Navigating Lawrence During Major Events
Insider tips on parking, dining, and avoiding traffic during Family Weekend, Homecoming, and move-in day.
1. Master the Traffic Flow & Ride Shares
During Move-In Week, Football Game Days, and Graduation, avoid Iowa Street and 15th Street if possible. Use Kasold Drive or Wakarusa Drive to navigate north/south, and 6th Street for east/west travel to bypass campus congestion.
Uber & Lyft Warning: Ride-share availability in Lawrence drops significantly during major events, and surge pricing can easily hit 3x-4x the normal rate. If you must use Uber, schedule your ride 24 hours in advance.
2. The Free Transit Hack
Did you know the Lawrence Transit system (the city buses) are completely FREE for all riders? You don't need a KU ID or a bus pass. This is the best-kept secret for navigating the city during high-traffic weekends.
Insider Tip: Download the "My Bus Lawrence" app for real-time tracking. Route 11 and Route 41 are the best for getting between Downtown Mass Street and the KU Campus.
3. Mass Street Parking Secrets
If you are driving downtown, look for the parking lots right next to Mass Street (specifically the lots behind the businesses on New Hampshire St and Vermont St). You can park for 5 hours and it only costs $1.45! Those are the only spots that allow for 5 hours at that cheap rate. The rest of the spots on Mass Street itself are strictly 1 hour, and those meters charge per 15 minutes.
4. Dining Strategy
Restaurants on Mass Street will have 2+ hour waits during Family Weekend. Make reservations weeks in advance, or better yet, take advantage of the full kitchen in your StayAwhile rental and host a family dinner.
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