NFL Draft Transportation: Your Guide to Getting Around Downtown

/ City of Detroit, D2A2, DDOT, Detroit People Mover, Downtown Detroit, DPM, NFL, People Mover, QLINE, service updates, SMART

Over the next week, there will be tons of people downtown for the NFL Draft! It is so amazing to see so many people experience a pedestrian friendly experience downtown, and we cannot wait to enjoy it! However, this will present many challenges, not just to visitors, but to Detroiters traveling through downtown. Therefore, TRU has compiled all the transit resources you could need to get around the D for the Draft. At the top, you’ll find brief info about the transit agencies that serve downtown Detroit, and below that you can find a detailed collection of detours by route. And for info on the NFL Draft festivities, see Visit Detroit’s Website.

A Refresher on Riding the Bus

If you haven’t rode the bus in a while, TRU has you covered! Check out our “How to Ride the Bus” guide if you need a refresher on using the bus in the Detroit area.

The Brief on Each Agency

  • People Mover (DPM)
    • A circular loop that runs around downtown Detroit, above the ground running counter clockwise
    • FREE TO RIDE
    • Trains come approximately every four minutes
    • The People Mover will run 24 hour service from April 25th through April 27th; for normal schedule, see DPM’s website
    • We highly recommend using the DPM to get around downtown. DDOT and SMART transfer to the People Mover at multiple stops, and the DPM will be running increased frequency for free!
  • DDOT
    • Use DDOT for travel within the City of Detroit. DDOT is especially good to get to and from downtown from nearby areas
    • $2 fare for four hours; free transfers to SMART and other DDOT Routes
    • Routes 3, 4, 6, 9, 16, and 40 are in detour as of April 18th
    • Routes 5, 6, 9, 52, 67 will be on detour starting April 23rd. Route 40 will have a slightly different detour route
    • Most detours will end April 29th, but Route 3 will still be on detour and Route 4 will be on a Northbound Only detour on April 30th
    • Go to DDOT’s Website for more info, specific roads detour routes will go on beyond the map below, and further updates
    • See rider alerts as they come up on Twitter @RideDDOT
  • SMART
    • Use SMART to get from the suburbs to downtown, or from a park and ride to downtown
    • $2 fare for four hours; free transfers to SMART and other DDOT Routes
    • See SMART’s express services for April 25th through the 27th
    • See this SMART Park and Ride Detour Map for a Google Maps version of available park and rides
    • Routes 255, 530, 620, 635, 805, 830, and 851 will be on detour April 15th to 27th
    • Routes 261, 461, 462, and 563 will be on detour April 15th to 30th
  • QLine
    • A streetcar connecting New Center, Midtown, and Downtown. Good for getting to and from those areas to the core of downtown, plus for travel along Woodward. See DDOT’s 4 Woodward bus for another speedy option along Woodward as well.
    • FREE TO RIDE
    • April 20th to 28th: QLine will run from Grand to Sproat only
    • Service frequency (meaning less time to wait) from April 25th through 27th
    • $5 Parking is available at multiple lots around the QLine Grand, Baltimore, and Amsterdam stops. See QLine’s Twitter for info on parking
    • It is about a ~10 minute walk from Sproat St to the People Mover Grand Circus Station
  • D2A2 and DAX
    • DAX connects DTW airport and downtown Detroit. DAX currently has no detour plans!
    • D2A2 connects Ann Arbor with downtown Detroit. In Ann Arbor, D2A2 connects directly to Michigan Flyer services to Brighton and East Lansing, and local AAATA service in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti.
    • April 25th to 27th: the D2A2 stop in downtown Detroit will be moved from Grand Circus Park to 400 Bagley St, between 1st and Cass Avenue.

Complete Detour and Closure Schedule

DDOT

  • See DDOT’s Website for further info
  • Rosa Parks Transit Center:
    • April 20th and 21st:
      • CLOSED; board buses at Times Square in bays 13, 14, 15
  • Route 3 Grand River:
    • April 18th to 29th:
      • Southbound: From Grand River, to right on Cass, to lay over in front of the AT&T building on Cass. 
      • Northbound: From Cass, to right on Michigan, to right on First, to continue as normal. 
    • After April 29th:
      • Southbound: From Larned, to left on St. Antoine, to left on Congress, to lay over at bus stop on Congress at Beaubien. 
      • Northbound: From Congress, to right on Griswold, to left on Michigan, to continue as normal. 
  • Route 4 Woodward:
    • April 18th to 29th:
      • Southbound: From Woodward, to right on I-75 service drive, to left on Cass, to left on Times Square, to lay over at Rosa Parks Transit Center. 
      • Northbound: From Grand River, to right on Washington Boulevard, to right on Michigan Ave., to right on Cass, to right on I-75 service drive, to left on Woodward, to continue as normal. 
    • After April 29th:
      • Northbound Only: From Woodward, to left on Congress, to right on Griswold, to left on Michigan, to right on Cass, to right on Bagley, to right on Grand River, to left on Woodward, to continue as normal. 
  • Route 5 Van Dyke:
    • April 23rd to 29th:
      • Westbound: From Lafayette, to right on I-375 service drive, to I-375, to northbound I-75, to Mack Ave. exit, to left on Mack, to left on Cass, to left on Grand River, to continue as normal. 
      • Eastbound: From Grand River, to right on Washington Boulevard, to right on Michigan Ave., to right on Cass, to right on I-75 service drive, to I-75, to southbound I-375, to Lafayette exit, to left on Lafayette, to continue as normal.  
  • Route 6 Gratiot:
    • April 28th to 22nd:
      • Southbound: Left on Antietam, to right on Rivard, to right on E. Lafayette, to left on I-375 service drive, to right on Congress, to right on Griswold, to left on Michigan Ave., to left on Third, to continue as normal. 
      • Northbound: From Third, to right on Michigan, to right on Washington Boulevard, to left on Larned, to left on Rivard, to left on Antietam, to right on Gratiot, to continue as normal. 
    • April 23rd to 29th:
      • Southbound: From Gratiot, to left on Antietam, to right on Rivard, to right on E. Lafayette, to left on I-375 service drive, to Lafayette, to right on I-375 Service Drive, to northbound I-75, to Mack Ave. exit, to left on Mack Ave., to left on Second, to Anthony Wayne Drive, into Third, to left on Temple, to right on Cass, to right on Michigan, to left on Third, to continue as normal.
      • Northbound: From Beaubien, to right on Michigan, to left on Cass, to right to I-75 service drive, to northbound I-75, to Gratiot exit, to Gratiot, to continue as normal. 
  • Route 9 Jefferson:
    • April 18th to 23rd:
      • Westbound Only: From Jefferson, to right on I-375 service drive, to left on Larned, into Congress, to right on Griswold, to left on Michigan Ave., to right on Cass, to continue as normal. 
    • April 23rd to 29th:
      • Westbound: From Jefferson, to right on I-375 service drive, to I-375, to northbound I-75, to Mack Ave. exit, to left on Mack, to left on Second, to left on Grand River, to continue as normal.
      • Eastbound: From Grand River, to right on Washington Boulevard, to right on Michigan Ave., to right on Cass, to right on I-75 service drive, to I-75, to southbound I-375, to Lafayette exit, to I-375 service drive, to left on Jefferson, to continue as normal. 
  • Route 16 Dexter:
    • April 18th to 29th:
      • Inbound: From Cass, to left on Times Square, to lay over at Rosa Parks Transit Center. 
      • Outbound: From Times Square, to right on Grand River, to right on Washington Boulevard, to right on Michigan Ave., to right on Cass, to continue as normal. 
  • Route 40 Russell:
    • April 18th to 23rd:
      • Southbound: From Russell, to right on Gratiot, to left on Antietam, to right on Rivard, to right on E. Lafayette, to left on I-375 service drive, to right on Congress, to right on Griswold, to left on Michigan, to right on Cass, to continue as normal. 
      • Northbound: From Washington Boulevard, to left on Larned, to left on Rivard, to left on Antietam, to right on Gratiot, to left on Russell, to continue as normal. 
    • April 23rd to 29th:
      • Southbound: From Russell, to right on Mack, to left on Cass, to left on Grand River, to Rosa Parks Transit Center. 
      • Northbound: From Grand River, to right on Washington Boulevard, to right on Michigan Ave., to right on Cass, to right on Mack, to left on Rivard, to continue as normal. 
  • Route 52 Chene:
    • April 23rd to 29th:
      • Westbound: From Larned, to right on I-375 service drive, to I-375, to northbound I-75, to Mack Ave. exit, to left on Mack, to left on Second, to Anthony Wayne Drive, into third, to left on Temple, to right on Cass, to left on Grand River, to continue as normal.
      • Eastbound: From Grand River, to right on Washington Boulevard, to right on Michigan Ave., to right on Cass, to right on I-75 service drive, onto I-75, to southbound I-375, to Lafayette exit, to left on Lafayette, to continue as normal.
  • Route 67 Cadillac/Harper:
    • April 23rd to 29th:
      • Westbound: From Larned, to right on I-375 service drive, to I-375, to northbound I-75, to Mack Ave. exit, to left on Mack, to left on Second, to Anthony Wayne Drive, into Third, to left on Temple, to right on Cass, to left on Grand River, to continue as normal.
      • Eastbound: From Grand River, to right on Washington Boulevard, to right on Michigan Ave., to right on Cass, to right on I-75 service drive, onto I-75, to southbound I-375, to Larned exit, to left on Larned, to continue as normal.

SMART

  • See SMART’s Service Bulletin for Further Updates
  • Route 255 Ford Rd Express:
    • April 15th to 23rd:
      • Westbound Only: Regular route on westbound Congress past Randolph, right Griswold, regular route.
    • April 24th to 27th:
      • Eastbound: Route will begin at AT&T stop on westbound Michigan Ave and Cass Ave, continue on regular route
      • Westbound: Regular route on eastbound Michigan Ave to 3rd Ave, left 3rd Ave, right Bagley Ave, right Cass Ave; last stop is on southbound Cass Ave before Michigan Ave, across from Rosa Parks Transit Center
      • Transfer to People Mover Times Square or Michigan Stations for downtown travel
  • Route 261 FAST Michigan:
    • April 15th to 23rd:
      • Westbound Only: Route will begin at the bus stop on westbound Congress just west of Beaubien, right Washington, regular route.
    • April 23rd to 30th:
      • Eastbound: Regular route on eastbound Michigan Ave to 3rd Ave, left 3rd Ave, right Bagley Ave, right Cass Ave; last stop is on southbound Cass Ave before Michigan Ave, across from Rosa Parks Transit Center.
      • Westbound: Route will begin at AT&T stop on westbound Michigan Ave and Cass Ave, continue on regular route.
      • Transfer to People Mover Times Square or Michigan Stations for downtown travel
  • Routes 461 and 462 FAST Woodward:
    • April 15th to 19th:
      • Northbound Only: Route will begin at the bus stop on westbound Congress just west of Beaubien, right Washington, continue on regular route.
    • April 20th to 23rd:
      • Southbound: Regular route on southbound Woodward Ave to MLK Jr Blvd, right MLK Jr Blvd, left Cass Ave, left Michgan Ave, right Washington Blvd, continue on regular route
      • Northbound: Route will begin at the bus stop on westbound Congress just west of Beaubien, right Washington, continue on regular route
    • April 23rd to 30th
      • Southbound: Regular route on southbound Woodward Ave to MLK Jr Blvd, right MLK Jr Blvd, left Cass Ave; last stop is on southbound Cass Ave before Michigan Ave across from Rosa Parks Transit Center.
      • Northbound: Route will begin at AT&T stop on westbound Michigan Ave and Cass Ave, right 1st St, right Bagley Ave, left Cass, right MLK Blvd, left Woodward Ave, regular route.
  • Route 530 Schoenherr:
    • April 15th to 24th:
      • Southbound: Regular route on southbound Gratiot to Antietam Ave, left Antietam Ave, right Rivard, right Larned into Congress past Randolph, right Griswold, regular route
      • Northbound: Regular route to eastbound Larned past Randolph,  left I-375 Service Dr, left Antietam, right Gratiot Ave, regular route
    • April 24th to 27th:
      • Southbound: Regular route on southbound Gratiot to Antietam Ave, left Antietam Ave, right Rivard, right Larned into Congress, right Beaubien to Bricktown People Mover station (end)
      • Northbound: From layover, right Lafayette, left I-375 Service Dr, left Antietam, right Gratiot Ave, regular route
      • Transfer to People Mover Bricktown Station for downtown travel
  • Route 563 FAST Gratiot:
    • April 15th to 24th:
      • Southbound: Regular route on southbound Gratiot to Antietam Ave, left Antietam Ave, right Rivard, right Larned into Congress past Randolph, last stop at DDOT bus stop just west of Griswold
      • Northbound: Regular route to eastbound Larned past Randolph, left I-375 Service Dr, left Antietam, right Gratiot Ave, regular route
    • April 23rd (8pm) to 29th:
      • Southbound: Regular route on southbound Gratiot to Antietam Ave, left Antietam Ave, right Rivard, right Larned into Congress, right Beaubien to Bricktown People Mover station (end).
      • Northbound: From layover, right Lafayette, left I-375 Service Dr, left Antietam, right Gratiot Ave, regular route
      • Transfer to People Mover Bricktown Station for downtown travel
  • Route 620 Charlevoix:
    • April 15th to 24th:
      • Southbound Only: Regular route on westbound Congress past Randolph, right Griswold, regular route.
    • April 24th to 27th:
      • Southbound: Regular route on westbound Congress, right Beaubien to Bricktown People Mover station (end)
      • Northbound: From Bricktown People Mover station, right Lafayette, right I-375 Service Dr past Larned, regular route
      • Transfer to People Mover Bricktown Station for downtown travel
  • Route 635 East Jefferson:
    • April 15th to 23rd:
      • Southbound Only: Regular route on westbound Congress past Randolph, right Griswold, regular route.
    • April 24th to 27th:
      • Southbound: Regular route on westbound Congress, right Beaubien to Bricktown People Mover station (end)
      • Northbound: From Bricktown People Mover station, right Lafayette, right I-375 Service Dr past Larned, regular route
      • Transfer to People Mover Bricktown Station for downtown travel
  • Route 805 Grand River P&R:
    • April 15th to 24th:
      • Westbound: Regular route on southbound Chrysler Service Dr to Congress, right Congress, right Griswold, regular route
      • Eastbound: Regular route to eastbound Larned past Randolph,  left I-375 Service Dr, left Antietam, right Gratiot Ave, regular route
    • April 24th to 27th:
      • Westbound: Route will begin at AT&T stop on westbound Michigan Ave and Cass Ave, regular route.
      • Eastbound: Regular route to southbound 3rd Ave, left Bagley, right Cass Ave, end route at stop on southbound Cass Ave before Michigan Ave, across from Rosa Parks Transit Center.
      • Transfer to People Mover Times Square or Michigan Stations for downtown travel
  • Route 830 Downriver P&R:
    • April 15th to 24th:
      • Southbound Only: Regular route on westbound Congress past Randolph, right Griswold, regular route.
    • April 24th to 27th:
      • Southbound: Route will begin at AT&T stop on westbound Michigan Ave and Cass Ave, continue on regular route
      • Northbound: Regular route on eastbound Michigan Ave to 3rd Ave, left 3rd Ave, right Bagley Ave, right Cass Ave; last stop is on southbound Cass Ave before Michigan Ave, across from Rosa Parks Transit Center
      • Transfer to People Mover Times Square or Michigan Stations for downtown travel
  • Route 851 W Bloomfield Hills P&R:
    • April 15th to 23rd:
      • Northbound Only: Regular route on southbound Chrysler Service Dr to Congress, right Congress, right Griswold, regular route
    • April 23rd to 27th:
      • Northbound: Route will begin at AT&T stop on westbound Michigan Ave and Cass Ave, right 1st, left Bagley, regular route
      • Southbound: Regular route to southbound Cass Ave, end route at stop on southbound Cass Ave before Michigan Ave, across from Rosa Parks Transit Center.
      • Transfer to People Mover Times Square or Michigan Stations for downtown travel

QLine

  • See QLine’s Website for more info
  • April 20th to 28th:
    • Northbound: Service starts at Sproat, normal route to Grand
    • Southbound: Service terminates at Sproat
    • Transfer to People Mover Grand Circus Stations for downtown travel (Note: This is a ~10 minute walk)

D2A2

  • See D2A2’s Website for more info
  • April 25th to 27th:
    • Detroit: Stop moved from Grand Circus Park to 400 Bagley St, between 1st and Cass Avenue