Question About Traffic/Parking Tomorrow

[fieryprophet]

OK, I've been to several games before, but I have always gotten to Charlotte with a few hours to spare. Due to crazy circumstances tomorrow, I will not be able to head out from Goldsboro, NC until around 11:45 AM to 12 PM.

Google lists multiple routes, and recommends taking 40 through Greensboro then 85 South, and lists approximate travel time of 3 hours, 45 minutes, or through Fayettville and then across 74 into Charlotte, with a slightly longer route time of 3:50. This would put be in Charlotte at around 3:45 to 4 PM if running on time, or 3:30 with my typical driving rate. How bad is traffic on gameday, generally? Is this too late to get in, park close by, and get into the stadium before kickoff?

Also, where's the best place to pay for parking? I'm not terribly concerned about cost but I have four total passengers, and time may be of the essence.

Any recommendations?

[Happy Panther]

If you don't care about cost, drive to the corner of Mint and Morehead and park just east of there (further along morehead from 77) on the street. Probably $30.

You will then be about 4 minutes from the entrances HOWEVER, there are enhanced security this year so you may be in line for 15+ minutes just to get scanned.

But with the weather I doubt its a huge crowd.

I

[fieryprophet]

Is that $30 per head or $30 total?

[Happy Panther]

Is that $30 per head or $30 total?

$30 total. It may be $35.

And there is almost always a spot left but things may be different for an afternoon game.

There are also plenty of spots further west on Morehead in some office buildings.

[Shufdog]

The crowd doesn't show up until about half way through the 1st anyway. If you hurry, you might beat the rush! :D

[GRWatcher]

Know that the traffic on I-85 is always unpredictable, count on it being slow. And there may still be construction going on. Google doesn't usually catch that.

I still find AAA useful for planning. http://carolinas.aaa.com/Travel/triptiks/Pages/TripTiks-Maps-and-Tourbooks.aspx

NC DOT provides road information too. http://tims.ncdot.gov/TIMS/Default.aspx

[toldozer]

Whatever you do dont take the 77 interchange or get off on brookshire. I always go freedom to morehead off 85. But it took us 40 minutes to get in for the giants, so you will miss kickoff.

[SuperJTheGreat]

Park in my yard for 5 dollars. Only a 8-10 min walk.

[Anybodyhome]

DO NOT take 74...

[Firefox]

Bobcats have an afternoon game at TWC, and "God of Carnage" is afternoon at the Actor's Theater on Stonewall.

Expect traffic ;)

[CLEARHOT]

OK, I've been to several games before, but I have always gotten to Charlotte with a few hours to spare. Due to crazy circumstances tomorrow, I will not be able to head out from Goldsboro, NC until around 11:45 AM to 12 PM.

Google lists multiple routes, and recommends taking 40 through Greensboro then 85 South, and lists approximate travel time of 3 hours, 45 minutes, or through Fayettville and then across 74 into Charlotte, with a slightly longer route time of 3:50. This would put be in Charlotte at around 3:45 to 4 PM if running on time, or 3:30 with my typical driving rate. How bad is traffic on gameday, generally? Is this too late to get in, park close by, and get into the stadium before kickoff?

Also, where's the best place to pay for parking? I'm not terribly concerned about cost but I have four total passengers, and time may be of the essence.

Any recommendations?

If you do take I-85 (south), watch out in Davidson County....numerous speed traps...invested with troopers. Be safe.

[Chimera]

Would 40 to 85 be quicker than 40 to 77?

85 S sucks once you're past Salisbury. It goes to two lanes in each direction, plus several long construction zones, plus concord mills traffic. If there's rain, expect several collisions right around where the construction ends and the speed limit goes back to normal. Right after that comes the slowdown around the 77 interchange.

As far as parking, assuming you take the 40 to 77 route (I really suggest it - may be more on the odometer, but barring accidents, quicker on the clock) just take the 5th street exit (exit 10C) from there you can take all the north-south streets to get closer to lots and garages near the stadium, or stay straight and park for less around the bobcats arena.