Directions & Parking
Commencement Parking
Commencement draws many people to the UNT campus to celebrate with graduates. Because many people will converge on campus at the same time, there will be more congestion and traffic on campus than usual prior to the first commencement ceremony at 8 a.m. Friday, Dec. 12, then all day Friday, Saturday, Dec. 13, and Sunday, Dec. 14.
Be sure to check the Clear Bag Policy before you leave home and bring only what is allowed in the venues.
Be aware: due to the TxDOT I-35 expansion project, the North Texas Boulevard exit off southbound I-35E is closed.
Follow these directions:
- Drivers who are north of UNT and traveling south on I-35 should take the West Oak Street exit and continue east on West Hickory Street after it splits from Oak Street. Turn right to travel south on North Texas Boulevard and follow directional signs and police officers’ instructions.
- Drivers who are south of UNT traveling north on I-35W should take the new Bonnie Brae Street/Airport Road (FM 1515) exit. Continue right to stay eastbound on Airport Rd, then turn left at the Bonnie Brae Street intersection to travel north on Bonnie Brae. At the I-35E intersection, turn right to travel south on the service road, then turn left on North Texas Boulevard and follow directional signs and police officers’ instructions.
Travel and Parking Tips
- Leave for campus early and expect delays: Plan ahead, know where you intend to park before you start driving to campus and allow yourself ample time to get to your destination and walk from your vehicle to your ceremony. About half of the parking spaces in the largest parking lot will require a 10-minute walk from the vehicle to the Coliseum or a six-minute walk to the Murchison Performing Arts Center.
- Carpool as much as possible: Bring the fewest vehicles necessary to get your guests to and from campus.
- Don't rely on GPS: The directions could cause you to end up in the wrong part of campus.
Guests should only use Maple Street to access the drop-off location or accessible parking in Lots 26 and 27.
Information for:
Graduates should park in the west side of Lot 20 to allow family and guests to park on the north and east sides of the lot. Once parked, leave prohibited items in your vehicle.
Guests who are north of UNT and traveling south on I-35 should take the West Oak Street exit and continue east on West Hickory Street after it splits from Oak Street. Turn right to travel south on North Texas Boulevard and follow directional signs and police officers’ instructions.
Guests who are south of UNT traveling north on I-35E should take the North Texas Boulevard exit and follow directional signs and police officers’ instructions.
Guests who are south of UNT traveling north on I-35W should take the new Bonnie Brae Street/Airport Road (FM 1515) exit. Turn left on Bonnie Brae Street then turn right on the I-35E southbound service road to reach North Texas Boulevard. Turn left on North Texas Boulevard and follow directional signs and police officers’ instructions.
Park in Lot 20, which is west of the Coliseum. Once parked, leave prohibited items in your vehicle.
Graduates should park in the west side of Lot 20 to allow family and guests to park on the north and east sides of the lot. Graduates can easily access the west side of Lot 20 by entering the lot from the I-35E service road.
Guests who are north of UNT and traveling south on I-35 should take the West Oak Street exit and continue east on West Hickory Street after it splits from Oak Street. Turn right to travel south on North Texas Boulevard and follow directional signs and police officers’ instructions.
Guests who are south of UNT traveling north on I-35E should take the North Texas Boulevard exit and follow directional signs and police officers’ instructions.
Guests who are south of UNT traveling north on I-35W should take the new Bonnie Brae Street/Airport Road (FM 1515) exit. Turn left on Bonnie Brae Street then turn right on the I-35E southbound service road to reach North Texas Boulevard. Turn left on North Texas Boulevard and follow directional signs and police officers’ instructions.
Park in Lot 20, which is west of the Coliseum. Once parked, leave prohibited items in your vehicle.
Guests who are north of UNT and traveling south on I-35 should take the West Oak Street exit and continue east on West Hickory Street after it splits from Oak Street. Turn right to travel south on North Texas Boulevard and follow directional signs and police officers’ instructions.
Guests who are south of UNT traveling north on I-35E should take the North Texas Boulevard exit and follow directional signs and police officers’ instructions.
Guests who are south of UNT traveling north on I-35W should take the new Bonnie Brae Street/Airport Road (FM 1515) exit. Turn left on Bonnie Brae Street then turn right on the I-35E southbound service road to reach North Texas Boulevard. Turn left on North Texas Boulevard and follow directional signs and police officers’ instructions.
Accessible parking will be in Lots 26 and 27 along Highland Street. Follow the signs to be directed to the first available accessible parking spaces. Accessible parking includes handicapped parking as well as parking for guests or graduates with mobility limitations or who cannot walk for 10 minutes. Parking lot attendants will not check for handicapped placards and will not turn drivers away from parking in the Accessible lot.
The drop-off point for graduates or guests is located on the east side of the Coliseum in the circle drive off Avenue D and can be reached by going east on Eagle Drive, then north on Avenue C, then west on Maple Drive.
A limited number of accessible parking spaces are available near the Murchison Performing Arts Center for guests attending ceremonies in the Murchison Performing Arts Center. Once parked, leave prohibited items in your vehicle.
For faculty and staff participating in commencement ceremonies:
- Do not use North Texas Boulevard to enter campus from the south. Access UNT from any of the access points on the north side of campus.
- Park in Lot 4.
For faculty and staff working across campus on Friday, Dec. 12:
- Do not use North Texas Boulevard to enter campus from the south. Access UNT from any of the access points on the north side of campus.
- Do not park in Lots 4, 19, 20, 26 or 27 or along Highland Street.
Be aware that there will be major congestion on I-35 near the Coliseum and Murchison Performing Arts Center throughout the day Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
See a larger, printable version of the parking map (PDF).
View a map indicating walking times from parking lots to commencement venues.