Travel Planning Tips
Parking
1. Prepaid parking passes for all vehicles (except trailers) are available through registration. Passes will provide a parking space in the same lot or garage with in and out privileges for the entire convention and cost $30-75.
2. Participants staying in downtown hotels will have the option to use hotel parking for their vehicles. Contact your 
hotel to make arrangements. The majority of downtown hotels do not accommodate buses. Please plan accordingly. At this time, parking costs for downtown hotels are $18-28 per day.
3. Open parking in the downtown area is available on a first come first served basis. Costs range from $5-25 per entry with no in and out privileges. Please note that access to these spaces is not guaranteed. You will find abundant and affordable parking options in downtown Indianapolis. For more information on convention parking, visit http://www.indydt.com/parking.cfm.
4. Trailer parking will be in the Fern Marshalling yard. To obtain directions and parking passes for trailers, contact Mandy Hazlett, mhazlett@ffa.org.
5. For specific parking pass information, maps and driving directions to parking, please refer to online registration.
Please Note: Bus parking lots will not allow vans, automobiles or pick-up truck parking. Parking facilities for these vehicles will not accommodate mini, charter or school buses.
Fairgrounds Driving Directions
The Indiana State Fairgrounds (ISF) is located on the corner of East 38th Street and Fall Creek Parkway in Indianapolis. The address for ISF is 1202 E. 38th St., Indianapolis.
I-65 North (from Louisville, Ky. Columbus, Ind.)
Take I-65 North to I-70 East to Keystone Avenue (exit #85B). Take Keystone Avenue north to 38th Street. Turn left (west) on 38th Street.
I-65 South (from Chicago, Ill. Lafayette, Ind.)
Take I-65 South to the 38th Street exit. Continue east to the fairgrounds entrance.
I-70 East (from St. Louis, Mo.Terre Haute, Ind.)
Take I-70 East to Keystone Avenue (exit #85B). Take Keystone Avenue north to 38th Street. Turn left (west) on 38th Street.
I-70 West (from Columbus, Ohio Richmond, Ind.)
Take I-70 West to Keystone Avenue (exit #85B). Take Keystone Avenue north to 38th Street. Turn left (west) on 38th Street.
I-69 South (from Detroit, Mich. Fort Wayne, Ind.)
I-69 South becomes Binford Boulevard (SR37), which becomes Fall Creek Parkway. The Fairgrounds is located just north of 38th Street on Fall Creek Parkway.
I-74 West (from Cincinnati, Ohio)
Take I-74 West to I-465 North. Take I-465 North to I-70 West to Keystone Avenue (exit #85B). Take Keystone Avenue north to 38th Street. Turn left (west) on 38th Street.
From Indianapolis International Airport
Take Airport Expressway via the ramp to I-465/I-70. Take the exit to I-70 East to Keystone Avenue (exit #85B). Take Keystone Avenue north to 38th Street. Turn left (west) on 38th Street and continue to fairgrounds entrance.
From Downtown Indianapolis
Take Illinois or Meridian Street north to 38th Street. Turn right on 38th Street. The Indiana State Fairgrounds will be located on your left at the corner of 38th Street and Fall Creek Parkway. Enter the fairgrounds by turning left off of 38th Street into the 38th Street gate.
Parking at Indiana State Fairgrounds
Parking at the fairgrounds will be complimentary Tuesday, Oct. 20 to Friday, Oct. 23 during the national FFA convention. Convention participants attending the career development events or the Bulls and Broncs events will need to follow directions of parking attendants.
IndyGo Services
IndyGo has 29 fixed routes that move throughout the Indianapolis area. Coverage includes direct routes from downtown to all major shopping malls as well as many cultural destinations – examples include:
Indiana State Fairgrounds
- Routes 4 and 39 (39 is best)
IUPUI
– Red Line, 3, 10 and 37
The Red Line is a circulator that moves from the campus of IUPUI through the downtown area, including stops at various attractions, parking garages and hotels.
Castleton Mall
– Route 19
Fashion Mall
– Route 18
Glendale Mall
– Routes 17 and 19
Washington Square Mall
– Route 8
Lafayette Square Mall
– Route 38
Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
– Routes 4, 18, 28, 38, 39
Indianapolis Museum of Art
– Routes 34 and 38
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
– Route 25
National FFA Center - Trader Point Shopping
Mall – Route 37
Indianapolis International Airport
– Green Line, $7 or $3.50 for youth 18 and younger. $2 off coupon available for the full fare on ffa.org
Fixed Route is $1.75 per ride or $4 for a day pass. Youth ride for half price by presenting a valid Student ID (18 and younger).
A special thanks to Toyota for providing the National FFA Organization courtesy vehicles to use during the 82nd National FFA Convention.
Loading and Unloading Zones
Charter and Bus Load and Unload Zones
Indiana Convention Center
The National FFA Organization provides shuttles to key hotels and convention venues. These shuttles will load and unload on the south curb lane of Maryland Street between West and Capitol, on Capitol, between Maryland and the convention center plaza, and the northeast side of Lucas Oil Stadium. Only buses with proper passes may load or unload in these areas. Buses without proper passes will be ticketed or towed.
Parking will not be allowed in loading and unloading zones. Bus drivers must be present at all times. Unattended buses will be towed at owner’s expense. Drivers are expected to cooperate with and follow direction of the police department or convention staff. In some cases, bus drivers may be asked to move their buses to ensure safety and security of all convention participants.
Chapters arriving by school bus or private charter can drop off and pick up at the locations listed below.
- West curb lane of Capitol, between Washington and Maryland
- South curb lane of Maryland, east of Capitol to mall parking entrance/Hyatt skywalk
- West curb lane of Pennsylvania, between Maryland and Conseco Court
- West curb lane of Delaware between the railroad overpass and Conseco Court
Indiana State Fairgrounds
Buses entering from 38th street gate 1A: Buses will be directed to Main Street. Drop off points will be located east of the coliseum on the south curb lane of Main Street.
Buses entering from Fall Creek Parkway gate 6: Drop off and pick up is the north curb lane of Main Street, between gate 1 and the Champions Pavilion.
After unloading, all buses will be directed to parking locations or exit onto Fall Creek Parkway. After loading, all buses will exit onto Fall Creek Parkway.=
Alternative routes to reach bus parking at Lucas Oil Stadium:
***Wednesday, Oct. 21 STREET CLOSURE INFORMATION***
In preparation for the Wednesday night concert at Lucas Oil Stadium, there will be parts of Capitol Avenue closed for pedestrian traffic. Beginning at 8 p.m. Capitol Avenue will be closed for southbound traffic between Maryland Street and South Street.
Bus reroute from Downtown IndianapolisSouthbound traffic on Capitol Avenue turn left (east) on Maryland Street. Turn right (south) on Virginia Avenue. Turn right (west) on South Street and turn left (south) on Capitol Avenue.
Bus reroute from I-65, 465, or I-70Take I-70 Westbound to exit 79A, I-70/West Street. Turn right (north) on Missouri. Turn right (east) onto South Street. Turn right (south) onto Capitol Avenue.
***FFA vehicular traffic only will be allowed on South Street past Illinois Street during concert pedestrian traffic hours.***
Participants with Disabilities
Indiana Convention Center
Load and unload zone for participants with disabilities is on the west curb lane of Capitol between Washington and Maryland.
Lucas Oil Stadium
Load and unload zone for participants with disabilities is on the west curb lane of Capitol at South Street.
Conseco Fieldhouse
Load and unload zones for participants with disabilities are on Conseco Court, Delaware and Pennsylvania Streets. Conseco Court is an access street just north of Conseco Fieldhouse.
Indiana State Fairgrounds
Load and unload zone for participants with disabilities is in front of the West Pavilion. Drivers will need to notify parking attendants for access to this area.
Shuttle Service
The Career Success Tour Shuttle load and unload zone is on Capitol, between Maryland and the convention center plaza.
Environmental/Natural Resources, Forestry and Meats CDE load and unload zone is on the tarmac at the Indiana Convention Center off of Missouri.
National Days of Service will load and unload at the Westin Hotel on Monday, Oct. 19. Load and unload on both Thursday, Oct. 22 and Friday, Oct. 23 will be at Victory Field.
Hotel, Indiana State Fairgrounds and volunteer shuttles will load and unload on Maryland, north of the Indiana Convention Center.
Shuttles
Key Hotel Shuttles
Weekly passes are $25 and can be purchased during pre-registration. One time passes are $10 and have to be purchased at the on-site registration. All riders returning to their hotel must have a pass.
Schedule
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 10 a.m. - 1 a.m.
Thursday, Oct. 22, 6 a.m. - 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. - Midnight
Friday, Oct. 23, 6 a.m. - 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. - Midnight
Saturday, Oct 24, 6 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Shuttles will NOT run on Thursday and Friday during the times of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
- Shuttles riders need to be at a designated shuttle pick up point 10 minutes prior to departure time
- Shuttles will arrive at stop 1 on the hour to start the routes. Drive time between each stop is approximately 10 minutes.
- Shuttles depart the convention center to return to hotels on the hour.
- Please keep in mind that shuttle timing could be impacted by traffic and weather conditions.
Indiana State Fairgrounds Shuttles
A free shuttle between the Indiana Convention Center and the Indiana State Fairgrounds is provided for all registered convention participants. The ISF shuttle will run:
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 22, 6 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Bulls and Broncs shuttle passes, between the Indiana Convention Center and the Indiana State Fairgrounds, are available for purchase through registration for $10. These passes are valid for one round trip only. The rodeo shuttle will run:
Thursday, Oct 22, 6 - 11 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 23, 1 - 11 p.m.
Do You Need a Rental Car for the National FFA Convention?
FFA is proud to announce that Enterprise Rent-A-Car will provide a discounted rate for all attendees to the national FFA convention. Enterprise has a location onsite at the Indianapolis International Airport as well as branches throughout the United States. If you are flying in or driving from your hometown, you can use the discounted FFA number to book your rental car.
Call 1-800-Rent-A-Car (1-800-736-8222) to book your vehicle. The FFA discount number is 08A5702. Be sure to reference this discount number when booking your reservation so that you receive the discount. You may also book your rentals through www.enterprise.com. After you enter the discount number, 08A5702, you will be asked for your pin number, which is NAT. Due to the high volume of rentals Enterprise will be handling for our convention, call to make your reservations no later than Sept. 1, 2009. You may still book your rental after Sept. 1; however, availability may be limited.
*** NOTE *** This discount number does NOT guarantee the lowest rate. Please compare prices of all car companies.
Interstate Map of Indianapolis