Facility Overview

WisDOT Park & Ride 44-02, commonly known as the Ballard Road Park and Ride, is an official Wisconsin Department of Transportation commuter facility situated on East Evergreen Drive in northeast Appleton. Nestled immediately northeast of the junction between Interstate 41 (US-41) and County Highway E (Ballard Road), the facility is designed as a single-level, open-air paved surface lot comprising 142 marked automobile parking stalls. Because the facility is entirely uncovered, it features unobstructed overhead clearance, allowing high-profile passenger vehicles, work pickups, roof-rack-equipped SUVs, and standard conversion vans to navigate freely without vertical barrier limitations. However, drivers must observe state DOT regulations prohibiting commercial trucks with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 8,000 pounds, detached trailers, mobile homes, and overnight vehicle camping.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Strategically situated on the northern edge of the Fox Cities metro corridor, this facility serves as an essential nexus for both regional commuting and intercity travel. The lot sits within quick driving distance of major Fox Cities destinations and serves as a prime departure point heading north to Green Bay:

• Green Bay & Lambeau Field: Located approximately 28 miles (around 30 minutes) north via continuous freeway on I-41, making this lot a top game-day carpool hub for Green Bay Packers football games and Resch Center concerts.
• Downtown Appleton & Fox Cities Performing Arts Center (PAC): Approximately 4.5 miles south (a 10-to-12-minute drive via Ballard Road), providing straightforward access to downtown shows, the Trout Museum of Art, and Lawrence University.
• USA Youth Sports Complex: Located less than 2 miles to the southeast, hosting major soccer, softball, and youth baseball tournaments throughout the spring and summer seasons.
• Appleton Memorial Park: Roughly 2 miles south, featuring the Appleton Family Ice Center, disc golf courses, and community gardens.
• Commercial Corridor: Adjacent to local conveniences, fuel stations, and quick-service dining along Ballard Road and Evergreen Drive, ideal for pre-commute coffee or refuels.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Direct vehicle ingress is achieved from East Evergreen Drive just east of County Highway E (Ballard Road). Drivers should be attentive to local traffic patterns: the primary entrance directly off Evergreen Drive is configured as a right-in entry. When departing the lot to travel westbound back toward Ballard Road or the I-41 on-ramps, vehicles are routed through Gateway Court to connect with Gateway Drive. The facility is exceptionally well-connected to Interstate 41, providing rapid on-ramp access in both northbound (toward Green Bay) and southbound (toward Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, and Milwaukee) directions. In addition to private carpooling, this facility serves as a scheduled stop for regional and intercity motorcoach providers, such as OurBus routes linking Appleton with Green Bay, Milwaukee, and Chicago.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• 100% Free Public Parking: Fully state-funded with zero hourly, daily, or permit charges for general carpool and transit use.
• 142 Paved Stalls: Paved asphalt surface featuring marked single-vehicle parking spaces and designated ADA-accessible parking near the front.
• Bicycle Facilities: On-site bike racks with capacity for up to 11 bicycles, catering to multimodal bike-and-ride commuters.
• Overnight Stays Permitted: Overnight and multi-day parking is permitted free of charge for up to 7 consecutive days (maximum 1-week duration).
• Nighttime Illumination: High-mast overhead pole lighting across the stalls and driving aisles for enhanced visibility and after-dark safety.
• Intercity Coach Drop-Off/Pick-Up: Wide perimeter turning radiuses capable of accommodating regional shuttle buses and long-distance passenger coaches.

Ideal For

• Highway Commuters & Carpoolers: Drivers coordinating rideshares down the Fox Valley or up to Brown County via the I-41 corridor.
• Packers Game-Day Caravans: Sports fans gathering to consolidate into single vehicles before heading to Lambeau Field to minimize parking costs and stadium congestion.
• Intercity Bus Travelers: Passengers booking regional motorcoach tickets with companies like OurBus for weekend getaways or trips to regional airports.
• Multiday Travelers: Commuters who need dependable, free parking for up to 7 consecutive days while traveling for business or vacation.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Parking spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and while the 142 stalls generally accommodate standard weekday commuter volume, the lot fills up quickly on Green Bay Packers home game Sundays and during major summer festivals. Aim to arrive 20 to 30 minutes early on event days to ensure stall availability. Be careful when navigating the exit route: avoid attempting illegal left turns directly out onto Evergreen Drive; always follow the directional roadway through Gateway Court onto Gateway Drive. Finally, note that while overnight parking is legal up to one full week, Wisconsin Statute 86.025 strictly prohibits camping, sleeping in vehicles, or leaving detached trailers or untagged vehicles unattended.