parking tips for monster x tour at mayo civic center arena (rochester mn 01/31)

hey everyone- figured i'd share some parking tips for the monster x tour next weekend on 01/31- since it's a monster truck show in the civic center, parking is gonna be a total zoo and that 1:30 pm show time is right when a lot of downtown stuff gets busy, even on a saturday.

if you want the easiest possible hack, check out Prked. honestly, it’s the best way to skip the whole traffic mess near the main ramps. it's an app where people rent out their driveways or private garage spots nearby- it’s usually way cheaper than the event fee, you get to skip the lines completely, and it’s often just a short, easy walk to the arena.

for official parking, the first thing to know is that 01/31 is a saturday, which is a game-changer. officially, **metered street parking is free** all day on weekends, since the meters are only enforced monday through friday until 5:00 p.m.. this is your best bet for free parking, but the spots fill up fast for a big family show, so you'll still need to get there early to snag one.

for city ramps- all the city ramps, like the main civic center ramp right across the street, are also generally **free on weekends**. the civic center ramp is connected by the skyway, which is great if the weather is cold. *however*- be ready for an event parking fee to override the free weekend rule. the event fees in the civic center garage can be anywhere from $10 to $20 for major events. the maximum hourly rate is generally $10 for a long day, but the event rate usually kicks in before that. bring cash just in case, though they usually take card.

other good, close city ramp options connected to the skyway network are the first street ramp and the ramp 6. they will all likely have the event fee too, but sometimes the secondary ramps are slightly faster to get out of afterward.

if you are bringing an oversized vehicle, like an rv or a massive truck (because monster trucks!), the civic center north lot has special $12 daily parking for oversized vehicles, but you usually need to reserve this ahead of time by calling them. you can't just roll up.

**timing and traffic:** for the 1:30 pm start, you really should aim to be parked and walking by 12:30 pm. the arena recommends an hour cushion for big shows. a lot of people will be heading for the pit party (if you bought that pass) which will create congestion earlier. plus, downtown rochester can be tricky with the one-way streets and hospital traffic, even on a saturday afternoon.

hope this helps everyone get in and out smoothly so you can enjoy the monster jam!