8/9/25

Your Ultimate Guide to Conquering USC Parking

So, you’re headed to the University of Southern California. Awesome! Whether you're a freshman starting your journey, a returning student, a faculty member, or just visiting for a tour or a big game, one of the first things you'll realize is that figuring out parking can be a bit of a… situation. Honestly, with around 44,000 students, plus faculty, staff, & visitors all buzzing around, it's no wonder that finding a spot for your car can feel like its own full-time course.
But don't sweat it. I'm here to break it all down for you. Think of me as your friendly, knowledgeable guide to all things USC parking. We’ll cover everything from the nitty-gritty of permits to the secrets of game day parking & even some pretty sweet alternatives that might make you want to leave your car at home altogether.

The Lay of the Land: On-Campus Parking Structures

First things first, let's talk about where you can park on campus. USC has a bunch of parking structures & lots scattered around both the University Park Campus (UPC) & the Health Sciences Campus (HSC). They're mostly named after the streets they’re on, which makes things a little easier to remember.
Some of the big names you'll hear tossed around are:
  • Downey Way Structure
  • Jefferson Boulevard Structure
  • Royal Street Structure
  • McCarthy Way Structure
  • Flower Street Structure
  • Figueroa Street Structure
  • Grand Avenue Structure
  • Shrine Structure
Most of these structures are for daily parking, hourly parking, & of course, for those who have a coveted parking permit. Just a heads-up, many of these spots have reserved spaces, so always be on the lookout for signs to avoid getting a ticket or, even worse, towed. Your permit will tell you exactly where you're allowed to park, so be sure to read it carefully.

The Coveted Prize: USC Parking Permits

If you’re going to be on campus regularly, a parking permit is pretty much the golden ticket. It takes the daily stress out of hunting for a spot. But, as you can probably guess, they're in high demand.

For Students & Faculty: How to Get a Permit

Getting your hands on a permit is all done online through the USC Transportation portal. You can log in (or create an account), & from there, you can see what permits are available for direct sale. You can pay with a credit card, & faculty/staff can even use pre-tax payroll deduction. Students have the option to transfer the charges to their university fee bill.
Now, here's the thing. For the most popular, high-demand parking structures, you can’t just buy a permit outright. You have to enter a lottery-waitlist. This is usually for the most conveniently located garages. The online lottery entry period for the fall semester typically happens in May. If you win, you get an email notification, but remember, winning the lottery doesn’t mean you get free parking—it means you’ve won the opportunity to buy a permit for that prime location. So, it’s ALWAYS a good idea to have a backup plan in case you don’t get your first choice.
Starting July 1, 2025, USC Transportation is going paperless, which is pretty cool. Instead of a physical hangtag or sticker, your vehicle's license plate will be your permit.

Permit Tiers & Costs

The cost of a permit depends on the location. USC has different tiers, like "Gold" & "Cardinal," which correspond to different parking structures & lots. As of the 2025-2026 academic year, you can expect to pay around $585 per semester for a UPC Gold permit, which includes structures like Downey, Jefferson, & Royal. A UPC Cardinal permit, for places like the Grand Avenue Structure, is a bit less, at around $450 per semester. There are also options for carpool permits which come at a reduced rate. And don't forget, these rates include a 10% City of Los Angeles Parking Occupancy Tax.
For faculty & staff, there are also monthly rates & flexible schedule permits for those who are only on campus a couple of days a week.

Just Visiting? Daily & Hourly Parking Explained

If you're just on campus for a day or a few hours, you've got options too. Gone are the days of scrambling for quarters for a meter. USC has modernized its short-term parking with two main systems:
  • Text2Park (T2P): This is super convenient. You just park your car, find the location code (usually by the elevators or stairs), & text it to 25023. You’ll then get a link to enter your license plate & payment info.
  • Pay-By-Plate (PBP): These are kiosks located in the parking areas where you can enter your license plate number & pay with a credit card.
The daily rate for most campus structures is around $20. Hourly rates vary, but it's important to know that you can't park in any space marked "RESERVED." Stick to the normal, unreserved spots.
Also, a word to the wise: USC Transportation doesn't offer refunds for partial use. So if you pay for a full day & only stay for a couple of hours, you won't get money back.

The Elephant in the Room: Game Day Parking

Attending a USC football game at the Coliseum is an unforgettable experience. The parking, however, can be a bit of a nightmare if you're not prepared. Here’s the inside scoop.
On game days, parking is a whole different ball game (pun intended). Many of the lots in Exposition Park are by permit only, & there are no cash lots. Your best bet is to park on the USC campus & take the short walk over to the Coliseum. On-campus parking for games is typically $40-$50 per vehicle & is sold on a first-come, first-served basis. The lots usually open six hours before kickoff.
Many of the campus structures use the Text2Park system on game days as well, & all campus lots are now cashless. You can also sometimes pre-purchase parking online through services like ParkWhiz for certain structures.
Honestly, the best advice for game day is to take public transportation if you can. The Metro E Line (formerly the Expo Line) has two stops right next to the Coliseum (Expo Park/USC & Expo/Vermont), which makes getting there & back a breeze. You’ll save yourself a massive headache dealing with traffic & finding a spot.

Thinking Outside the (Parking) Box: Alternatives to Driving

Let's be real, dealing with parking every day can be a drain on your time & your wallet. The good news is, USC has a bunch of great alternatives that can make getting to campus a whole lot easier.

USC Transportation Services

USC Transportation offers a fantastic network of free buses for students, staff, & even university guests. These buses have routes all over the main campus, as well as to the Health Sciences Campus, Union Station, & other key locations. You can track the buses online, so you know exactly when the next one is coming.

Public Transportation

USC is really well-connected to the rest of Los Angeles through public transit. The university partners with the city to offer students & staff discounted passes for Metro, Metrolink, & LADOT services. As I mentioned, the Metro E Line is a game-changer for getting to campus. There are also 11 LADOT bus routes that serve the USC area.

Ridesharing & Carpooling

USC also has a carpool program that offers discounted permits for those who ride together. You need at least two people per vehicle to qualify.
And for those late nights at the library or after an evening class, the USC Rides Program, in partnership with Lyft, is a lifesaver. It provides students, faculty, & staff with limited free Lyft rides within a certain area around campus from 6 pm to 2 am daily.

Finding a Better Spot with Prked

Here’s a little insider tip for you. Sometimes the best parking isn’t in a massive structure, but in someone’s driveway. This is where a service like Prked comes in. It’s a pretty cool platform that connects people who need parking with homeowners in the area who have extra space in their driveways or garages. If you're struggling to find a convenient & affordable spot, especially if you're a commuter or live just off-campus, it's definitely worth checking out. You can often find a reserved spot that's closer to your classes & more affordable than the daily rates in the big garages. It’s a great way to take the stress out of your daily parking hunt.

A Few Extra Tips from an Insider

  • Street Parking: You might be tempted to try your luck with street parking. While you can sometimes find metered spots on major streets like Figueroa or in the surrounding neighborhoods, be VERY careful. Read the signs for time limits, street cleaning days, & other restrictions. Tickets are expensive, & you don’t want to deal with that hassle.
  • Accessible Parking: USC provides ADA-accessible parking spaces. You'll still need to have a USC parking permit or a daily pass in addition to your state-issued ADA placard to park in most of the garages & lots. USC also offers a service called DART, which provides free rides around the University Park campus for those with mobility issues.
  • Be Early: Whether you have a permit or you're paying for a daily spot, the early bird gets the worm. The garages fill up fast, especially mid-morning.
  • Download the Apps: Make your life easier by downloading the USC Transportation app to track buses & the Parkmobile app if you plan on using that service.
Navigating USC parking can be a challenge, but with a little planning & knowledge, you can totally master it. I hope this guide was helpful & gives you a good head start on figuring out your campus transportation. Let me know what you think, & Fight On!
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