Maps and Locations

For location information please check out The Official Ohio State Map

For up to date traffic and transportation information please check out Ohio State Transportation and Parking Site

Traffic and Parking

High Street and other area streets will be subject to traffic restrictions as necessary. Watch for traffic sign boards and other information!

Most parking on campus is restricted to university faculty, staff and students. Watch for officers and volunteers to help you find a legal parking space. See the Maps and Locations page where parking areas are indicated.

Public parking during the Heritage Festival is available in the university parking garages.

Pay Parking is also available at the Gateway, one block off North High at Pearl between 9th and 11th. No bills larger than $20 are accepted for payment. The parking rates are as follows:

Also, the CABS Courtesy Shuttle Bus will be running throughout the campus during the festival.

View Ohio State's interactive campus map.

If your car is towed

Cars that are illegally parked may be towed. If this happens to you, here’s what you need to do to get your car back:

Towed by the City of Columbus

Phone 614-645-6300 to verify that the car is at the city impound lot.

Bring your registration, title and photo ID to 400 W. Whittier St. (call 614-645-6300 for directions)

Be prepared to pay the following fees in cash, or by credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover)

1. $7 per day storage fee
2. $50 towing fee
3. Cost of any outstanding tickets

The impound center is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Other University Area Towing Companies

CamCar Towing, 488-2006
2360 Wood Avenue, behind the Shell station at the corner of Lane Avenue and Kenny Road. Driver’s license required. $90 for towing and $12 per day for storage. Cash or credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover).

Shamrock Towing, 882-3555
1145 Hamlet Street, south of Fifth Avenue between N. Fourth St., and Summit Ave.
Need proof of ownership (registration or title) and photo ID. $90 for towing and $12 per day for storage. Cash, check or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express).

Safety and Responsibility Tips

Your safety is important to us and we want to ensure that your visit to Columbus and the African American Heritage Festival is enjoyable. Please familiarize yourself with these safety and responsibility tips provided by the City of Columbus Division of Police.

• Stay in well-lit areas.
• Keep your car doors locked.
• Park legally. Most area lots require permits. Follow traffic control officers’ directions to legal parking. (Please see below for details on retrieving an impounded vehicle.)
• Report problems or crimes to police immediately. In an emergency, dial 9-1-1 from any phone or use the blue-light emergency phones on campus and in the neighborhood.
• Non-emergency numbers are:
  • Columbus Police: 645-4545
  • Ohio State Police: 292-2121
  • Columbus Division of Fire: 221-3132

Obey local traffic and safety laws. We want you to be safe and considerate of persons living in the area. Police will enforce all Columbus city laws, and the following actions will be strictly prohibited:

• Obstructing the view of a driver
• Sounding a horn unnecessarily
• Following or parking near an emergency or safety vehicle
• Disorderly conduct
• Misconduct at an emergency
• Violating curfew laws (those under 18 years of age may not be out between midnight and 4 a.m.)
• Having an open container of alcohol on public property
• Unlawful riding on motor vehicles (all persons must be inside the car)
• Operating a motor vehicle with loud sound amplification equipment
• Reckless operation of a motor vehicle
• Unlawful parking

Please be careful and obey the law – you’ll have more fun!

To file a police report

Columbus Division of Police

Emergency dial 9-1-1
Non-emergency dial 645-4545

Ohio State University Police

Emergency dial 9-1-1
Non-emergency dial 292-2121