Mrs Blog and I went to the the two UNH games in past years. Gillette is a great venue to see football, but the traffic was horrendous both times.
The problem was both times we ended up in sections #3 or #4 (see attached map). The slow drive to make a left turn at P1 on to Rt 1 and the crawl past the various stadium exits took an hour.
However, this year's trip was a revelation. We had season tickets with the VIP Parking passes.
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Markings: Pink in-- Green out.
Gillette Parking Map (.pdf download)
Directions Arriving: Western Mass fans coming down I 495 (and having VIP passes) should enter Gillette at P8. Drive directly at the stadium until you come to four-way intersection. Go straight. There will be parking attendants with the straight option partially blocked off. Display your VIP pass and they will let you go on to Section #22. That's between the tower and Gillette. Park/tailgate there.
Access to the Stadium is by walking left (facing the stadium) and down a flight of steps.
Directions Out: This is where the VIP pass really shines. Leave the #22 parking lot and go straight towards P8. At the end of the road take a sharp right onto an overpass exit that merges into RT 1 North (actually going west) towards I 495. That totally shortcuts the left hand turn at P8 and the slow drive past Gillette on RT 1. We were on our way in five minutes.
I realize that when the crowds get larger, this will slow down some, but it's still light years better than the other way.
So IMHO, western MASS UMass fans should take advantage of the Season Ticket Package with the VIP Parking, if at all possible. it will make your commute to Gillette much more enjoyable. If you didn't get the package this year, do yourself a favor and get it next season.
UPDATE-- EXCEPTION: I should have mentioned that there is no Club Seats entrance from the Lot 22 side of the stadium. If you should be mobility impaired AND you have Club seats then VIP Lot # 5 would probably be better. It's a fairly long hike around the stadium with lots stairs from VIP Lot #22.
