Facility Overview
The MDOT Park & Ride located at 5417 E Pickard St in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, is an open-air surface commuter parking facility strategically placed at the intersection of US-127 and M-20 (Pickard Street). Designed to facilitate regional carpooling, ridesharing, and multimodal travel, this dedicated lot features a paved asphalt surface with clearly marked vehicle stalls. Because the lot is completely uncovered, there are no vertical clearance barriers or low-clearance overhangs, making it an excellent choice for full-size pickup trucks, commercial work vans, large SUVs, and vehicles with rooftop carriers or ski racks.
Prime Location & Nearby Attractions
Situated on the eastern corridor of Mount Pleasant, this Park & Ride lot offers unparalleled access to key regional destinations and entertainment venues. Notable nearby points of interest include:
- Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort: Located less than two miles east along Pickard Road, making this an ideal meet-up location for gaming, dining, and concertgoers attending the Soaring Eagle Entertainment Hall or outdoor concert venue.
- Central Michigan University (CMU): Situated approximately 4 miles southwest, providing convenient carpooling options for CMU Chippewas students, faculty, and game-day visitors heading to Kelly/Shorts Stadium or McGuirk Arena.
- Downtown Mount Pleasant: Roughly 3 miles due west along M-20, granting fast access to local boutiques, craft breweries, and the Mount Pleasant City Hall district.
- Mid-Michigan College & Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum: Located just a short drive away, catering to students, educators, and family outings.
- Commercial Corridor Services: Immediately surrounding the US-127 and M-20 interchange, visitors will find several quick-service restaurants, fueling stations, and traveler hotels such as the Hampton Inn and Fairfield by Marriott.
Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity
The lot features straightforward vehicular ingress and egress off East Pickard Street (M-20), positioned just off the on- and off-ramps for US-127. This location enables rapid transit north toward Clare, Grayling, and Northern Michigan, or south toward Alma, Ithaca, and the Greater Lansing capital region. Local public transit connectivity is supported by the Isabella County Transportation Commission (ICTC / I-Ride), offering dial-a-ride and demand-response services that serve the Pickard Road corridor and link commuters to CMU and city centers.
Facility Amenities & Key Features
- 100% Free Commuter Parking: State-operated MDOT carpool facility with no hourly or daily parking fees.
- Open-Air Surface Lot: No height limitations or overhead clearance constraints.
- Paved & Striped Stalls: Clean asphalt surface layout with designated standard and ADA-accessible spaces.
- Overhead Area Lighting: High-mast pole lighting provides visibility during early morning and late evening transfers.
- Continuous 24/7 Access: Accessible at all hours for shift workers, weekend commuters, and long-distance travelers.
Ideal For
- Daily Regional Commuters: Drivers carpooling south to Lansing or north along US-127 for work.
- Casino & Concert Visitors: Groups heading to Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort wanting to condense vehicles.
- University Students & Staff: Central Michigan University students and personnel organizing rideshares from outer communities.
- Outdoor Enthusiasts & Roadtrippers: A reliable staging point for staging caravans heading toward Northern Michigan recreation areas.
Visitor & Driver Tips
While the Park & Ride lot is free and open around the clock, vehicles should be locked and all valuables removed from sight. The lot is intended for active carpool and commuter rideshare use; unattended vehicles left beyond standard carpool durations may be subject to ticketing or impoundment under MDOT regulations. During major university football games, commencement ceremonies, or headlining concerts at Soaring Eagle, arrive early to ensure you secure a prime stall before the lot fills with ridesharers.
