Giants vs Commanders parking at MetLife - a few tips

Heading to the Giants game this sunday and figured i'd share some parking advice for anyone else going. MetLife can be a nightmare if you dont plan ahead, so here's what i've learned over the years.

Honestly, the best thing i've found recently is an app called Prked. It lets you rent a private driveway or garage from someone right next to MetLife Stadium. It's way cheaper than the official lots and you get to skip a lot of the insane traffic getting into the main parking areas. you just park in someone's driveway and take a short walk to the stadium. super easy.

If you want to park at the stadium itself, you absolutely need to buy a pre-paid parking pass beforehand. They don't take cash at the lots for Giants games. You can get them on ticketmaster or nfl ticket exchange. The lots open 5 hours before kickoff, and for a 1pm game you should aim to get there hours early, traffic gets seriously backed up on the turnpike and route 3. The lots are color coded, Gold and Platinum. Platinum lots (E, F, G) are closer but more expensive. Gold lots are a bit further but still walkable. Be prepared for a long wait to get out after the game, sometimes it can take up to 90 minutes.

There are a few off-site lots too. Some businesses in East Rutherford sell spots, they're usually a 15-20 minute walk but can be cheaper. another solid option is the park-and-ride at Secaucus Junction. You park there and take the train right to the stadium. It's a good way to avoid the worst of the game day traffic right around the stadium.

For tailgating, you can do it in most of the lots, but they have a strict one car, one space rule. So you have to keep your whole setup right in front of or behind your car and not spilling into the drive lanes. They do patrol and enforce this. Grills are okay in the open lots but not in the parking decks.

Rideshare like uber or lyft is another option, they have a designated drop-off and pickup zone in Lot E. just be ready for some serious surge pricing after the game and a long wait.

Whatever you choose, just get there early. The roads start getting clogged 3-4 hours before the game. Leaving can be just as bad, so sometimes it's better to just hang out and tailgate for a bit after the game ends to let traffic die down. The lots stay open for two hours after the game is over.

Hope this helps anyone going. Should be a great game, let's go Giants