
The best place to park your car to take the MAX light rail in Beaverton is at a designated Park & Ride lot. These are free, long-term parking facilities specifically designed for transit users. The most convenient station for most Beaverton residents is the Beaverton Central Station, which has a large, free Park & Ride garage. However, it fills up very early on weekdays, usually by 7:30 AM.
If that garage is full, your next best bets are the Beaverton Creek Station or the Millikan Way Station, both located along the Blue Line in the Beaverton area. They also offer free parking but have fewer spaces. For a guaranteed spot, consider arriving before 7:00 AM or using the Sunset Transit Center, which is one of the largest in the system but is located just outside Beaverton in Washington County.
Here’s a quick comparison of the primary options:
| Station Name | MAX Line | Parking Type | Approximate Spaces | Typical Fill-Up Time (Weekdays) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaverton Central | Red Line | Free Garage & Lot | 450+ | Before 7:30 AM |
| Millikan Way | Blue Line | Free Surface Lot | 200+ | Before 8:00 AM |
| Beaverton Creek | Blue Line | Free Surface Lot | 150+ | Before 8:15 AM |
| Sunset Transit Ctr | Blue/Red | Free & Paid Surface Lots | 1,700+ | Paid spots often available |
| Elmonica | Blue Line | Free Surface Lot | 100+ | Varies |
Always remember to lock your vehicle and avoid leaving any valuables in sight. Using a Park & Ride is the safest and most reliable method for combining a car commute with the MAX. For real-time parking availability, check the TriMet website or app before you head out.

Head straight to the Beaverton Transit Center garage. It's free and huge, right next to the tracks. The trick is timing—if you roll in after 7:30 AM on a weekday, you're probably out of luck. If it's full, don't sweat it. Just hop over to the Millikan Way station a couple of stops down the Blue Line. Their lot is smaller but fills up a little later. It’s all about that early bird strategy.


