Rochester, NY is a city that has a big technology and education presence which translates to many Fortune 500 companies being represented there. Due to this, parking can occasionally be a challenge to find. If there’s anything that frustrates us, it’s paying unnecessary money on parking – something you don’t actively enjoy. So we’ve compiled a list of our favourite free and cheap parking options in Rochester, NY.
Where to Park for Free in Rochester, NY
Free parking in Rochester, NY is extremely difficult to find. The city of Rochester mostly operates on metered street parking and has EXTREMELY restricted free parking. When driving through Rochester, NY doesn’t be surprised by the many signs detailing that in the week there are only three or so days with very specific and odd times that allow for free parking without any kind of penalty or fine by the city.
All parking is measured in walking distance from a centre point. In this case, that reference point is the Chester F. Carlson Metrocenter YMCA.
Is there free parking in Rochester, NY? You can park for free in Rochester, NY at the following locations:
- 58 Woodward St.
- 169 Delevan St. (right on the side of the bridge)
- 75 Delevan St.
- 225 Gibbs St.
| Street Name/Address | Walking distance in mins from Chester F. Carlson |
| 58 Woodward St. | 13 min. |
| 169 Delevan St. | 7 min. |
| 75 Delevan St. | 8 min. |
| 225 Gibbs St. | 7 min. |
What you Need to Know about Parking for Free in Rochester, NY
When parking for free in Rochester, NY there are some rules to keep in mind since a good amount of free and cheap parking is in residential areas:
- Respect residents and their space – they deserve it especially since your car will be in their area
- Don’t park in front of someone’s driveway – it’s rude!
- Don’t park in front of entrances and/or doorways
- Park close to the curb
- Don’t double park
- Lock your car before leaving it – peace of mind is priceless
- Look for parking signs before leaving your vehicle (some will explain the details of parking)
Cheap Street Parking in Rochester, NY
Since free parking is so rare and difficult to find in Rochester NY, it’s helpful to have a plan B. In this case, plan B is cheap street parking. Thankfully, Rochester is full of those, and even better, it’s pretty inexpensive! Simply put in as much money as you want to spend time parked. If you want to park all day, spend $20.
The benefit of street parking is that it’s often conveniently located in the heart of downtown, close to many stores and restaurants. If you’re meeting someone anywhere in the city, street parking may serve you best.
Here’s a list of metered street parking pricing:
2 mins – $0.05
3 mins – $0.10
8 mins – $0.25
15 mins – $0.50
30 mins – $1.00
1 hour – $2.00
All day – $20.00
Is there cheap street parking in Rochester, NY? You can park cheaply in Rochester NY at the following places:
- 2 Grove St.
- 100 Gibbs St.
- 57 University Ave.
- 12 Pleasant St.
- 56 Liberty Pole Way
- 72 Franklin St.
- Franklin Square
- 237 Andrews St.
- 25 Bittner St.
- Cumberland St.
| Street Name/Address | Walking distance in mins from Chester F. Carlson |
| 2 Grove St. | 2 min. |
| 100 Gibbs St. | 2 min. |
| 57 University Ave. | 5 min. |
| 12 Pleasant St. | 5 min. |
| 56 Liberty Pole Way | 6 min. |
| 72 Franklin St. | 7 min. |
| Franklin Square | 7 min. |
| 237 Andrews St. | 13 min. |
| 25 Bittner St. | 14 min. |
| Cumberland St. | 10 min. |
Cheap Lot Parking in Rochester, NY
Now, if for whatever reason both free parking and cheap metered street parking are completely full, there is a third option – cheap lot parking. The benefit of using garage or lot parking is that there’s often more parking available and it’s often more safe than street parking due to it offering protection from weather and having added security measures like guards or security cameras.
You often also can park for longer periods of time in parking lots and some offer overnight parking, which is also a bonus. However, lot and garage parking often are more expensive than street parking so keep that in mind!
Is there cheap lot parking in Rochester, NY? You can find cheap lot parking in Rochester, NY at the following locations:
- 107 State St.
- 39 N. Fitzhugh St.
- 90 N. Plymouth St.
- 28 N. Fitzhugh St.
- 52 Front St.
- 69 Andrews St.
- 130 W. Main St.
- 45 Plymouth Ave.
- 240 State St.
- 84 W. Broad St.
| Street Name/Address | Price per 2 hrs | Walking distance from Chester F. Carlson |
| 107 State St. | $3 | 18 min. |
| 39 N. Fitzhugh St. | $7 | 18 min. |
| 90 N. Plymouth St. | $3 | 20 min. |
| 28 N. Fitzhugh St. | $4 | 17 min. |
| 52 Front St. | $5 | 18 min. |
| 69 Andrews St. | $2 | 17 min. |
| 130 W. Main St. | $5 | 19 min. |
| 45 Plymouth Ave. | N/A | 19 min. |
| 240 State St. | $4 | 22 min. |
| 84 W. Broad St. | $10 | 19 min. |
Hopefully, this article was helpful for you! We understand that parking can get expensive and if it’s possible to save money with this one thing, that it can make all the difference in stress levels. Hopefully, you’re now equipped with more knowledge and can have peace of mind the next time you visit Rochester, NY!
Related Questions:
Do I have to pay the meter on holidays? No, you typically don’t have to pay for metered parking on weekends, holidays, and evenings after 6 pm.
How do you pay for parking in Rochester, NY? Paying for parking in Rochester NY is mostly by coin or credit card. Metered parking often requires either card or coins. It’s helpful to always have a stash of coins in your car or wallet to prepare for this.
How much is parking at Rochester, NY airport? Parking prices differ and depend on where in the airport you park. There are several garages and lots, each priced differently. Long-term parking at ROC Airport at the Weekly lot is $12, while it costs $16 per day on Levels 1 and 2, and $14 per day if parking on the roof.
