Facility Overview

Lot B - Short Term Parking at Pangborn Memorial Airport (EAT) offers the closest, most accessible vehicle parking for travelers, meeters-and-greeters, and airport visitors in East Wenatchee, Washington. Operated under the Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority, this open-air surface parking lot sits immediately adjacent to the main commercial passenger terminal building. Designed with wide driving lanes and generous standard parking stalls, Lot B provides seamless drive-in convenience without the complications of ticket gates or low garage ceilings. Because the facility is an outdoor surface lot, it features completely open vertical clearance with zero overhead restrictions, making it equally accommodating for standard compact cars, midsize sedans, family minivans, full-size pickup trucks, large SUVs equipped with rooftop cargo boxes or ski racks, and high-roof utility vans.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Situated atop the East Wenatchee bench overlooking the Columbia River Valley, Lot B serves as the premier gateway to the greater Wenatchee metropolitan area and the Enchantments/Cascade foothills. Beyond passenger flight access, several prominent regional hubs and recreational destinations are within quick driving distance:

• Pangborn Memorial Airport Passenger Terminal: Directly adjoining the lot, requiring less than a 1-to-2-minute walk from your vehicle to check-in desks and TSA security screening.
• Columbia Riverfront & Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail: Located approximately 5 miles west (around a 10-minute drive), offering picturesque walking and biking trails hugging the Columbia River.
• Downtown Wenatchee Historic District: Just 6 miles away across the Senator George Sellar Bridge (about 12 minutes by car), featuring local craft breweries, the Pybus Public Market, artisan restaurants, and boutique shopping.
• Town Toyota Center: Roughly 7.5 miles away (a 15-minute drive), hosting regional concerts, hockey games, expos, and community sports events.
• Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort: Approximately 18 miles southwest (about a 35-minute drive), drawing seasonal skiers, snowboarders, and alpine hikers.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Reaching Lot B is direct and straightforward via regional arterial roads. Drivers approaching from Wenatchee or East Wenatchee can take State Route 28 (SR 28) and connect to Grant Road or 3rd Street SE, heading east toward Airport Way and Pangborn Drive. Signage clearly guides motorists directly into Lot B, which is situated adjacent to the curbside pickup and drop-off zone in front of the terminal. Egress after flights or events is quick and free of gate delays, smoothly routing traffic back onto Airport Way and connecting immediately to SR 28 and US Highway 2 / US 97 toward Leavenworth, Chelan, or Cashmere. For public transit users, Link Transit provides scheduled regional bus connections into East Wenatchee and Wenatchee's Columbia Station, where transfers to intercity Amtrak passenger rail and regional coaches are available.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Complimentary Grace Period: Offers free short-term parking for the first 4 hours, making passenger pickups and drop-offs exceptionally economical.
• Terminal Proximity: Positioned just steps from the entrance doors and baggage claim area.
• Open-Air Headroom: No height clearance barriers, readily accommodating high-profile SUVs, vans, and utility trucks.
• Flexible Digital Payment: Drivers can prepay online before arriving, text "PAY" to the airport's designated SMS line (509-646-2647), or utilize the self-pay touchscreen kiosk inside the terminal near the airline counters.
• Safety & Maintenance: Paved asphalt surface featuring high-visibility LED lighting, regular airport security patrols, winter snow clearing, and clear pavement markings.
• ADA Accessibility: Designated accessible parking spaces located conveniently along the shortest, level walking route to the terminal sidewalk curb ramps.

Ideal For

• Short-Term Airport Visitors: Family members, rideshare drivers, and couriers meeting incoming passengers or seeing off departing travelers.
• Same-Day & Overnight Business Commuters: Regional professionals flying out for short day trips or single-night meetings.
• Pickups and Drop-offs: Anyone who needs 1 to 4 hours of dwell time without paying parking fees.
• High-Clearance & Cargo Vehicles: Drivers with commercial vans, oversized trucks, or roof-rack-equipped recreation vehicles needing unhindered vertical headroom.

Visitor & Driver Tips

To ensure a hassle-free visit, keep these practical tips in mind:

• Prepayment Requirement: Take note that parking requires prepayment to lock in the lowest daily rate ($13/day); failing to register and prepay can lead to nonpayment penalties or higher daily parking fees ($23/day).
• Know Your Plate Number: Since parking enforcement is tracked digitally by license plate, make a mental note or take a photo of your vehicle's license plate before walking to the terminal kiosk.
• Dash Ticket Display: Displaying a paper receipt on your dashboard is helpful for patrol staff but not mandatory once your vehicle's license plate has been registered in the Port Authority's digital database.
• Flight Delay Cushion: If you are traveling for a multi-day trip, consider parking in the designated Long-Term or Economy lots for even lower rates, or extend your prepaid short-term booking if your return flight is postponed.