Everything you need to know about driving, parking or taking the bus to the N.C. State Fair
One of my coworkers admitted to me that he hasn’t been to the N.C. State Fair in 20+ years. I asked him why, and he pointed to the traffic and parking problems. There’s no doubt that busy fair days require a little bit of patience to get into the fairgrounds, but the promise of a ride down the world’s largest portable slide and giant turkey legs are worth the wait.
Traffic is iffy for the N.C. State Fair. Sometimes there’s very little backup, sometimes it can be slow going, and sometimes it seems like there’s no rhyme or reason to it.
But no matter what, it’s guaranteed to not even come close to sucking as bad as traffic at this month’s U2 concert. So don’t let traffic be an excuse for not going to the fair.
Here’s everything you need to know about getting to the fair:
IF YOU DRIVE: Parking is free on state-owned parking lots. The fair’s website warns that, unlike years past, cars parked on Wade Avenue and Edwards Mill Road will be towed. Neighboring residents often will charge to let you park in their yard, and fair organizers warn they have no control over this.
Road Closures: If the fair gets particularly busy, officers may close exits from Wade Avenue to Blue Ridge Road and from the inner beltline to Hillsborough Street to encourage traffic to go to Edwards Mill Road. This doesn’t make a lot of sense to me, but whatever. Just be aware of it if you’re going on a sunny Saturday (good weather + weekend usually = especially busy fair days).
Uh-Oh, Where Did I Park?: This is so awesome. If you’re leaving the fair with a belly full of deep fried Ho-Hos and chocolate covered bacon and you suddenly realize you’ve exited out the wrong gate, have no fear. A free tram will circle the fairgrounds and shuttle you to your parking lot. Details here.
TAKE THE BUS: The N.C. State Fair coordinates special bus routes and rates with local public transportation providers. This is the easiest, no hassle way of getting to the fair. Bonus, if you take the bus, you get a $10 coupon Subway coupon book, and some bus routes even have express lanes so you can pass the suckers sitting in their cars.
Bus from Raleigh: For $4 adults can ride the CAT from downtown Raleigh or from a park-and-ride lot in north Raleigh. The bus will run these routes from early morning to midnight. Children under 40″ tall ride free with a paying adult. Details on the Raleigh route here.
Bus from Cary: Climb aboard the CAT at the WakeMed Soccer Park anytime from 8:30 a.m. to midnight. The same fares apply as the Raleigh route. Details on the Cary route here.
Bus rom Durham: A DATA bus will shuttle fairgoers from the new downtown Durham Station to the fair for a bargain $2 round-trip fare. Children are free, and some bus riders qualify for a $1 rate. Hours and details on the Durham route here.
Bus rom RTP and Chapel Hill: The Triangle Transit Authority will shuttle passengers from two stops on both Saturdays (Oct. 17 and 24) and Sundays (Oct. 18 and 25). The ride is $5 roundtrip, but free for kids 12 and under. Details on the Chapel Hill and RTP park-and-ride lots here.
TAKE THE TRAIN: Yep, the State Fair gets a special stop on Amtrak. There are more time limitations, but it only costs $5 to ride Amtrak from Durham, $11 from Greensboro and $25 from Charlotte. Carefully read details here before you book your ticket though.
Wishing you safe travels and a lot of deep fried goodness!
I loooooove the shuttle bus. We take it from the Cary soccer park every year. It’s a little pricey considering you can cram everyone in one car and park for free at Carter-Finley, but it’s worth it.
@Valerie Yeah, it’s weird that they charge $4 to ride from the soccer park, it’s super close to the fairgrounds compared to Durham (which only charges $2).
[...] here – after all, if you get here early there will be plenty to see and do. Ginny Skalski posted a great roundup of tips on getting to the Fair on her [...]