Transportation
On Campus
Driving Directions
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.
Public Transit
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.
Parking
Parking Permits
University parking permits are not required for parking in campus lots or garages during Graduation celebrations.
Maps
Download a PDF of the Welsh-Ryan Arena Map
Download a PDF of the Ryan Fieldhouse 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
United Center
Driving Directions
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 factor construction delays into your travel plans, check your map apps for the most up-to-date traffic information, and allot extra time to get to the United Center.
Public Transit
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.
Parking
Maps
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.
Download a PDF of the United Center Parking Map
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 (shown in yellow). 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.
Additionally, if you are planning on using ride shares, please anticipate lengthy wait times for cars in Evanston and increased driver cancellations. This is typical of any event with a high volume of requests coming from the same location at the same time.