Directions / Parking

To get from East I-235 to the Iowa Events Center parking lot using Exit 8A to 3rd Street, follow these directions:

1. Take Exit 8A: Follow I-235 West into downtown Des Moines and take Exit 8A
2. Merge onto 3rd Street: Stay in the right lane and merge onto 3rd Street
3. Turn Right into the Parking Lot: Merge to the right lane and turn right into the Iowa Events Center parking lot. Additional street and ramp parking are available within walking distance of our complex.

To get from East I-235 to the Iowa Events Center parking lot using Exit 8A to 5th Ave, follow these directions:

1. Take Exit 8A: Follow I-235 West into downtown Des Moines and take Exit 8A
2. Merge onto 5th Ave: After the exit, merge onto 5th Ave heading south.
3. Turn Left into the Parking Lot: Turn left into the Iowa Events Center parking lot. Additional street and ramp parking are available within walking distance of our complex.

To get from East I-235 to the Iowa Events Center parking lot using Exit 8A to 7th Street, follow these directions:

1. Take Exit 8A: Follow I-235 West into downtown Des Moines and take Exit 8A
2. Merge onto 7th Street: After the exit, merge onto 7th Street heading south.
3. Turn Left onto Crocker Street: When you reach Crocker Street, turn left.
4. Turn Left onto 5th Ave: When you reach 5th Ave, turn left. 
5. Turn Right into the Parking Lot: Turn right into the Iowa Events Center parking lot. Additional street and ramp parking are available within walking distance of our complex.

To get from West I-235 to the Iowa Events Center parking lot using Exit 8A to 7th Street, follow these directions:

1. Take Exit 8A: Follow I-235 East into downtown Des Moines and take Exit 8A
2. Merge onto 7th Street: After the exit, turn right onto 7th Street heading south.
3. Turn Left onto Crocker Street: When you reach Crocker Street, turn left.
4. Turn Left onto 5th Ave: When you reach 5th Ave, turn left. 
5. Turn Right into the Parking Lot: Turn right into the Iowa Events Center parking lot. Additional street and ramp parking are available within walking distance of our complex.

To get from West I-235 to the Iowa Events Center parking lot using Exit 8A to 5th Ave, follow these directions:

1. Take Exit 8A: Follow I-235 East into downtown Des Moines and take Exit 8A
2. Merge onto 5th Ave: After the exit, take a right onto 5th Ave heading south.
3. Turn Left into the Parking Lot: Turn left into the Iowa Events Center parking lot. Additional street and ramp parking are available within walking distance of our complex.

To get from West I-235 to the Iowa Events Center parking lot using Exit 8A to 3rd Street, follow these directions:

1. Take Exit 8A: Follow I-235 East into downtown Des Moines and take Exit 8A
2. Merge onto 3rd Street: After the exit, take a right onto 3rd Street heading south
3. Turn Right into the Parking Lot: Merge to the right lane and turn right into the Iowa Events Center parking lot. Additional street and ramp parking are available within walking distance of our complex.

• Parking is available north of the Iowa Events Center with entrances off of the following streets:
  • 3rd Street
  • 5th Avenue
• The Iowa Events Center surface parking lots offer the closest and most convenient access to the facility, and easy access to I-235 and other major routes after the event. ADA Accessible parking is available at the Iowa Events Center by entering the lot south of Crocker Street, next to Community Choice Convention Center.
• Cost: As of July 1, 2023, our prices will increase to $12 for cars and trucks, $24 for large trucks (duallys and snow blades) and $48 for RVs and Buses.
• NOTE: There is NO overnight parking available in Iowa Events Center lots. Vehicles left overnight will be towed.

Street Parking Downtown

• Monday through Saturday pay meters from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
• Rates range from $0.25 to $1.25 per hour 
• Coins and credit cards are acceptable forms of payment at all parking pay stations.
• Paying for parking through your mobile device by downloading the ParkDSM app through ParkMobile. If you already have a ParkMobile app affiliated with another city, that app will also work in the city of Des Moines to pay for parking.

Parking Garages

• There are eight city-owned parking garages
• Monday through Saturday the rate is $1 per hour with a $10 max per day
• Special event rates for downtown events, range from $5 or $10. Be sure to look for signs at the entrance to a garage. 
• Downtown Des Moines Parking Map

Three entrances are accessible to Wells Fargo Arena:

• South Entrance (corner of 3rd and Center): This entrance includes the ticket office, where WILL CALL is located.
• North Entrance (corner of 3rd and Crocker): There are two separate entrances here, including a general public entrance and VIP entrance for suite holders, club seats, and loge boxes.
• Skywalk Entrance: Easiest entrance for people who park in a city parking garage. Click here for directions. 

CLICK HERE for directions on how to access the Iowa Events Center from the south through the skywalk.