You can no longer park a Car2Go vehicle in Seattle, as the service merged with ReachNow and subsequently ceased all North American operations in 2019. Your best alternatives for free-floating car-sharing today are services like ReachNow (now part of SHARE NOW) or Zipcar, which have their own designated parking rules. For traditional parking, Seattle uses a combination of street parking, lots, and garages, with rates and time limits varying significantly by neighborhood and time of day.
Finding a spot depends heavily on your location. Downtown and popular areas like Capitol Hill or South Lake Union have limited street parking and higher costs, while residential neighborhoods often offer more availability. Always check street signs carefully for time restrictions, street cleaning schedules, and paid parking hours to avoid tickets.
For car-sharing, you must park within the service's "Home Area." ReachNow vehicles, for example, can be parked in any legal public parking space within this zone, including paid spots (you pay the meter until the trip ends). Zipcar uses a round-trip model where you must return the car to its original parking spot.
Here’s a quick comparison of parking options in central Seattle neighborhoods:
| Parking Option | Average Cost (Per Hour) | Time Limits (Typical) | Key Considerations |
|---|
| Street Parking (Downtown) | $4 - $7 | 2-4 hours | Payment required 8 AM - 8 PM; difficult to find spots during business hours. |
| Parking Garages (Downtown) | $15 - $35 (flat rate for 2-3 hours) | Varies by garage | More reliable availability; evening and weekend rates are often cheaper. |
| Residential Zone Parking | $1 - $2 (with permit) | 2-72 hours | Requires a zone permit; designed for residents, limited visitor parking. |
| Car-Share "Home Area" | Included in rental fee | N/A | Must be a legal spot; you are responsible for any parking tickets incurred. |
| Park & Ride Lots | Free (with transit use) | 24-48 hours | Located near light rail or bus stations; ideal for commuters. |
Your safest bet is to use a parking app like PayByPhone or SpotHero to find and pay for spots in advance, saving you the hassle of driving around searching.
