About this Location

Facility Overview

The Park and Ride at I-94 and Carmichael Road (located at 2336 Coulee Road in Hudson, Wisconsin) is a premier commuter transit and rideshare facility operated in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT). Configured as a spacious, single-level, open-air surface parking lot, this site offers straightforward navigation, wide driving aisles, and well-demarcated standard and accessible stalls. Because it is completely open-air with no overhead barriers or parking structures, the lot features unlimited vertical clearance. This makes it exceptionally suited for all passenger vehicles, full-size pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, cargo vans, and high-roof commuter vans alike.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Positioned just off Interstate 94 at Exit 2, this facility serves as the western gateway to Wisconsin and the eastern commuter threshold to the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area. In addition to serving regional commuters heading into downtown St. Paul (approximately 18 miles west) and Minneapolis (approximately 28 miles west), the parking facility is situated right in Hudson’s bustling commercial district. Within a 5- to 10-minute walk or 2-minute drive, drivers have access to numerous amenities:

Retail & Essentials: Target, Menards, ALDI, and Fleet Farm are located within 1 mile along the Carmichael Road retail corridor.
Dining & Coffee: Quick-service and sit-down dining options including Starbucks, Culver\'s, Caribou Coffee, and Applebee\'s are situated within a few blocks.
Healthcare: Hudson Hospital & Clinic (HealthPartners) is less than one mile south on Carmichael Road.
Recreation & Historic Downtown: Downtown Hudson, the scenic St. Croix Riverwalk, Lakefront Park, and the historic toll bridge pier are just 2.5 miles to the west, while Willow River State Park is a quick 10-minute drive to the northeast.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Access to the lot is straightforward and driver-friendly. Ingress and egress are situated directly off Coulee Road, just west of its intersection with Carmichael Road (County Highway F) and immediately south of I-94. The lot is designed for high-efficiency traffic flow, allowing vehicles to enter and exit smoothly even during morning and evening rush hours. Commuters enjoy virtually instantaneous access onto Interstate 94 westbound toward the Twin Cities or eastbound toward Menomonie and Eau Claire. The facility serves as an established staging location for regional vanpools, carpool networks, and seasonal or corporate shuttles connecting western Wisconsin workers to employment hubs across the St. Croix River.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Free Public Parking: WisDOT commuter park-and-ride facility offering complimentary day and short-term commuter parking.
Unrestricted Clearance: Open-sky surface lot accommodating oversized vehicles, conversion vans, and trucks with roof racks.
Accessibility: Clearly designated ADA-compliant accessible parking stalls located close to the main pedestrian access point.
Paved & Striped: High-durability asphalt paving with clearly visible directional arrows and stall striping.
Lighting & Visibility: Dusk-to-dawn pole illumination providing visibility and convenience for early-morning and late-night commuters.
Bicycle Storage: On-site bike racks allowing multimodal commuting for local cyclists.

Ideal For

Twin Cities Commuters: Daily carpoolers and vanpoolers journeying across the river into St. Paul, Minneapolis, Woodbury, or Maplewood.
Western Wisconsin Workers: Local professionals carpooling to regional employment centers, distribution facilities, or medical complexes.
Business Travelers: Travelers meeting colleagues at a convenient highway junction to share rides toward Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP).
Weekend Recreationists: Outdoor enthusiasts rendezvousing for group trips to the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway or Willow River State Park.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Time Limits: As a state park-and-ride facility, parking is intended for commuter and carpooling use; vehicles must adhere to posted WisDOT duration limits (typically a 48-hour continuous parking maximum unless otherwise posted).
Winter Weather Awareness: During winter snow operations, park in actively cleared areas and observe posted seasonal maintenance notices to avoid plowing disruptions.
Peak Arrival Times: Mid-week morning peak hours (6:30 AM to 8:00 AM) see the highest turnover of carpoolers meeting up; arrive a few minutes early to easily connect with your rideshare group.
Secure Your Vehicle: Always lock doors, roll up windows completely, and keep all valuables hidden out of sight before departing.