (see map for detailed information).
Shuttle Service
The University provides complimentary shuttle bus service between the main Evanston campus and Welsh-Ryan Arena. Shuttles will begin one hour prior to events and will conclude approximately one hour after the completion of convocations. Parking in the Welsh-Ryan Arena area will be limited. It is highly recommended that graduates and their guests take shuttles early to avoid long wait times at shuttle stops.
Download a PDF of the On Campus Shuttle Map