Facility Overview
Conveniently located along Mill Road just off PA Route 934 and Interstate 81 (Exit 85) in Annville, PA, the Fort Indiantown Gap Park & Ride (historically dedicated as the Allen Biehler Park and Ride) serves as a critical intermodal transit and carpooling hub for Lebanon County and the greater Harrisburg capital region. Co-maintained in coordination with PennDOT and Lebanon Transit, this expansive open-air surface parking facility offers drivers seamless access to regional highway corridors and commuter transit routes. Designed as a wide, single-level ground lot with unobstructed headroom, it easily accommodates standard passenger sedans, station wagons, minivans, full-sized pickup trucks, large SUVs, and high-roof passenger vans without any overhead height restrictions. The lot features clearly demarcated bays and spacious driving aisles that make maneuvering and parking trouble-free for all non-commercial passenger vehicles.
Prime Location & Nearby Attractions
Strategically positioned at the gateway between the Lebanon Valley and Blue Mountain, this facility serves as the primary parking staging ground for both commuter transit and localized regional destinations. Key nearby attractions include:
- Fort Indiantown Gap (FTIG): Located just two miles north across I-81, this bustling National Guard training center and military reservation is one of the busiest in the country.
- Indiantown Gap National Cemetery & Pennsylvania Veterans Memorial: Situated less than 3 miles north, providing peaceful grounds and the largest monument in any national cemetery.
- Lebanon Valley College (LVC): Located roughly 6 miles south straight down PA Route 934 into central Annville, offering academic facilities, the Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery, and athletic events at the Arnold Sports Center.
- Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course: Located just 10 minutes west via Interstate 81 and Route 22 in Grantville, featuring thoroughbred racing, casino gaming, dining, and live concerts.
- Memorial Lake State Park & Swatara State Park: Quick drives north and northeast offer immediate access to scenic freshwater boating, hiking trails, fishing, and outdoor recreation.
- Downtown Harrisburg & Farm Show Complex: Direct express bus connectivity carries visitors effortlessly into downtown Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania State Capitol complex, and the PA Farm Show Complex without inner-city parking hassles.
Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity
Arriving at and departing from the Mill Road parking facility is remarkably fast and straightforward. Ingress and egress are situated directly off Mill Road, moments from its junction with Route 934 (Fisher Avenue) and adjacent to the on- and off-ramps for Interstate 81 (Exit 85A/85B). This exceptional highway adjacency allows drivers to bypass secondary surface road congestion when entering or departing during peak travel times. The facility also functions as a vital commuter bus node served by Lebanon Transit's Harrisburg Commute King Express (CKE Route B), providing weekday express transportation directly to downtown Harrisburg, the Commonwealth Keystone Building, HACC Harrisburg, the Amtrak Rail Station, PHEAA offices, and the CAT Transfer Center.
Facility Amenities & Key Features
- 100% Free Commuter Parking: Open public parking with no hourly meters, entrance barriers, or daily parking fees for carpoolers and transit riders.
- ADA Accessible Stalls: Designated accessible parking spaces located adjacent to the passenger boarding area with paved transition pathways.
- Transit Passenger Shelter: Covered, weather-protected bus waiting shelter with bench seating on site.
- Overhead Night Lighting: High-mast light poles providing illuminated parking aisles throughout dawn, dusk, and evening hours.
- Generous Turnarounds: Broad turning radius suited for commuter buses, emergency vehicles, and larger passenger trucks.
- Surface Lot Access: No low ceilings, ramps, or vertical clearance limitations, ensuring hassle-free parking for elevated vehicles and roof racks.
Ideal For
- Harrisburg Commuters: State workers and corporate commuters wishing to leave their vehicles behind and take the Lebanon Transit Commute King Express into the Capitol Complex.
- Carpool & Vanpool Commuters: Motorists meeting colleagues along the Interstate 81, Interstate 78, and PA-934 travel corridors.
- Military Personnel & Visitors: Individuals visiting Fort Indiantown Gap, military service clubs, or the national cemetery.
- Regional Eventgoers: Travelers heading into Harrisburg for events at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex or visiting nearby Lebanon Valley venues.
Visitor & Driver Tips
When planning your trip to the Mill Road parking facility, keep the following practical guidelines in mind:
- Transit Schedules & Apps: If you are connecting with Lebanon Transit's Commute King Express, consult the official LT timetables in advance or monitor transit arrival times in real time via the free myStop Mobile transit application.
- Early Morning Arrival: Commuters heading into Harrisburg on early morning express trips typically claim the stalls nearest the passenger shelter by 6:45 AM to 7:15 AM on weekdays, so plan to arrive slightly early to secure your preferred parking space.
- Vehicle Restrictions: Annville Township and PennDOT enforce strict prohibitions against detached trailers, overnight semi-truck parking, and unauthorized commercial vehicle staging on municipal roadways and park-and-ride stalls.
- Lock & Conceal: As with any public open-air park-and-ride lot, remember to lock your vehicle, roll up windows completely, and stow all personal bags, navigation tools, and electronics safely out of sight before boarding transit.