Directions / Parking

Follow I-235 West into downtown Des Moines and take the 3rd Street exit to the Iowa Events Center. Parking is available on-site, with additional street and ramp parking within walking distance of our complex.

Merge onto the I-235 East exit and travel east towards downtown Des Moines. Take the downtown exit and proceed to the 3rd Street exit. Parking is available on-site, with additional street and ramp parking within walking distance of our complex.

Headed west on I-80, take the I-235 West exit and continue towards downtown Des Moines. Take the 3rd Street exit (Downtown Des Moines) and go south to the Iowa Events Center complex. Parking is available on-site, with additional street and ramp parking within walking distance of our complex.

Headed east on I-80, take the I-235 East exit and continue towards downtown Des Moines. Take the Iowa Events Center exit (3rd Street) and turn right. Parking is available on-site, with additional street and ramp parking within walking distance of our complex.

• Parking is available north of the Iowa Events Center with entrances off of the following streets:
  • 3rd Street
  • 5th Avenue
• The Iowa Events Center surface parking lots offer the closest and most convenient access to the facility, and easy access to I-235 and other major routes after the event. ADA Accessible parking is available at the Iowa Events Center by entering the lot south of Crocker Street, next to Community Choice Convention Center.
• Cost: As of July 1, 2023, our prices will increase to $12 for cars and trucks, $24 for large trucks (duallys and snow blades) and $48 for RVs and Buses.
• Click here to pre-pay and reserve your parking spot for an upcoming event with ParkMobile
• NOTE: There is NO overnight parking available in Iowa Events Center lots. Vehicles left overnight will be towed.

Don’t head to an event without knowing where you’re going to park! Reserving event parking with ParkMobile provides patrons an opportunity to pre-pay for parking withinin the Iowa Events Center parking lots. Avoid the parking hassle and arrive with a guaranteed spot waiting for you. Click here to reserve your spot now. Reserved parking sales end at 7pm the evening prior to the event. 

Street Parking Downtown

• Street parking is available throughout downtown with the convenience of the ParkDSM mobile parking app. Pay attention to the location and rates as many spots have different time limits and parking restrictions during certain times. Click here for more information about ParkDSM, powered by ParkMobile.
• Typically, no parking between 4:00-6:00 a.m.

Parking Garages

• City parking garages are located throughout downtown with convenient skywalk access to the Iowa Events Center. Payment for city garages is collected each time you enter the garage. The City of Des Moines recently completed a downtown parking signage system to give up to the minute details on where parking is available in the garages.
• The cost varies depending on the garage.

Three entrances are accessible to Wells Fargo Arena:

• South Entrance (corner of 3rd and Center): This entrance includes the ticket office, where WILL CALL is located.
• North Entrance (corner of 3rd and Crocker): There are two separate entrances here, including a general public entrance and VIP entrance for suite holders, club seats, and loge boxes.
• Skywalk Entrance: Easiest entrance for people who park in a city parking garage. Click here for directions. 

CLICK HERE for directions on how to access the Iowa Events Center from the south through the skywalk.