Facility Overview

The Routes 356 & 28 Park & Ride is a designated state commuter and carpool parking facility situated at 2012 Silverville Road in Sarver, Pennsylvania (Buffalo Township, Butler County). Perfectly situated at the intersection of Pennsylvania Route 28 (the Allegheny Valley Expressway) and Pennsylvania Route 356, this facility provides an essential staging point for regional daily commuters, vanpools, and weekend travelers heading throughout Western Pennsylvania. The lot is an expansive, well-paved, open-air surface parking facility featuring clear vehicular circulation lanes, dedicated parking bays, and direct access points. Because it is a ground-level, uncovered lot, there are no overhead clearance restrictions, making it exceptionally accommodating for full-size pickup trucks, commercial vans, high-roof conversion vans, SUVs equipped with roof racks or cargo carriers, and standard passenger sedans alike.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Conveniently placed in the southern Butler County corridor adjacent to the Allegheny River Valley, this parking facility serves as a gateway to both rural recreational amenities and the greater Pittsburgh metropolitan area:

• Lernerville Speedway: Located just 4 miles north along Route 356 (approximately an 8-minute drive), this renowned high-octane dirt track hosts World of Outlaws sprint car and late-model racing events, drawing thousands of motorsports enthusiasts throughout the racing season.
• Butler-Freeport Community Trail: Situated less than 2 miles away, this beloved 21-mile rail-trail offers scenic hiking, running, and cycling through the Buffalo Creek valley.
• Historic Freeport: Just 2.5 miles south at the confluence of Buffalo Creek and the Allegheny River, offering local riverside eateries, bakeries, and civic services.
• Buffalo Golf Course: Approximately 2 miles north, providing convenient public golf links for regional players.
• Greater Pittsburgh & Downtown Cultural District: Paired with express travel south on PA Route 28, commuters can reach Pittsburgh’s North Shore, Strip District, and Downtown business district within 30 to 40 minutes under typical traffic conditions.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress to the facility are designed for seamless, high-volume flow via Silverville Road, positioned immediately adjacent to the on- and off-ramps of PA Route 28 at Exit 17 (PA-356 / Freeport / Butler). Motorists can rapidly transition off the freeway into the lot or re-enter the highway within seconds, avoiding congested downtown surface streets. The facility functions primarily as a carpool and rideshare staging hub for workers commuting down the Allegheny Valley corridor toward Pittsburgh, Oakmont, RIDC Park in O\'Hara Township, and Harmarville, as well as north toward Kittanning and Butler. Local regional bus routes operated by regional transit agencies periodically serve park-and-ride corridors connecting into downtown transit centers.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Free Commuter Parking: Operated as a public commuter park-and-ride facility with no hourly or daily parking fees.
• Uncovered Surface Layout: Zero vertical height clearance limitations, comfortably fitting lifted trucks, high-profile work vehicles, and campervans.
• ADA Accessible Spaces: Clearly marked accessible parking stalls situated nearest to main pedestrian pathways and transit boarding areas.
• Overhead Area Lighting: Dusk-to-dawn exterior floodlights throughout the lot to provide visibility and driver safety during early morning and late evening hours.
• Direct Expressway Proximity: Located immediately off PA-28 Exit 17, minimizing detour time for daily carpools.
• Trash Receptacles: On-site bins to help maintain clean grounds for daily travelers.

Ideal For

• Daily Commuters: Workers heading south toward Pittsburgh, Waterworks Mall area, and Allegheny County business hubs looking to share rides and split fuel costs.
• Lernerville Speedway Attendees: Carpoolers and motorsport groups seeking a centralized, easy-to-find meetup spot before heading north up Route 356 on race nights.
• Outdoor Enthusiasts & Cyclists: Trail users and kayakers meeting up before exploring the Butler-Freeport Community Trail or Buffalo Creek watershed.
• Contractors and Carpoolers: Tradespeople and crew members meeting at a convenient regional crossroad with wide spaces and ample turning radius for larger work vehicles.

Visitor & Driver Tips

• Peak Arrival Hours: Weekday mornings between 6:30 AM and 8:00 AM experience the highest turnover and arrivals; plan to arrive early to select prime stalls near the exit.
• Overnight Parking Policies: While commuter day parking is completely free, vehicles left unattended for extended multiday periods may be subject to local municipal or state police inquiry; avoid leaving vehicles parked beyond 24–48 hours unless arranged with local transit authorities.
• Winter Weather Preparedness: As an open surface lot in Western Pennsylvania, winter snow events and freezing conditions may affect ground conditions prior to municipal plowing; exercise caution during early morning freeze-and-thaw cycles.
• GPS Assistance: Ensure your navigation system specifies 2012 Silverville Road near PA-356 and PA-28 Exit 17 to avoid confusing it with commercial industrial drives further north on Silverville Road.