Ohio State Fair Parking Information

Parking
In 2025, parking at the Ohio State Fair is $10.

Public Transportation
COTA Line 8 and Line 22 bus stops are available on 11^th Ave just west of Ohio Gate 8 South Entrance.
For more information visit https://www.cota.com/ or use a trip planning app of your choice.

Greater Columbus Map
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Bus Parking

• Approach the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair on Interstate 71
• Take Exit 111 for 17th Avenue
• Turn West toward the Ohio Expo Center
• Follow the road and cones onto the grounds through the plaza (to your right/north).
• When you reach the four-way stop at Velma Ave, turn LEFT (south) toward Gate 2.
• Proceed down Velma Ave through Gate 2 and past Gate 3; a gate attendant will direct you to the parking area.

Address
Ohio Expo Center 717 E. 17th Ave.
Columbus, OH 43211

From the North
Take I-71 South to 17th Avenue/Exit 111. Signs and parking attendants will direct guests to the proper parking areas.

From the South
Take I-71 North to 17th Avenue/Exit 111. Signs and parking attendants will direct guests to the proper parking areas.

From the East
Take I-70 West to I-71 North. Take I-71 North to 17th Avenue/Exit 111. Signs and parking attendants will direct guests to the proper parking areas.

From the West
Take I-70 East to I-71 North. Take I-71 North to 17th Avenue/Exit 111. Signs and parking attendants will direct guests to the proper parking areas.

Free Park-and-Ride

Ohio State Fair guests can park for free at Columbus State Community College, and ride free in air-conditioned shuttles to the 11th Avenue entry gate (the OHIO Gate).

Directions
From I-71, get off at the Spring Street exit. Click here for additional directions, including videos of how to access Columbus State Community College.

Address (for use in GPS navigation systems/mapping):
534 E Long Street, Columbus, OH 43215

Parking Map
Park for free in any of the red maps shown on the park-and-ride map. Please note that there may be signs posted about paying to park, as the college does charge for parking outside of the designated lots and outside of the Ohio State Fair dates in the designated lots. If you are attending the Ohio State Fair July 23 - Aug. 3 and park in the red lots, you do not need to pay to park.

Free Park-and-Ride Shuttle
The free parking shuttle will pick up and drop off at the intersection of Washington and Spring Street, shown on the park-and-ride map with a yellow star. At the Ohio State Fair, the shuttle will pick up and drop off at the 11th Avenue gate (the OHIO Gate).

Free Park-and-Ride Shuttle Hours
Monday - Friday – 10 a.m. – Midnight
Saturday and Sunday* (except Sunday, Aug. 3) - 9 a.m. – Midnight
Sunday, Aug. 3* – 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Pet Policy

Pets are not permitted on the grounds during the Fair with the exception of service dogs or animals approved as part of an exhibition or competition (such as livestock and 4-H events). Service animals are those that have been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. Patrons attempting to bring non-service animals into the Fair, including emotional support, comfort, therapy, companion, and all other animals not included in the scope of service animals, will be asked to remove those animals from the Fair for the safety of our guests and the pets. Service animal relief areas with waste receptacles will be available on the Rhodes Center Lawn, in Central Park, and in Natural Resources Park.

Shuttles

Parking Shuttles

Free O'Reilly Auto Parts Parking Shuttles powered by SuperStart Batteries are available in the general parking lots, which are accessible from I-71 at the 17th Avenue exit and the Hudson Street exit at Silver Drive. Ride the complimentary shuttles to and from the main entrance gate and your vehicle.

On-Grounds Shuttles

Our complimentary shuttle makes frequent stops approximately every 20 minutes at pre-determined locations around the perimeter of the grounds as listed on the map.

Water Bottle Refill Stations

Water bottle refill stations are available for the convenience of our guests in the following locations: Water bottle refill stations can be found in the Ag-Pro Companies Taft Coliseum, Bricker MarketPlace Building, Lausche Youth Exploration Space presented by the Ohio Soybean Council, Kasich Hall, Rhodes Center, WCOL Celeste Center, Voinovich Livestock & Trade Center presented by Ag Pro Companies, and Natural Resources Park.

Local visitors

Those visiting the Ohio Expo Center from within Columbus may also reach the facility by taking North Fourth Avenue (from the south) or Summit Street (from the north) to 17th or 11th Avenues. Signs and parking attendants will direct guests to the proper parking areas. Please visit Paving the Way for the latest on road construction in our area.

We look forward to seeing you at the Ohio Expo Center & State Fair!