Facility Overview

WisDOT Park & Ride 44-01 is a state-managed, open-air surface parking facility strategically positioned along the Interstate 41 corridor on the northeastern fringe of the Appleton metropolitan area, adjacent to Little Chute in Outagamie County. Located off Randolph Drive just east of County Highway N (Freedom Road) and Evergreen Drive, this dedicated commuter facility offers 76 paved vehicle stalls engineered to support everyday regional commuters, carpoolers, and event travelers across the Fox Cities and northeastern Wisconsin. Because the facility is an expansive outdoor asphalt surface lot, there are no overhead clearance height restrictions or parking deck ceilings to navigate, making it effortless to maneuver standard passenger cars, minivans, crossover crossovers, full-size SUVs, and personal light-duty pickup trucks. Note that in accordance with Wisconsin Department of Transportation regulations, commercial motor vehicles or trucks weighing in excess of 8,000 lbs, detached trailers, and camping activities are strictly prohibited.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Situated directly off the I-41 junction at Exit 146, this park and ride lot serves as a vital staging hub for both local destinations and regional journeys:

• Simon's Specialty Cheese: Located less than a quarter-mile away along Freedom Road, this iconic Fox Valley gourmet destination is a favorite stop for fresh Wisconsin cheese curds, gifts, and regional specialties before hitting the highway.
• Badger Sports Park: Located roughly 1.5 miles west on Evergreen Drive, offering year-round family entertainment, go-karts, batting cages, and arcade games.
• Downtown Appleton & Fox Cities PAC: Situated approximately 5 miles southwest, Appleton’s lively downtown core features the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, Lawrence University, the Trout Museum of Art, and diverse dining along College Avenue.
• Lambeau Field & Green Bay: Positioned only 25 to 30 miles northeast straight up Interstate 41, this lot serves as a premier rendezvous point for Green Bay Packers game-day carpools and concert shuttles.
• Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium: Home of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Milwaukee Brewers High-A affiliate), situated approximately 8 miles southwest along the highway corridor.
• Appleton Memorial Park: An expansive civic park located approximately 3.5 miles southwest, featuring Scheig Center gardens, trails, and community ballfields.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress at WisDOT Park & Ride 44-01 are smooth, efficient, and well-signposted. Motorists traveling along Interstate 41 take Exit 146 for County Highway N (Freedom Road), head north for a few hundred feet, turn east onto Evergreen Drive, and make an immediate right onto Randolph Drive to access the entrance apron. Street pavement markings and wide turning aprons ensure seamless flow even during peak rush hour or high-volume weekend mornings. While this suburban fringe lot is primarily designed for automobile carpools, rideshares, and bicycle connections through Wisconsin RIDESHARE matching services, it provides instant vehicular integration to I-41 and nearby WIS 441 (Tri-County Expressway), facilitating frictionless transit across Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, Kaukauna, and Green Bay.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• 100% Free Public Parking: Zero hourly, daily, or permit fees; no meters, gates, or ticketing apps required.
• Capacity & Layout: 76 clearly striped, paved asphalt surface stalls offering generous drive-aisle space for easy turning.
• Unrestricted Headroom: Fully open-air format with no overhead height barriers, accommodating tall roof racks, bike carriers, and lifted pickup trucks under 8,000 lbs GVW.
• Accessible Parking: Designated ADA-compliant stalls marked with proper signage located near the primary entrance path.
• Site Security & Lighting: Overhead high-efficiency street and pole lighting illuminated throughout dusk-to-dawn hours for increased visibility and commuter peace of mind.
• Extended Parking Allowance: WisDOT permits continuous overnight and weekend parking for up to 7 consecutive days (one week maximum).

Ideal For

• Packers Game-Day Carpoolers: Drivers heading north to Lambeau Field who want to consolidate vehicles and share travel costs.
• Daily Fox Cities & Green Bay Commuters: Workers meeting carpool or vanpool groups along the heavily traveled I-41 corridor.
• Weekend Travelers & Road Trippers: Drivers leaving an extra car behind in a secure, legal spot for weekend excursions across Wisconsin.
• Fox Cities Eventgoers: Visitors attending seasonal festivals, trade shows, or sporting tournaments in Little Chute, Kaukauna, and Appleton.

Visitor & Driver Tips

To maximize convenience and ensure regulatory compliance, keep these practical tips in mind when using WisDOT Park & Ride 44-01:

• Observe the 7-Day Limit: WisDOT monitors parking duration; vehicles left continuously for more than 7 days, abandoned vehicles, or vehicles advertised for sale risk citation or municipal towing.
• Plan Ahead for Major Event Days: For Packers home games, EAA AirVenture week in nearby Oshkosh, and major summer holiday weekends, the lot can fill up early in the morning. Arrive ahead of peak departure times to secure a space.
• Park in Marked Stalls Only: Avoid parking on grass verges, curbs, or blocking driving lanes to keep emergency and maintenance vehicles unobstructed.
• Secure Your Vehicle: While the lot is well-lit and positioned in a low-crime community, always lock all doors, roll up windows, and remove high-value items or luggage from plain sight.
• Winter Weather Preparedness: During snowstorms, state and county road crews plow the facility, but drivers should take care when parking during active snowfall to allow plows sufficient turning room.