What You Need to Know About Super Bowl Traffic in Glendale, AZ
We are just a few days away from Super Bowl LVII, where the Kansas City Chiefs will face off against the Philadelphia Eagles. The two teams are near mirror images of each other: both hold an impressive overall record of 16-3, accumulated 546 regular and post-season points, and finished their seasons as the top No. 1 seeds in their respective conferences.
If that wasn’t eerie enough, KC and Phili both roster 6 All-Pros, which include a Kelce brother (TE, Travis and C, Jason) and a quarterback in Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts. With much anticipation surrounding the big game and this year’s halftime show featuring Rihanna who will be breaking a 5-year-long performance hiatus, thousands are flocking to Arizona to witness the action live and in person.
If you are one of those lucky fans who will be in attendance, prepare for lane shutdowns, congested freeways, and drunk drivers. Here is what you need to know come game day, so you can maximize your Super Bowl viewing experience.
The Best Way to Get to State Farm Stadium
About Stadium Parking
Parking lots open to the public at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 12. Parking reservations will only be available to ticket holders, and tailgating will not be allowed in any NFL-managed locations. Additionally, overnight parking is not permitted, so attempting to park at the stadium the day before is not an option.
Allow for extra commute time, as traffic will be thick, and there will be multiple lane closures near the stadium around Camelback Rd. and Cardinals Way. GPS will be helpful to arrive in the general proximity of State Farm, but ensure the street signage is not overlooked. The posted signs will be the best way to navigate to the available parking lots.
Road Closures
Highway construction will come to a halt on Sunday, but there will be some freeway restrictions near the Broadway Curve of I-10. Glendale Ave. and Arizona State Route 101 are also expected to be heavily impacted.
The following roadways will be temporarily closed:
- Cardinals Way – 95th Ave. to 91st. Ave – 6:00 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, to 3:00 a.m. Monday, Feb. 13
- Montebello Ave. – 91st St. to 95th Ave. – 9:00 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, to 8:00 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 12
- Maryland Ave. – 95th Ave. to the Gray Lot Entrance – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, to 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14
- 99th Ave. to the Loop 101 HOV Ramp – 6:00 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, to 3:00 a.m. Monday, Feb. 13
- 95th Ave. – Maryland Ave. to Cardinals Dr. – Closed until 5:00 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17
- The Northbound right lane will be closed from Georiga Ave. to Cardinals Way – 7:00 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5 to 8:00 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 12th
There will be hundreds of local and federal law enforcement officers present to assist the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) with the event. They will monitor crashes, override street signals to ease the flow of traffic, and update all electronic message boards to redirect drivers.
Go Metro
Valley Metro will be adding extra train and bus routes on Sunday, as well as extending service hours to 2:00 a.m. The complete service schedule can be found here.
There are also a dozen of free park-and-ride lots with five overflow parking lots for drivers to leave their vehicles. To devise a winning game plan, schedule your route here and download the Valley Metro App to simplify the process.
Rideshares will also be operating, but anticipate longer than usual wait times. To prepare like a pro, schedule your rides ahead through Uber or Lyft.
Game Day Information
- Date: February 12, 2023
- Kickoff Time: 4:30 PM MST and 6:30 PM EST
- Location: State Farm Stadium – 1 Cardinals Drive. Glendale, AZ 85305
- Anticipated Weather Forecast: 68 degrees Fahrenheit, mostly sunny
Tips to Get Your Car Game Day Ready
Locals and out-of-state travelers should ensure their vehicles are in proper working order. The desert heat can severely impact tires and car batteries, so before heading out, do:
- Check windshield wipers
- Adjust tire pressure at the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended setting
- Confirm tire thread is in good condition
- Have the battery checked
Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk
St. Patrick’s Day. New Year’s Eve. Football Sunday. As it stands, this unofficial national holiday is one of the biggest drinking days of the year. In fact, Americans consume a whopping 325.5 million gallons of beer on Super Bowl Sunday–beer alone–not taking cocktails and other mixed drinks into account. Whether you will be in the stands, at a local sports bar, or at a party, this is a reminder to drink responsibly. Here are some statistics to keep in mind before making a regrettable decision.
Data shows that the most dangerous times to drive on Super Bowl Sunday are between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. With kickoff at 4:30 p.m., anyone on the road should remain particularly cautious and watch for reckless drivers, as there are an average of 104 fatal crashes during these hours.
It doesn’t stop there. Between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., there is another spike in fatal accidents following the game, averaging around 95 crashes in a single hour.
Former NFL tight end, Delanie Walker, has been a loyal advocate of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), following the death of his aunt and uncle who were killed by a drunk driver after watching their nephew play in Super Bowl 47 XLVII in 2012.
In 42% of crashes, drivers had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of over 0.08%; the national average was 0.091%. It is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.08% or higher, as muscle coordination becomes poor, judgment weakens, and reaction times slows.
Also important to keep in mind, the Saturday before the big game is a bigger day for crashes with 7.84% more crashes occurring than on game day.
Be a Team Player
This weekend should be a time for celebrating and watching athletes at the top of their game compete for the coveted Lombardi trophy. Don’t take an L and make a poor decision to drink and drive.
- Set a solid play call – Schedule your commute in advance by choosing a designated driver. This can be with a friend or rideshare driver.
- Play defense – If you are with someone who has been drinking, do not allow that person to get behind the wheel. Schedule a rideshare and arrange for a pickup.
- Call an audible – If you’re hosting a party where alcohol is being served, ensure all of your guests have a sober means of getting home. It may not be part of the plan, but insist that guests leave their vehicles behind and request a rideshare pickup.
- Report illegal plays – Accidents are 100% preventable. If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact local law enforcement. This could help save a life.
Alpha Accident Lawyers – Phoenix
Our personal injury law firm specializes in motor vehicle accidents caused by someone else’s negligent or reckless behavior. Whether it’s filing a car accident claim, aggressively negotiating with insurance companies, or litigating cases before a judge and jury, we utilize our experience and resources to recover maximum compensation for our clients. If you were injured in an accident, we can help. Schedule a free consultation to learn how our personal injury attorneys plan to build your winning case.
