Americans waste over $72 billion a year on parking. Here's how to keep more of that money.
The Parking Problem
The average American spends $2,000-$4,000 per year on parking—between daily commuting, events, airport long-term, and random city trips. And most of that spending is unoptimized.
Here's the reality:
- Parking prices vary by 50-300% within the same block
- Most people use the first spot they see
- Reservation apps often offer 40-60% off walk-up rates
- Strategic planning can cut parking costs in half
Let's fix that.
The Parking Cost Hierarchy
Not all parking is priced equally. Understanding the hierarchy saves money:
MOST EXPENSIVE
▲
│ Event Parking (stadium, concert venue)
│ Walk-up Garage Rates
│ Hotel "Valet" Parking
│ Meter Parking (prime locations)
│ ─────────────────────────────
│ Pre-Reserved Garage Parking
│ Off-Peak Hours/Days
│ Perimeter Lots (5-10 min walk)
│ Monthly Passes (if frequent)
▼
LEAST EXPENSIVE
The rule: The more you plan ahead and walk, the more you save.
Strategy 1: Parking Reservation Apps
The single biggest parking hack is reserving in advance. Prices can be 40-60% lower than walk-up rates.
SpotHero
Coverage: 8,000+ locations in 300+ cities
How it works:
- Search by destination and time
- Compare prices across nearby lots
- Reserve and pay in app
- Show confirmation at garage
Best for: Urban parking, events, airports
Typical savings: 30-50% vs. walk-up
ParkWhiz
Coverage: Major metros and airports
How it works: Similar to SpotHero—search, compare, reserve.
Best for: Event parking (strong stadium partnerships)
Tip: Compare SpotHero and ParkWhiz prices—they have different inventory and pricing.
Parking.com (Simon Property Group)
Coverage: Shopping centers, malls, some urban areas
Best for: Parking near retail destinations
ParkMobile / ParkNow
Coverage: Street parking and meters in many cities
How it works: Pay for meter parking via app—extend time remotely
Best for: Avoiding meter tickets (extend time without walking back)
The Reservation Strategy
For planned trips:
- Search both SpotHero and ParkWhiz
- Compare prices to street parking options
- Check for promotional codes
- Reserve 1-3 days ahead for best selection
- Save confirmation for easy garage entry
For event parking:
- Reserve immediately when you buy event tickets
- Event parking can double or triple day-of
- Consider parking farther away and walking/transit
Strategy 2: Airport Parking
Airport parking is notoriously expensive. A week of on-airport parking can cost $150-$250+.
Option 1: Off-Airport Lots
Private lots near airports typically charge 40-60% less than on-airport.
How to find them:
- SpotHero/ParkWhiz airport search
- AirportParking.com
- TheParking Spot, Park 'N Fly (chains)
What to expect:
- Free shuttle to terminal
- Usually 5-15 minute shuttle ride
- Need to arrive 15-30 min earlier than on-airport
Savings: $50-$100+ per week vs. on-airport
Option 2: Ride to the Airport
Do the math on Uber/Lyft vs. parking:
| Trip Length | Parking Cost (7 days) | Round-Trip Uber | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 days | $30-$60 | $40-$80 | Close call |
| 3-4 days | $75-$120 | $40-$80 | Uber wins |
| 7+ days | $150-$250 | $40-$80 | Uber wins easily |
For longer trips, Uber/Lyft almost always wins.
Option 3: Park-and-Ride + Transit
Many airports have transit connections:
- Park at suburban transit station (often free)
- Take train/bus to airport
- Can save $100+ on week-long trips
Option 4: Get Dropped Off
If you have someone who can drop you off and pick you up—free parking.
Strategy 3: Street Parking Mastery
Free or cheap street parking exists—you just have to know where to look.
Reading the Signs
Most parking confusion comes from misreading signs. Here's the hierarchy:
Read from top to bottom. Higher signs override lower signs.
Common restrictions:
- No Parking [times/days] - You'll be towed
- 2-Hour Parking - Must move within 2 hours
- Resident Permit Only - Non-residents get tickets
- Street Cleaning [day/time] - Towed if parked during cleaning
Finding Free Street Parking
The "perimeter strategy":
- Define your destination
- Draw a circle 5-10 blocks out
- Search for unrestricted street parking on the perimeter
- Walk the extra distance
When free street parking is more likely:
- Residential neighborhoods outside commercial cores
- Sunday in many cities (no meters enforced)
- After certain evening hours
- Side streets off main avenues
Apps That Help
SpotAngels:
- Crowdsourced street parking data
- Shows where you can park and for how long
- Alerts for street cleaning/restrictions
Google Maps:
- Shows parking difficulty by area
- Lists public lots with pricing
- Shows street parking restrictions in some cities
Strategy 4: Commuter Parking
If you drive to work regularly, parking adds up fast:
| Monthly Parking | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| $100/month | $1,200/year |
| $200/month | $2,400/year |
| $300/month | $3,600/year |
| $400/month | $4,800/year |
Cost-Cutting Options
Monthly pass negotiations:
- Ask about corporate rates
- Some garages offer discounts for annual prepayment
- Early-bird specials (arrive before 9 AM)
Park-and-ride:
- Park in suburb + transit to downtown
- Often $0-$100/month vs. $200-$400 downtown
Carpool math:
- Split parking with coworker
- Some cities have carpool parking discounts
Alternative days:
- Work from home 2 days = 40% parking savings
- Park farther away and walk/bike for health
Pre-Tax Parking Benefits
If your employer offers commuter benefits, you can pay for parking with pre-tax dollars.
2024-2025 limits: Up to $315/month pre-tax
The math:
- $300/month parking
- Pay with pre-tax dollars
- Save ~$90/month in taxes (30% bracket)
- Annual savings: $1,080
Check if your employer offers this through Wageworks, Edenred, or similar.
Strategy 5: Event Parking
Stadium and concert parking is where prices get ridiculous—$30-$100+ per event.
Book Immediately
Event parking prices rise as the event approaches:
| When You Book | Typical Price |
|---|---|
| Weeks ahead | $15-$25 |
| Days ahead | $25-$40 |
| Day of | $40-$60+ |
| Walk-up | $50-$100+ |
Rule: Book parking when you book tickets.
Alternative Event Parking
Residential areas:
- Find unrestricted street parking 10-15 min walk away
- Factor in time and safety
Restaurant/bar parking:
- Arrive early, park at restaurant near venue
- Have dinner, walk to event
- Return for nightcap after
Transit:
- Many stadiums have transit options
- Park at suburban station, train to venue
- Avoid traffic leaving
Event-Specific Apps
SpotHero / ParkWhiz: Both have event-specific inventory
Parking Panda: Good for events
Venue apps: Some stadiums have their own parking apps
Strategy 6: Parking Ticket Defense
The average parking ticket costs $40-$100+. A single ticket wipes out months of parking savings.
Prevention
Set phone reminders:
- When your meter expires
- Street cleaning days
- Permit zone hours
ParkMobile/PayByPhone:
- Extend meter time remotely
- Get notifications before expiration
Photo your spot:
- Document signs and your position
- Evidence for disputes
Disputing Tickets
Many tickets are dismissible. Always dispute if you have any grounds:
Common dispute reasons:
- Sign wasn't visible
- Sign was confusing/contradictory
- Meter was broken
- You were loading/unloading
- Factual errors on ticket
How to dispute:
- Take photos of signs, your car, surroundings
- Note exact time and conditions
- File dispute online or by mail (almost never go in person)
- Provide evidence and explanation
- Request hearing if initial dispute fails
Success rates: Many cities dismiss 20-50% of disputed tickets. It's always worth trying.
Strategy 7: Hotel Parking
Hotel parking can add $30-$60/night to your stay—sometimes more in major cities.
Avoid Hotel Parking
Book nearby garage instead:
- SpotHero often shows nearby lots at 50% less
- Walk to hotel
Street parking:
- Some hotel neighborhoods have free/cheap street parking
- Ask front desk for local tips
Negotiate Hotel Parking
Ask for:
- Parking included in room rate
- Discounted daily rate
- In-and-out privileges (avoid multiple charges)
AAA/elite status: Often includes parking discounts
Self-Park vs. Valet
Valet is typically $10-$30 more per day than self-park. Unless you need quick access or are staying briefly, self-park.
The Parking Tracker
Track your parking spending to find optimization opportunities:
Monthly Tracking Template
| Category | Current Spending | Optimized Target |
|---|---|---|
| Commute parking | $___ | $___ |
| Weekend/errands | $___ | $___ |
| Events/entertainment | $___ | $___ |
| Airport parking | $___ | $___ |
| Parking tickets | $___ | $0 |
| Total | $___ | $___ |
Where to Cut First
- Parking tickets - Easiest to eliminate entirely
- Event parking - Book ahead, save 50%+
- Airport parking - Off-airport or Uber
- Commute - Pre-tax benefits, park-and-ride
- Daily errands - Street parking strategy
Quick Reference: Parking Savings by Situation
| Situation | Best Strategy | Expected Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Daily commute | Pre-tax benefits, park-and-ride | 30-50% |
| Downtown errands | SpotHero reservation | 40-60% |
| Stadium/concert | Book immediately with tickets | 50-70% |
| Airport (3+ days) | Uber/Lyft or off-airport lot | 40-70% |
| Hotel | Nearby garage via app | 30-50% |
| Street parking | SpotAngels + perimeter strategy | Free-50% |
The Bottom Line
Most people treat parking as a necessary evil and overpay without thinking. But parking is one of the most optimizable car expenses:
- Always check apps first - SpotHero, ParkWhiz before walking up
- Book events immediately - Prices only go up
- Consider alternatives - Transit, Uber, walking distance
- Use pre-tax benefits - Free 20-30% savings
- Prevent tickets - Set reminders, use apps, take photos
The driver who plans ahead pays half what the driver who wings it pays.
Looking for parking near a specific venue? Use our parking finder to compare prices.
Related Articles:
- Airport Parking Secrets: How to Save 50%
- Is Monthly Parking Worth It? The Math Breakdown
- How to Dispute a Parking Ticket (And Win)
Last updated: January 2025
