About this Location

Facility Overview

The Waltham Park and Ride is a dedicated public commuter surface lot situated along Maple Street (VT Route 17), immediately east of the historic city of Vergennes in Addison County, Vermont. Maintained as part of the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) statewide park-and-ride network, this open-air facility is designed to support regional ridesharing, carpooling, and transit connections between the Champlain Valley and major employment centers like Burlington and Middlebury. Because it is an open-air surface parking lot with no overhead barriers or height restrictions, the facility accommodates standard passenger sedans, full-size SUVs, pickup trucks, high-roof work vans, and vehicles equipped with roof cargo racks or bicycles.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Located on the boundary between Waltham and Vergennes, the lot serves as an efficient gateway to Vermont’s smallest and oldest incorporated city, as well as nearby scenic destinations across the Champlain Valley:

Downtown Vergennes: Situated approximately 1.5 miles west (a 3-minute drive), offering boutique shopping, artisan bakeries, dining along Main Street, and the historic Vergennes Opera House.
Otter Creek Falls & Basin: Located roughly 1.8 miles west, featuring picturesque waterfall viewpoints, public boat launches, and walking paths along Otter Creek.
Bixby Memorial Free Library: Just 1.4 miles away, an iconic cultural and architectural landmark in central Vergennes.
Middlebury College & Downtown Middlebury: Located approximately 13 miles south via US Route 7, reachable in about 18 minutes.
Lake Champlain & Basin Harbor: Located 8 miles to the west, offering maritime recreation, golf, and lakeside dining.
Burlington Metropolitan Area: Situated approximately 23 miles north via US-7, providing an easy park-and-commute solution for professionals working in Chittenden County.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress are straightforward via a wide curb apron directly on Maple Street (Vermont Route 17), just east of its junction with US Route 7. Traffic flow within the lot is designed with standard two-way drive aisles, clear lane markings, and ample turning radiuses for effortless maneuvering. Commuters benefit from proximity to Tri-Valley Transit (TVT) regional bus routes linking Middlebury, Vergennes, and Burlington, as well as quick regional access to US Route 7, Vermont\'s primary north-south western travel corridor.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Free Commuter Parking: Open to the public at no charge for daily ridesharing and carpooling.
Open-Air Surface Design: No low-clearance parking decks, making it accessible for high-clearance pickups, cargo vans, and roof-racked vehicles.
Accessible Spaces: Designated ADA-compliant parking stalls marked with clear signage near pedestrian connection points.
Safety & Visibility: Equipped with perimeter lighting fixtures for evening arrivals and early-morning departures.
Year-Round Access: State-managed winter maintenance and seasonal snow removal.
Multi-Modal Staging: Suitable connection point for carpools, vanpools, and local bicycle commuters exploring scenic rural routes.

Ideal For

Daily Commuters: Drivers carpooling or taking regional transit north toward Burlington or south toward Middlebury and Rutland.
Carpoolers & Vanpoolers: Addison County workers coordinating shared rides along the Route 7 and Route 17 corridors.
Vergennes Visitors: Motorists meeting friends or colleagues before heading into downtown Vergennes for shopping and dining.
Outdoor Enthusiasts: Cyclists and paddlers using the lot as a staging base for exploring the lower Otter Creek basin and Champlain Valley backroads.

Visitor & Driver Tips

No Parking Fees: Parking at this VTrans facility is completely free, with no tickets, meters, or mobile parking apps required.
Winter Weather Awareness: During winter snowstorms, park close to central, plowed rows and adhere to any posted maintenance notifications to assist snow-clearing operations.
Overnight Staging: While day-use commuter parking is standard, multi-day long-term parking should be confirmed against local posted VTrans time-limit signs.
Secure Your Belongings: As with any rural commuter lot, lock vehicle doors, roll up windows, and keep all personal valuables out of plain view.