COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Friday is the official opening day for the Atlanta Braves at their new home: SunTrust Park.
The Braves first game in the new ballpark was an exhibition game against the New York Yankees on March 31.
Even with the Interstate 85 bridge collapse, there seemed to be little issue with fans getting into and out of the ball park.
[SunTrust Park map: Seating chart, gates and entrances]
However, that game was only open to about 20,000 Braves season ticket holders. Officials for the team said it was a good test run for Friday’s home opener against the San Diego Padres.
Here is a guide to help you navigate around the new stadium:
How to get there by car: SunTrust Park is located in the Cumberland area just west of the junction of I-75 and I-285. The Braves suggest drivers use the Waze traffic app, which accounts for driving conditions, to guide their trips.
From downtown Atlanta: Take I-75 N toward Marietta/Chattanooga; take I-285 W (exit 259B) toward Birmingham/Montgomery; merge onto Cobb Pkwy/US-41 N/GA-3 toward Spring Rd./Smyrna/Marietta, then take take the first right onto Circle 75 Pkwy SE.
From Kennesaw: Take I-75 S toward Atlanta; take the Windy Hill Rd exit (exit 260) toward Smyrna, keep left at the fork on the ramp and then stay straight to go onto Circle 75 Pkwy SE
SunTrust Park: The new home of the Braves
From Lawrenceville: I-85 S to I-285 W (exit 95B) toward Chattanooga/Birmingham; take the US-41/Cobb Pkwy/I-75 S exit (exit 20) toward Atlanta; keep right to take the US-41/Cobb Pkwy ramp; merge onto Cobb Pkwy/US-41 N/GA-3 toward Spring Rd./Smyrna/Marietta, then take take the first right onto Circle 75 Pkwy SE.
From Douglasville: Take I-20 E to I-285 N/GA-407 N (exit 51B) toward Chattanooga/Greenville; take US-41 N (exit 19) and turn left onto US-41 N/GA-3/Cobb Pkwy; thenturn right onto Circle 75 Pkwy SE.
How and where to park: There are about 14,000 parking spots at SunTrust (compared to Turner Field's nearly 8,700), with some lots designated for season ticket holders and others for public parking. The Braves recommend buying a parking pass online ahead of time. Some of the public parking lots allow you to pay on-site with a credit card (not cash), while others are prepaid parking only.
How to get to the new Braves stadium using MARTA
Option 1: At the MARTA Midtown station, catch the MARTA Bus Route 12 bound for to Cumberland Mall. At the Cumberland Transfer Center, exit the bus and catch the Cumberland District Circulator to SunTrust Park. MARTA bus Route 12 operates seven days a week.
Schedule: Download the free MARTA On-The-Go app for schedules and real-time bus information
Option 2: At the MARTA Arts Center station, catch the CobbLinc Bus Route 10 bound for Marietta. At the Cumberland Transfer Center, exit the bus and catch the Cumberland District Circulator to SunTrust Park. Bus Route 10 operates Monday through Saturday and does not operate on Sundays.
Schedule: CobbLinc Bus Route 10 from MARTA Arts Center to Marietta Transfer Center
Which MARTA stations have free parking?
Several MARTA stations offer free daily parking and paid long-term parking. Any station with a car graphic on the MARTA map, including Lindbergh and North Springs, offers free daily parking.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution contributed to this article.
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