About this Location

Facility Overview

The Overflow Parking lot at Elmira-Corning Regional Airport (ELM), often utilized alongside the airport's designated Economy Lot, provides a practical and cost-effective surface parking solution for travelers flying out of the Southern Tier of New York and Northern Tier of Pennsylvania. Situated on the airport grounds off Progressive Drive and Sing Sing Road in the Town of Horseheads, this open-air surface facility is engineered to accommodate passenger surges during peak travel seasons, holiday windows, and busy regional events. The spacious flat-grade lot is laid out with broad driving lanes and generously proportioned standard parking bays. Because the entire lot is an open-air surface facility free of multi-story ceilings, overhead beams, or low-clearance entry portals, it accommodates a broad range of passenger vehicles—including full-size pickup trucks, commercial transit vans, high-roof conversion vans, and standard sport utility vehicles with roof cargo boxes.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Conveniently located in Horseheads, NY, between Elmira and Corning, this facility primarily serves commercial air passengers utilizing the ELM terminal, which is just a short, direct walk or quick drop-off ride away. Beyond direct airport connectivity, the location offers seamless access to leading cultural, historical, and commercial destinations throughout the Chemung River Valley and Finger Lakes region:

Wings of Eagles Discovery Center: Located less than two miles east of the terminal, showcasing extensive aviation, space, and military history collections.
Corning Museum of Glass: Approximately 10 to 12 miles west via Interstate 86, world-renowned for contemporary glass exhibitions and live glassblowing demonstrations.
National Soaring Museum & Harris Hill: Situated roughly 5 miles southwest atop Harris Hill, the recognized soaring capital of America.
Arnot Mall & Consumer Square: Located just 5 minutes east along Route 64/Chambers Road, featuring premier shopping, dining, and retail services.
LECOM Event Center & Downtown Elmira: About 8 miles southeast, hosting regional hockey matches, concerts, and live entertainment.
Watkins Glen State Park & Seneca Lake Wine Trail: Situated roughly 25 to 30 minutes north, serving as the gateway to premier Finger Lakes recreation and wineries.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Arriving at and departing from the overflow facility is straightforward thanks to direct road connectivity. Drivers access the airport grounds via NY-17 / Interstate 86 (Exit 51A for Elmira-Corning Regional Airport), transitioning immediately onto Sing Sing Road and turning onto Progressive Drive. Wide access corridors prevent vehicular congestion even during synchronized morning departures or evening arrivals. Chemung County Transit System (Cattran) provides scheduled bus service connections between the airport grounds, downtown Elmira, and surrounding hubs. In addition, local rideshare operators (Uber and Lyft) and regional taxicab services maintain continuous service at the terminal curbside immediately adjacent to the lot.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Surface Parking: Expansive single-level design with unobstructed vertical clearance for trucks, oversized SUVs, and vans.
Automated Self-Pay System: Convenient, credit-card-activated express exit lanes designed for fast gate processing without long lines.
Continuous Lighting: High-mast exterior illumination providing bright nighttime visibility across all parking bays and pedestrian walkways.
Terminal Proximity: Direct, level pedestrian pathway connecting the parking area to the passenger check-in lobby and TSA checkpoint.
Accessible Stalls: Clearly marked ADA accessible spaces with direct sidewalk ramps situated nearest to the terminal walkway.
24/7 Security Coverage: Monitored around the clock by Chemung County airport operations and dedicated patrol personnel.

Ideal For

Budget-Conscious Commercial Air Travelers: Passengers seeking the lowest daily parking rates while flying Allegiant or Delta out of ELM.
Long-Term & Vacation Flyers: Vacationers taking extended trips who want affordable weekly caps without off-site shuttling hassles.
Regional Business Commuters: Professionals taking quick out-and-back day trips or short mid-week flights to major hub connections.
Oversized Vehicle Drivers: Contractors, outdoor enthusiasts, or road-trippers carrying rooftop accessories that exceed standard parking garage height restrictions.

Visitor & Driver Tips

When planning your trip, consider arriving at least 75 to 90 minutes prior to scheduled airline departures to allow ample time to park, secure your vehicle, and walk across to the main terminal check-in desks. The overflow and economy areas utilize automated gate machinery that operates primarily via credit or debit cards, so make sure to have payment cards readily accessible upon exit. If you are picking up an arriving traveler, take advantage of the designated free Cell Phone Holding Area on Progressive Drive rather than entering ticketed lots prematurely. During peak winter months, remember to clear any heavy snow and ice from your vehicle before departing the lot, and note your parking aisle location on your boarding pass or phone to ensure effortless retrieval upon return.