Chicago Half Marathon parking requires a plan, and if you wait until race morning to figure it out, you’re already behind. The Life Time Chicago Half Marathon & 5K takes place on September 27, 2026, starting and finishing in historic Jackson Park on Chicago’s South Side. Lake Shore Drive closes completely at 6:00 a.m., and race organizers are clear: arrive early or risk missing your start.
Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026
Start/Finish: Jackson Park, South Side — near the Museum of Science and Industry
Lake Shore Drive closes: 6:00 a.m. · Last shuttle arrival: 6:00 a.m.
If driving yourself: Arrive no later than 5:45 a.m.
This is not a downtown race. Jackson Park is on the South Side, which changes your parking and transit strategy significantly compared to a Grant Park event. Race organizers strongly recommend taking the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94), not Lake Shore Drive — it will be closed by the time you arrive.
Race Basics: Where the Half Marathon Starts and Ends
The Life Time Chicago Half Marathon starts and finishes in Jackson Park, just south of the Museum of Science and Industry. The course heads north along a closed DuSable Lake Shore Drive, giving runners views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline before looping back through Hyde Park and Kenwood to the finish.
Parking Near the Chicago Half Marathon
Do not follow Google Maps or Apple Maps if they route you via Lake Shore Drive — it will be closed by the time you arrive. The closest parking is at the Museum of Science and Industry lots on 57th Street, within easy walking distance of the Jackson Park start line. These fill up fast on race morning, so book ahead rather than counting on a walk-up spot.
Road Closures on Race Day
Lake Shore Drive closes completely between 31st and 67th Streets at 6:00 a.m. and remains closed until runners have cleared the course. This affects anyone trying to approach Jackson Park from the north or along the lakefront.
- Your route in: Take I-90/94 (Dan Ryan) south and exit toward 57th Street, then head east toward Jackson Park and the Museum of Science and Industry
- Avoid Lake Shore Drive entirely on race morning
- Allow at least 30 extra minutes for race day traffic
The Easiest Way to Get There: Shuttles and CTA
Official race shuttles are the lowest-stress option. Shuttles depart from two locations: Millennium Park (corner of Randolph & Michigan Ave) and the CTA Belmont L Station (950 West Belmont Ave). The last shuttle departs at a time that gets you to Jackson Park by 6:00 a.m. You’ll need a digital pass sent to your email to board the return shuttle, which begins running at 9:45 a.m. The last return shuttle leaves at 12:00 p.m. sharp.
By CTA: Take the Metra Electric Line to the 59th Street/University of Chicago station, which puts you a short walk from Jackson Park — a solid option if you’re coming from downtown.
Spectator Guide: Where to Watch
Because the course runs along a closed Lake Shore Drive and through South Side neighborhoods, spectator access is more limited than a downtown race. Best spots:
| Location | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Jackson Park start/finish area | Cheer at the beginning and be back for the finish |
| Hyde Park and Kenwood | Accessible by car or CTA along the return portion of the course |
| Museum of Science and Industry area | Good viewing near the finish |
If you’re driving between spectator spots, book a central parking location ahead of time and plan your route around the Lake Shore Drive closure.
Two weeks before the full marathon. The Life Time Chicago Half Marathon falls just two weeks before the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 11. Many runners use the half as a tune-up race before the full 26.2. If that’s your plan, check out our full Chicago Marathon parking and race day guide to get both events locked in.
Since the race starts on the South Side, staying near a Red Line or Metra Electric stop makes race morning easier. The South Loop and Hyde Park both put you on a direct line to Jackson Park without needing to drive at all.
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- Driving yourself I-90/94 Dan Ryan to 57th St — arrive by 5:45 a.m.
- Closest parking Museum of Science and Industry lots — book ahead
- Lowest stress option Official shuttle from Millennium Park or Belmont L Station
- From downtown via transit Metra Electric Line to 59th St/University of Chicago
- Spectating Jackson Park, Hyde Park, or Kenwood along the course
- Return shuttle window 9:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. — last one sharp
- Running the full marathon too See our Chicago Marathon parking guide
Plan ahead, arrive early, and enjoy the race. Jackson Park’s South Side location means the usual downtown parking playbook doesn’t apply here — the Dan Ryan and the shuttle system are your friends.