Facility Overview

The commuter parking facility at 1067 E Washington Road in Ithaca, Michigan, operates as an official Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Park and Ride carpool facility. Situated immediately off the interchange connecting US-127 and East Washington Road (US-127 Business Route), this surface parking lot provides open-air, level asphalt parking designed to support regional commuters, carpoolers, and trail visitors. Because the facility is entirely open-sky with no multi-level decks or overhead canopy structures, there are no vertical clearance restrictions. This open headroom allows hassle-free accommodation for all vehicle classes, ranging from compact passenger cars and electric commuters to full-size pickup trucks, raised SUVs, high-roof work vans, and vehicles equipped with roof cargo boxes or bicycle racks.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Strategically positioned at the eastern entrance to the city of Ithaca—the historic county seat of Gratiot County—the lot serves both local municipal needs and wider regional transit connections. Downtown Ithaca is situated just 1.5 miles west along Washington Road, providing convenient access to the Gratiot County Courthouse, Thompson Home Public Library, Ithaca Community Center, and local dining favorites along Center and Pine streets. Outdoor recreation enthusiasts will appreciate that the parking lot functions as a southern terminus and trailhead connection for the Mid-Michigan Community Pathway, an asphalt non-motorized trail that links Ithaca north to St. Louis and Alma. The lot also serves travelers heading to Alma College and MyMichigan Medical Center Alma (approx. 8 miles north), Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant (approx. 25 miles north), and the Lansing–East Lansing metropolitan area (approx. 40 miles south).

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress are straightforward via East Washington Road, which transitions smoothly to and from the US-127 expressway on- and off-ramps. The wide-radius entrance and clear sightlines make pulling in and departing stress-free even during morning and evening rush hours. The facility functions primarily as a multimodal carpool and rideshare junction, allowing regional workers to meet, park, and consolidate into high-occupancy vehicles or coordinate with local rural transit services like Alma Transit Center and Gratiot County transit providers. Drivers heading northbound or southbound have seamless, instantaneous access to US-127, avoiding residential stoplights and localized cross-traffic.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-air, paved asphalt surface lot with clear bay striping and wide driving aisles.
• Unrestricted vertical clearance accommodating tall vehicles, trucks, and roof accessories.
• 100% free commuter parking provided by the State of Michigan without meter fees or mobile app tolls.
• Dedicated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible parking spaces located near the primary pedestrian path.
• Direct sidewalk link and trailhead access connecting to the Mid-Michigan Community Pathway for runners, walkers, and cyclists.
• Overhead street and perimeter lighting for increased night visibility and commuter safety.
• Continuous 24/7 availability for round-the-clock shift workers and weekend travelers.

Ideal For

• Daily regional commuters carpooling along the US-127 corridor toward Lansing, Mount Pleasant, Alma, or Midland.
• Active recreationists, cyclists, and distance runners utilizing the Mid-Michigan Community Pathway trail network.
• Visitors attending municipal events, county administrative hearings, or civic gatherings in downtown Ithaca.
• Families and colleagues seeking a secure, centralized meeting point to consolidate vehicles before road trips.
• Rideshare and airport shuttle rendezvous for travelers heading to Capital Region International Airport (LAN).

Visitor & Driver Tips

As a state-operated carpool facility, spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservation required or available. Overnight parking is permitted for active commuter carpooling, but vehicles should not be left unattended for extended periods exceeding 48 hours without checking MDOT carpool guidelines, and camping or overnight lodging inside vehicles is strictly prohibited. When winter weather arrives in Mid-Michigan, remember that MDOT snowplow crews clear lots during operational rotations, so parking centered between striping lines helps maintenance crews keep stalls clear. For navigation, entering 'MDOT Park and Ride Ithaca' or the exact street address into your GPS will guide you safely directly to the turning apron off East Washington Road.