GRADUATION

Welsh-Ryan Arena – 2705 Ashland Ave, Evanston, IL 60208
Ryan Fieldhouse – 2333 Campus Dr, Evanston, IL 60208

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.

Please be sure to check the Metra Tracker or CTA Transit Tracker 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.

University parking permits are not required for parking in campus lots or garages during Graduation celebrations.

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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).

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.

Shuttle Schedule

Details will be forthcoming.

1901 W. Madison Street Chicago, IL 60612

From the North: Take I-90 East to the Madison Street exit and make a right onto Madison Street. The building will be on your left.

From the South: Take I-55 North to the Damen exit and make a left, going northbound for approximately 7 minutes. The building will be on your right.

From the East: Take Madison Street west from the Loop.

From the West: Take I-290 East to exit 28A (Damen Avenue). Take Damen Avenue north to Madison Street. Make a right onto Madison Street and the building will be on your right.

Please be sure to check the CTA Transit Tracker before leaving as transit times may vary.

Take the Orange, Green, Purple, or Brown lines to Madison. Take #20 Madison buses west.

To the United Center: The #20 Madison Bus travels west on Madison Street, starting downtown at Wabash Street and runs every few minutes, making all stops to the United Center.

From the United Center: The #20 Madison buses run every few minutes, departing from the eastbound side of Madison Street. Buses make all stops.

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General Parking Information

Parking lots and Uber lot will be open to guests two and a half hours prior to event time. Parking is free for all guests.

Accessible Parking

Vehicles displaying a current handicapped license plate or window placard are permitted to park in Lot G South, which is located at the southwest corner of the building at Damen Avenue and Monroe Street.

Parking Policies

• No solicitation allowed.
• No consumption of alcoholic beverages on lot or in parked vehicles.
• No tailgating or similar activities.

Rideshare/Uber Zone

The Rideshare/Uber Zone at the United Center is located on the corner of Madison Street and Wood Street. Guests will enter and exit through the sidewalk entrance located on Madison Street and cars will enter the lot by turning into the Uber Zone from Madison Street. Cars will exit on Warren Blvd.

Limited shuttle service will be available from the Evanston campus to the United Center for Commencement.

Shuttle Schedule

Details will be forthcoming.