Facility Overview

The I-5 Exit 248 Park & Ride (frequently referred to as the Sunnyside/Turner Interchange Park & Ride) is a strategically positioned, open-air surface parking facility serving South Salem, Marion County commuters, and Interstate 5 travelers. Located just off Exit 248 at 7820 Squirrel Hill Road SE, this expansive paved lot is engineered for effortless vehicle circulation and commuter transfers. Because the facility is entirely open-air without height restriction barriers or overhead parking decks, it provides unobstructed vertical clearance. This makes it exceptionally well-suited for all standard passenger vehicles, full-size pickup trucks, commercial work vans, high-roof conversion vans, and passenger SUVs equipped with rooftop carriers or bike racks.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Serving as the southern gateway to the Salem metropolitan area, this park and ride lot functions as an essential rendezvous point for carpoolers, regional commuters, and visitors exploring Marion County. While primarily a commuter transportation hub, the lot is situated in close proximity to a variety of commercial and recreational destinations:

• Commercial Services & Truck Stop Conveniences: Situated directly across from or adjacent to commercial fuel depots, Pacific Pride, and local service stations, providing quick access to fuel and convenience retail.
• Willamette Valley Vineyards: Located approximately 3.5 miles south via I-5 or Bates Road, offering world-class Pinot Noir and estate tasting rooms.
• City of Turner: Just 2.5 miles east via Delaney Road SE and Third Street, offering quaint rural dining and historic small-town charm.
• Corban University: Situated approximately 5 miles northeast, making the lot a convenient meeting location for suburban student carpools.
• Downtown Salem & Oregon State Capitol: Located roughly 7.5 miles north, providing a direct transit or carpool pathway into the central business district and state government complex.
• Salem Golf Club & Fairview Golf Course: Located within a 10- to 15-minute drive for regional golfers meeting up before a round.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress at the Exit 248 lot are straightforward. Drivers exiting I-5 Northbound or Southbound take Exit 248 toward Delaney Road / Sunnyside / Turner, seamlessly transitioning onto Delaney Road SE and turning directly onto Squirrel Hill Road SE. The wide curb cuts and broad interior turning radii accommodate both light passenger vehicles and larger utility vans without bottlenecking. Regional transit connections include Cherriots commuter carpool coordination and select regional connector service along the I-5 corridor, linking commuters directly to the Salem Transit Center in downtown Salem and southward toward Albany and Eugene.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Complimentary Commuter Parking: State-supported public commuter parking offered free of charge for daily commuters (typically up to 24-hour limits).
• Open-Air Design: Wide maneuvering lanes with no overhead height clearance restrictions, ideal for high-clearance trucks and vans.
• Standard & ADA-Accessible Spaces: Designated accessible parking stalls equipped with standard access aisles close to pedestrian exit pathways.
• Paved & Marked Stalls: Clearly demarcated asphalt bays and driving lanes designed for easy navigation and smooth two-way circulation.
• Dusk-to-Dawn Lighting: Overhead pole-mounted security luminaires illuminating the parking surface during early morning and late evening commute hours.
• Bicycle Racks & Waiting Areas: On-site bike parking fixtures and sheltered passenger waiting zones for transit and vanpool link-ups.

Ideal For

• Daily Interstate 5 Commuters: Professionals working in downtown Salem, Portland, Wilsonville, or the Mid-Willamette Valley seeking an easy park-and-carpool hub.
• Vanpools & Rideshare Groups: Registered vanpool groups and carpools converging off the freeway to minimize fuel costs and road congestion.
• Willamette Valley Wine Tour Rendezvous: Tour groups and weekend travelers gathering into a single vehicle before heading into south Salem and Turner area wineries.
• State Government Workers: State agency employees residing in rural Marion or Linn counties carpooling to the Capitol Mall.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Park and ride lots along the I-5 corridor experience their peak parking occupancy between 6:30 AM and 8:30 AM on Tuesday through Thursday mornings; arriving early ensures selection of prime stalls near the main exit. Although the lot is well illuminated, always practice standard vehicle safety: lock all doors, roll up windows completely, and remove or hide all valuables, bags, and electronic accessories from plain sight. Note that while short-term daily parking is free, state regulations prohibit overnight camping, storage of detached trailers, or parking exceeding 24 continuous hours without prior transit district authorization.