Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) charges between $20 and $44 per day for on-site parking depending on where you park and which terminal you're flying from. Off-site lots start around $6 per day. The single most important thing most DTW parking guides skip: this airport has two terminals that are not connected inside security, separated by a mile of road, and each terminal has its own parking structure. If you park at the wrong one, you're taking a shuttle bus between terminals - adding 15-20 minutes to your trip before you even get to the ticket counter.
This page tells you which lot belongs to which terminal, what each one actually costs, and when you should skip parking entirely.
| Your Airline | Your Terminal | Park Here | Long-Term Daily Rate | Walk to Terminal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta, Aeromexico, Air France, KLM, Korean Air, WestJet | McNamara Terminal | McNamara Parking Garage | $32/day | Skybridge, 3-5 min |
| Southwest, Spirit, American, United, JetBlue, Frontier, Allegiant | North Terminal (Evans) | Big Blue Deck | $23/day | Skybridge, 2-4 min |
| Any airline, budget priority | Either terminal | Green Lots 1 & 2 | $20/day | Shuttle, 10-15 min |
| Any airline, max savings | Either terminal | Off-site (US Park, Airlines Parking, etc.) | $6-14/day | Shuttle, 5-15 min |
Rates from Wayne County Airport Authority (metroairport.com). Rates are subject to change without notice.
This table is the starting point. Your airline determines your terminal. Your terminal determines which garage puts you on a skybridge straight to check-in versus which one puts you on a shuttle bus. Get this wrong and you'll feel it.
Directly connected to McNamara Terminal via an enclosed skybridge on Level 6. Covered, multi-level, climate-controlled. This is where you park if you're flying Delta or any Delta partner.
Short-term (pickup/drop-off):
Long-term:
Valet (McNamara only):
Valet is only available at McNamara Terminal. It is not offered at the North Terminal.
Height limit: 7'0" for most levels. Van-accessible spaces on designated areas for vehicles up to 8'2". Oversized vehicles (over 7') cannot park here - use the Green Lots.
Connected to the North Terminal (Evans Terminal) via a pedestrian bridge on Level 4. Covered, multi-level. This is where you park if you're flying Southwest, Spirit, American, United, or any non-Delta carrier.
Short-term:
Long-term:
Height limit: 7'0" for most levels. Oversize parking on Level 7. Van-accessible spaces up to 8'2".
Uncovered surface lots located east of the Big Blue Deck. Flat daily rate, no hourly option. Free courtesy shuttle runs every 10 minutes with stops at the North Terminal, McNamara Terminal, and the Westin Hotel.
Rate: $20/day flat
No height restrictions. This is where trucks, SUVs, and vehicles over 7' must go if parking on-airport.
The trade-off: You're adding 10-15 minutes each direction for the shuttle. On a 5-day trip, you save $15-60 over the garages. On a 7-day trip, the savings are $21-84. For most travelers staying 4+ days, the shuttle time is worth the discount - especially for families who don't want to wrangle luggage through a parking garage.
DTW's two terminals are not connected inside security. They sit on opposite ends of the airport property, separated by John Dingell Drive. If you need to transfer between them - because you parked at the wrong garage, booked a connecting flight on a different alliance, or need to meet someone at the other terminal - here are your options:
Free inter-terminal shuttle: Departs every 10 minutes from the Ground Transportation Center at each terminal. Travel time: approximately 10-15 minutes including the wait and walk.
Rideshare or taxi: Functional but unnecessary and expensive for a 1-mile ride.
Driving between garages: You would need to exit your parking structure, drive on the airport road, re-enter the other garage, and pay again. Don't do this.
The rule: Check your airline's terminal before you drive to the airport. Delta and all Delta partners (Aeromexico, Air France, KLM, Korean Air, WestJet) operate from McNamara. Every other airline operates from the North Terminal (Evans). Some airlines - particularly codeshare partners - can be confusing. Confirm on the DTW website or your airline's app within 24 hours of departure.
On-site parking at DTW is expensive by any measure. Even the cheapest on-airport option (Green Lots at $20/day) runs $140 for a week. Off-site lots cut that by 50-70%.
| Off-Site Lot | Daily Rate | Distance from DTW | Shuttle | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Park | ~$6/day | 2.6 miles | On-demand, 24/7, 30 shuttles | Fenced, gated, 24-hr attendants |
| Airlines Parking | ~$6.50/day | 1.5 miles (off I-94) | On-demand, 24/7, ~5 min | Locked perimeter fence |
| Qwik Park | ~$14/day (online rate) | ~2 miles | Free shuttle | Online booking discount |
| Park N Go | ~$12/day | Near airport | Free shuttle, valet-style | 24/7 staff |
| Fast Lane Parking | ~$15/day (~$102/week) | Near airport | Free shuttle | Car wash and car care available |
| Valet Connections | ~$15/day (~$102/week) | Near airport | Free shuttle | Valet service included |
Off-site rates change frequently. Book online for best pricing. Rates shown are approximate based on aggregator data.
The off-site math: A 7-day trip in the McNamara Garage costs $224. The same trip at US Park costs roughly $42. That's $182 saved - more than enough to cover a nice dinner when you land. Even against the Green Lots ($140/week), off-site saves about $100.
Who should still park on-site: If you have a tight connection, arrive less than 90 minutes before departure, or travel with mobility constraints, the skybridge access from the McNamara Garage or Big Blue Deck is worth the premium. No shuttle wait, no weather exposure, no uncertainty.
Rideshare pickup at DTW is inside the parking structures - not at curbside. This trips up first-timers.
McNamara Terminal pickup: Cross the Skybridge to the Ground Transportation Center, take the elevator down to Level 4 of the McNamara Parking Garage. That's the rideshare staging area.
North Terminal pickup: Cross the Skybridge into the Big Blue Deck, continue through the sliding glass doors to Level 1. That's the staging area.
Uber to downtown Detroit: Average fare about $52, average ride time about 28 minutes. Lyft charges a $5 surcharge for DTW airport trips.
Here's the math on rideshare vs. parking:
| Scenario | On-Site Cost (cheapest) | Off-Site Cost | Rideshare Round-Trip (est.) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-day trip, live 20 min from DTW | $60-96 | $18-42 | $50-80 | Off-site parking |
| 5-day trip, live 20 min from DTW | $100-160 | $30-70 | $50-80 | Rideshare (solo) |
| 7-day trip, live 20 min from DTW | $140-224 | $42-98 | $50-80 | Rideshare (solo) |
| 7-day trip, live 45 min from DTW | $140-224 | $42-98 | $100-180 | Off-site parking |
| 7-day trip, 2+ travelers sharing car | $140-224 | $42-98 | $100-180 | Off-site parking |
Rideshare estimates based on typical UberX pricing. Actual fares depend on time of day, surge pricing, and distance.
The break-even: For solo travelers living within 25 minutes of DTW, rideshare beats on-site parking at roughly the 4-day mark and beats off-site parking at roughly the 7-10 day mark. If two or more people are sharing a car, parking almost always wins because the cost doesn't double.
Late-night warning: DTW rideshare availability drops significantly between midnight and 5 AM. If you're landing on a red-eye, you may face 15-20 minute waits or surge pricing. For late arrivals, having your own car in the garage eliminates the uncertainty.
McNamara Terminal (Concourses A, B, C - 121 gates) Delta Air Lines, Delta Connection, Aeromexico, Air France, KLM, Korean Air, WestJet
North Terminal / Evans Terminal (Concourse D - 29 gates) Southwest, Spirit, American, United, JetBlue, Frontier, Allegiant, Sun Country, Breeze, and other non-SkyTeam carriers.
Why this matters for parking: McNamara passengers need the McNamara Garage for skybridge access. North Terminal passengers need the Big Blue Deck. The Green Lots shuttle serves both, but adds time. Off-site shuttles also serve both terminals.
If you're flying Spirit or Frontier on a budget trip, the idea of spending $140-224 on a week of on-site parking for a $99 flight is backwards. Off-site lots at $6-7/day or a rideshare make more sense than the garage.
If you're traveling during Thanksgiving, Christmas, or spring break, the Green Lots fill up. Off-site lots sell out. Book parking in advance - either on-site through DTW's website or off-site through an aggregator. Showing up day-of during peak travel with no reservation is a gamble.
If you drive a truck, van, or vehicle over 7 feet tall, both the McNamara Garage and Big Blue Deck will turn you away at the height restriction barrier. The Green Lots are your only on-airport option. Off-site surface lots have no height restrictions.
If you need to switch terminals after parking, budget an extra 20-25 minutes. The inter-terminal shuttle is free but not instant. This matters for tight connections on separate tickets or if you're meeting someone at the other terminal.
Most travelers walk outside to curbside expecting their Uber or Lyft driver. At DTW, rideshare pickup is inside the parking structures - Level 4 of the McNamara Garage or Level 1 of the Big Blue Deck. If you're standing outside at the curb refreshing your app, your driver is inside the building waiting for you.
The signage has improved, but if it's your first time at DTW, know this before you land. It saves 10+ minutes of confusion.
EV charging: 16 stations total across the McNamara and Big Blue Deck long-term sections. No additional charge beyond standard parking rates. Also available at the South Cell Phone Lot.
Free motorcycle parking: Inside the McNamara Garage, Level 2, near the international arrivals entrance. No charge. This is the only designated motorcycle parking area at DTW.
Free lot near both terminals. You must remain with your vehicle. Use this instead of circling the terminal or burning short-term parking fees. When your passenger texts that they have bags, you're 2-3 minutes from curbside pickup.
| Resource | Contact |
|---|---|
| DTW 24-Hour Parking Hotline | (800) 642-1978 |
| DTW General Information | (734) 247-7678 |
| SMART Bus (Route 261 to downtown) | (866) 962-5515 |
Call the parking hotline for real-time lot availability before you drive to the airport. During holidays and peak travel, this one call can save you from circling full garages.
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is located at 11050 Rogell Drive, Detroit, MI 48242, approximately 20 miles southwest of downtown Detroit off I-94 and I-275. DTW is a major Delta Air Lines hub, serves over 36 million passengers annually, and is the 24th busiest airport in the world. The airport has 147 gates across two terminals and six runways.
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