About this Location

Facility Overview

The Washburn Park and Ride, strategically located at 2500 S Washburn Street in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, is a primary commuter and multi-modal transit hub managed under the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) network. Positioned directly alongside the heavily trafficked Interstate 41 corridor, this paved, open-air surface lot offers seamless transition for commuters, carpoolers, and regional travelers. Because it is a level open-air asphalt facility with no overhead canopies or garage decks, the facility features unobstructed vertical clearance, comfortably accommodating standard passenger cars, minivans, full-sized SUVs, high-roof conversion vans, work pickup trucks, and vehicles carrying rooftop cargo boxes or bike racks.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Situated on the southwest side of Oshkosh along the frontage road of I-41 near State Highway 44 (South Park Avenue), this park-and-ride lot serves as an ideal staging ground for destinations across the Fox Valley and Winnebago County:

Wittman Regional Airport & EAA Aviation Museum: Located less than 3 miles southeast, this facility is popular during the world-renowned annual EAA AirVenture fly-in convention as a convenient off-site meeting point and rideshare pickup location.
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (UW Oshkosh): Situated roughly 3.5 miles northeast, offering students, staff, and visitors an easy staging location to connect with regional carpools or local transit.
The Outlet Shoppes at Oshkosh: Just minutes north along Washburn Street, providing convenient access to numerous retail outlets, eateries, and service businesses.
Downtown Oshkosh & Leach Amphitheater: Approximately 3.5 miles away, hosting seasonal concerts, farmers markets, and civic festivals along the Fox River.
Sunnyview Expo Center: Located a brief 10-minute drive north via I-41, home to regional trade shows, county fairs, and equestrian events.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress are straightforward from South Washburn Street, which runs parallel to Interstate 41. Drivers can easily access the lot via either the WI-44 (South Park Avenue) interchange or the 9th Avenue/WI-21 interchange, avoiding interior city congestion. The lot is designed with wide two-way drive aisles that facilitate effortless turning and smooth vehicular flow even during peak rush-hour periods. In addition to serving regional carpool and vanpool commuters traveling toward Fond du Lac, Appleton, Neenah, and Green Bay, the facility frequently interfaces with regional intercity motorcoach routes and Oshkosh GO Transit connections, providing critical links across the Fox Cities.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Cost-Free Parking: Public state-maintained commuter parking offered free of charge for day-use and short-term commuter stays (up to WisDOT maximum posted time limits).
Open-Air Headroom: No height barriers or overhead structures, allowing large passenger trucks, vans, and rooftop gear racks unrestricted entry.
Illuminated Stalls: High-mast overhead pole lighting across the entire lot to enhance visibility and security during early morning and late evening commutes.
Dedicated ADA Accessible Spaces: Marked accessible stalls situated close to the main entrance and passenger waiting zones with appropriate curb ramps.
Clear Striping & Signage: High-contrast pavement markings, designated travel lanes, and informative WisDOT commuter informational signage.

Ideal For

Daily Highway Commuters: Fox Valley professionals commuting along the I-41 corridor between Oshkosh, Appleton, and Fond du Lac looking to carpool or vanpool.
EAA AirVenture Attendees: Visitors and volunteers coordinating carpools or shuttle meetups during aviation week to bypass airfield congestion.
UW Oshkosh Students & Faculty: Commuters seeking a centralized park-and-carpool hub outside the central campus core.
Regional Rideshare & Highway Travelers: Road-trippers and carpoolers needing an easily accessible, highway-adjacent meeting point with quick freeway access.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Commuter parking is generally permitted free of charge for up to 48 consecutive hours under standard WisDOT park-and-ride regulations; parking for periods exceeding posted limits or storing unattended recreational equipment, boats, and commercial cargo trailers is prohibited and subject to ticketing or towing. During major regional events—especially EAA AirVenture in late July—the lot experiences high demand, so drivers are advised to arrive early in the morning to secure optimal spots. For precise GPS navigation, enter \'2500 S Washburn St, Oshkosh\' and remain on the frontage road running west of I-41 between 20th Avenue and South Park Avenue.