Riverfest means awesome fireworks, great music and, er, long lines of cars stuck in traffic. We're talking waiting in your car for an hour-plus before you even leave the area.
Don't end one of your last nights of summer stuck in your car. We went in search of some expert tips to avoid traffic at Riverfest.
The Enquirer spoke to a Riverfest organizer, spokespeople at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Ohio Department of Transportation. We also scoured the internet.
We came up with these five expert-curated tips ...
... If you're dead set on driving:
Arrive at just the right time
To avoid traffic congestion, you'll want to go downtown before most people do. Gates open at Yeatman's Cove at 3 p.m. But be wary. There are two rushes of traffic, one at 3 p.m., when the gates open,
and another at 6 p.m., according to Katie Walters, Riverfest executive producer. It may be best to arrive between those times.
Use OHGO to suss out heavy congestion
You're going to have to wait in traffic if you try to leave immediately after the festival. Drivers should expect to wait up to one hour after the fireworks as police work to clear the roads of pedestrians, said Jake Ryle, public information officer for Northern Kentucky at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. People on the internet have reported waiting even longer to exit parking garages.
But tools can help. Most people know about Google Maps or Waze, but have you tried OHGO? This app from the Ohio Department of Transportation gives you traffic information for Ohio freeways. You can access up-to-the-minute updates on road closures, anticipated delay times and images from live traffic cameras.
... If you're willing to make a night of it:
Take an Uber to Riverfest
One Reddit user recommends using rideshare on your way to the festival so you don't stress about parking. But there's a part 2.
Hit the bars (or hang around) after the fireworks
You'll want to stick around in the area for a while before going home. If you use rideshare immediately after the fireworks end around 10 p.m., you'll likely get stuck with a big bill thanks to surge pricing and have to wait in traffic anyway. Reddit users recommend going out to bars in the area or, if you're in Newport, catching a movie at the AMC. Plan to stick around until midnight or at least until most people leave.
... If you're flexible on where to watch:
Say "forget it" and watch from somewhere else
Listen, we wish we could share a foolproof way to avoid traffic in the up-close heart of Riverfest. But sometimes, it's just best to watch from somewhere else away from the huge crowds. Here are some other Cincinnati spots with views of the riverfront:
- Bellevue Hill Park, 2191 Ohio Ave., Clifton Heights.
- Frederick H. Alms Memorial Park, 710 Tusculum Ave., Columbia Tusculum.
- Mount Echo Park, 251 Mt. Echo Park Drive, East Price Hill.
- Olden View Park, 2610 W. Eighth St., East Price Hill.
- Eden Park Overlook, 950 Eden Park Drive, Walnut Hills.
- Devou Park, 1344 Audubon Road, Covington.
*Bonus* ... If you're not even going
Take Interstate-275
Eek! If you're not going to Riverfest, it's probably best to stay clear of the area. But if you're driving that night and can take I-275 for your route, do that. Ryle recommends taking the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana beltway to avoid delays.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 5 tips to avoid traffic at the WEBN fireworks like a pro
