Summary
Getting to the Wisconsin State Fair can indeed present some challenges, especially concerning congestion. If you choose to drive, you have two primary options: park within the fairgrounds or nearby auxiliary lots, where many local homes and businesses allow parking for a fee. Numerous shuttle services and city buses are available as alternative modes of transportation.
Parking on the State Fair Grounds
Accessible parking spaces for individuals with disabilities are conveniently placed at:
- Gate 1, located at the intersection of 79th Street and Greenfield Avenue
- Gate 7, positioned at the north end of Fair Park off Kearney Street
- Gate 3, situated on 84th Street adjacent to the State Fair Transit Center, where you will be guided to designated parking areas
Shuttles
Enjoy free parking and utilize the Shuttle service! The Shuttle operates from the Watertown Plank Road Park-Ride Lot on HWY 45 directly to the State Fair Transit Center at Gate 4 every day of the Fair. Shuttles run every 15 minutes from 7:30 a.m. until a half-hour after the fair closes.
Contact: For more information, visit statefairshuttle.com or call (414) 344-6711.
Milwaukee County Transit System Freeway Flyers
Park for free at various park-ride lots, including: Brown Deer Road west of I-43, Green Bay Road just north of Brown Deer Road, and College Avenue at I-94 (both lots). The Southridge Mall Parking Lot on Edgerton Avenue at 72nd Street and Whitnall/Hales Corners at I-43 east of S. 108th Street also provide convenient options. Buses will drop off and pick up at the State Fair Transit Center at Gate 4.
Freeway Flyers operate from 7:30 a.m. until a half-hour after the fair closes, with service every 30 minutes. However, the Brown Deer and Green Bay Road Park-Ride lots offer hourly service, with buses serving the Green Bay Road Lot every hour at 20 minutes past and the Brown Deer Lot hourly at 30 minutes past the hour.
Contact: For further details, visit statefairshuttle.com or call (414) 344-6711.
Milwaukee County Transit System Regular Routes
Take Route 23 directly to the fair! This route runs every 15-20 minutes between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., departing from 2nd Street, just north of Wisconsin Avenue.
Upon returning, catch the Route 23 bus home from the State Fair Transit Center at Gate 4, operating from 10 a.m. until the Fair closes, with a frequency of 15-20 minutes until 7 p.m., and then every 30 minutes thereafter.
Important Notice: Not all Route 23 buses serve the State Fair; please ensure you’re boarding a bus with a State Fair destination sign.
Additionally, other local routes such as Route 56 (Greenfield Ave.), Route 67 (N. 76th St.-S. 84th St.), and Route 76 (N. 60th-S. 70th St.) stop near the State Fair Park entrances.
Contact: For more information, visit RideMCTS.com or call (414) 344-6711.
Go Riteway’s State Fair Shuttle From Washington County
Go Riteway provides daily round-trip service throughout the day from two locations in Washington County. The first departures start at Washington County Fair Park at 7:00 a.m., followed by the Life Church Parking Lot at 7:30 a.m.
Contact: For additional details, visit goriteway.com.
Waukesha County Shuttle
Residents of Waukesha County can access the fair from three convenient locations along I-94. The first bus departs from Goerkes Corners (I-94/Hwy 18 Park & Ride at Barker Road) at 7:25 a.m., with departures every 30 minutes until 7:55 p.m. From the Nagawaukee Park & Ride in Delafield (I-94 & Hwy 83), service begins at 7:30 a.m., and buses depart every half hour until 7:30 p.m. Lastly, the Meadowbrook Park & Ride in Pewaukee (I-94 & Hwy G) also starts service at 7:40 a.m., with departures every 30 minutes until 7:40 p.m. The shuttle drops off at the U.S. Cellular Main Gate with return service every 30 minutes.
Contact: For more information, visit the Wisconsin State Fair website or statefairshuttle.com.
