Driving in Columbus can be an expensive activity. Parking prices for sure don’t help. With these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to find a spot or two in Columbus.
To find those free street parking spots, here is what you need:
- An understanding of where those spots exist. (Check out this free map!)
- Familiarity with parking rules in Columbus so you’ll know that free spot is actually free.
Map of Free Parking
Most of the spots in Downtown Columbus are metered. But some are free. To locate them you can use the SpotAngels map before navigating to your desired area. The map updates in real-time, so simply type in the address you’re parking near, the time you expect to be there, and your duration. The spots where you can legally park will appear on the map along with their prices. The green spots are the ones that are free charge!
Pro tip: Some of the metered spots (in blue) might be free of charge as well if you happen to park outside of the metered hours – mostly Monday to Saturday 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM 😉
Columbus Parking Rules:
Columbus has some generous parking rules on weekends 🙂 Most of the metered spots are free of charge on Sunday. Parking is free on during Holidays! Here they are:
| Start Date | Parking Holiday | End Date |
| 2026-01-01 | New Year's Day | 2026-01-01 |
| 2026-01-19 | Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | 2026-01-19 |
| 2026-02-16 | Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day) | 2026-02-16 |
| 2026-05-25 | Memorial Day | 2026-05-25 |
| 2026-07-03 | Independence Day | 2026-07-04 |
| 2026-09-07 | Labor Day | 2026-09-07 |
| 2026-11-11 | Veterans day | 2026-11-11 |
| 2026-11-26 | Thanksgiving Day | 2026-11-26 |
| 2026-12-25 | Christmas Day | 2026-12-25 |
Here are some quick tips for finding free parking in Columbus:
- Residential Streets: Look for free parking in quieter neighborhoods away from downtown.
- Public Parks: Areas like Goodale Park or Franklin Park may have free parking spots.
- After Hours: Metered parking is usually free after 6 p.m. and on weekends.
- Apps: Use parking apps like SpotAngels to find free spots.
- Nearby Areas: Check surrounding areas like Victorian Village or Short North for free parking.
Always check for any time limits or restrictions!
To know which specific regulations are suspended on these days and find parking on the go, download the award-winning SpotAngels app. It is free 😉
2 Comments
Parking is not free on Saturdays
Hey Portis, thanks for the comment. Would you mind sending is an email at support@spotangels.com if you think the data is wrong? Drivers like you and I contribute to the app and update parking data.