The City of Tallahassee and Florida State University police departments are coordinating efforts to manage traffic and safety for the upcoming FSU football season. With thousands expected to attend home games, officials have released details on traffic patterns and parking options around downtown Tallahassee and the FSU campus.
Before each game, traffic signals along Pensacola Street between Duval Street and Chieftan Way will be set to “flash” to prioritize westbound vehicles heading toward Doak Campbell Stadium. Officers from the Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) will be stationed along this route starting three hours before kickoff. In some cases, TPD may take control of signals near the stadium up to six hours prior to game time.
Drivers not attending the games should anticipate delays, especially along Macomb and Copeland streets, from two hours before kickoff until about 30 minutes after (excluding weather-related changes). To avoid congestion, motorists are advised to use Ocala Road and Monroe Street for north-south travel.
On October 11 and November 1, both Florida State University (FSU) and Florida A&M University (FAMU) will host home games. Heavier vehicle traffic is expected on Tennessee Street, Pensacola Street, South Monroe Street, Gaines Street, Lake Bradford Road, and Orange Avenue during these dates. Fans are encouraged to allow extra travel time.
Stadium gates typically open two hours before kickoff except for the season opener against Alabama. For that game only, most gates—except J, H, and K—will open three hours ahead of the 12:30 p.m. start; Gates J, H, and K will open at 1:30 p.m., following Legacy Walk events.
Parking guidance has been provided for Seminole Booster lots. Those using lots 5, 6, 7, 8, 11 or 14 should approach via Pensacola Street; those in lots 2, 3, 4 or 18 can arrive from either Gaines or Pensacola Streets; lots 25 or 13 are best accessed via West Tennessee Street to Woodward Avenue. General parking directions can be found through the free SeminoleSafe App.
For navigation assistance on game days—including pregame and postgame routes accounting for detours or closures—fans can use the Waze Traffic App integrated with SeminoleSafe.
The pedestrian tunnel at Pensacola Street and Stadium Drive will be open for the Alabama game but closed during construction for the second home game against East Texas A&M. It is scheduled to reopen by the third home game versus Kent State.
Seminole Boosters will provide courtesy carts throughout game days for fans needing help traveling from their assigned lot to Doak Campbell Stadium.
After games conclude, Pensacola Street east of the stadium will operate as a one-way street moving eastbound away from Doak Campbell Stadium. Northbound traffic on Springhill Road/Lake Bradford Road between FAMU Way and Gaines Street—and southbound traffic on Stadium Drive from Tennessee Street—will not be permitted immediately following games. Motorists are again advised that delays are likely along several main roads near campus after games end; alternate routes such as Ocala Road remain recommended.
Officials stress cooperation with law enforcement instructions while traveling on game days. The City of Tallahassee and FSU have held multiple meetings in preparation for football season logistics.
Fans can find real-time updates—including turn-by-turn directions to parking areas—as well as information about stadium policies using Florida State University’s official SeminoleSafe App under its Game Day Guide tab.
“Fans are encouraged to arrive early and plan for some delays. Please follow directions from law enforcement while traveling to and from the game.”
For more information about FSU Football Game Day logistics visit https://seminoles.com/.
