Detroit Airport Parking Covered: Garages, Rates & Tips 2026

Back to Detroit Airport Parking Garage: Rates & Tips 2026 | Complete DTW Airport Parking Guide

Detroit airport parking covered refers to the enclosed, multi-level garages at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) where your vehicle stays protected from Michigan's harsh weather. Both on-airport garages — the McNamara Parking Garage and the Big Blue Deck — offer fully covered parking, with long-term rates starting at $23/day (verified October 2026, per metroairport.com). If you want covered parking at DTW, you have two solid on-airport options and several cheaper off-site alternatives nearby.

• Two covered garages on-airport: McNamara Parking Garage serves Delta and SkyTeam flights; Big Blue Deck serves all other airlines at Evans Terminal.
• Long-term covered rates: Big Blue Deck long-term is $23/day; McNamara long-term is $32/day (as of 2026).
• Short-term covered parking starts at $4 for the first 30 minutes at both garages, capping at $43 to $44/day.
• Height limit: Most covered levels max out at 7 ft 0 in. Van-accessible spaces go to 8 ft 2 in at specific zones.
• Cheapest covered option is the Big Blue Deck long-term at $23/day, about 28% less than McNamara long-term.
• Off-site lots on Triply run about $10 to $12/day (the Marriott's rate is before tax) and park outdoors; none is covered. Triply rates are for a 7-day stay booked ahead and change by date.

Ready to compare DTW covered and off-site parking rates side by side? Search DTW parking options on Triply, with off-site rates from about $10/day.

What Is Covered Parking at Detroit Metro Airport (DTW)?

Covered parking at DTW is any parking structure with a roof or enclosed levels that shields your vehicle from rain, snow, ice, and wind. At Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, that means the two multi-story parking garages connected to or adjacent to each terminal. The open-air Green Lot and all off-site lots are uncovered by comparison.

Michigan winters make covered parking a real practical choice. Detroit averages over 40 inches of snow per year, and returning to a buried car after a week-long trip is no fun. Covered parking also protects against hail and heat in summer. Both on-airport garages offer 24/7 access, and you pay at the airport rather than through Triply.

Where Are the Covered Parking Garages at DTW?

DTW has exactly two covered parking structures, each tied to one of its two terminals. Knowing which terminal your airline uses is essential before you drive in.

McNamara Parking Garage — McNamara Terminal

The McNamara Parking Garage is directly attached to the Edward H. McNamara Terminal, home to Delta Air Lines, Delta Connection, Air France, KLM, Korean Air, WestJet, and Aeromexico. You can walk from your parking level directly into the terminal. The garage has both a short-term section (capped at $44/day) and a long-term section ($32/day). Valet parking is also available here at $51/day, with drop-off inside at the departures level.

Big Blue Deck — Evans Terminal

The Big Blue Deck is the covered garage serving the Evans Terminal (formerly North Terminal), which handles Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Frontier, JetBlue, Lufthansa, Southwest, Spirit, Sun Country, and United Airlines. Its long-term section is the most affordable covered option on the airport at $23/day. Short-term rates cap at $43/day. Both garages are managed by the Wayne County Airport Authority.

How Much Does DTW Covered Parking Cost in 2026?

Covered parking at DTW varies widely depending on how long you stay and which garage you use. Per official airport data (verified October 2026), here are the current rates:

Short-term covered parking starts at $4 for the first 30 minutes at both garages, useful for quick pickups or drop-offs. A 2.65% processing fee applies per card transaction at on-airport facilities, per the Wayne County Airport Authority. For a full breakdown of all DTW pricing tiers, see our Detroit airport parking rates guide for 2026.

Covered Parking vs. Uncovered Parking at DTW: Which Should You Choose?

The right choice depends on your budget, trip length, and how much the weather matters to you. Here's a direct comparison:

• McNamara Long-Term (covered): $32/day. Walk to McNamara Terminal, no shuttle needed, protected from weather.
• Big Blue Deck Long-Term (covered): $23/day. Covered, close to Evans Terminal, cheapest on-site covered option.
• Green Lot (uncovered, on-airport): $20/day flat. Open-air, requires a free shuttle to both terminals.
• Detroit Metro Airport Marriott (uncovered, off-site): about $10/day plus tax (the 7-night checkout is $104.54). Uncovered hotel lot with a free 24/7 on-demand shuttle, about a 30-minute wait.
• Wyndham Garden Romulus (uncovered, off-site): about $11/day, listed 1.8 miles away, with a free 24/7 shuttle every hour. Lowest 7-night checkout of the four ($92.93).
• Valet Connections (uncovered, off-site): about $12/day. Outdoor parking with a free 24-hour shuttle every 10 to 15 minutes. 2-day minimum, and part of the price is paid at the lot.
• Hampton Inn Detroit/Belleville (uncovered, off-site): about $12/day, listed 7.1 miles away, with a free 24-hour shuttle on the hour. 3-day minimum, and part of the price is paid at the lot.

The Big Blue Deck long-term at $23/day costs just $3/day more than the uncovered Green Lot. Over a 5-day trip, that's only $15 extra for covered protection and no shuttle wait. For longer trips or winter travel, that trade-off is easy to justify. Off-site lots on Triply cost less overall: for a 7-night trip, which bills 8 days at the airport, Triply checkouts run $92.93 to $104.54, against $256 for McNamara long-term, $184 for Big Blue Deck long-term and $160 for the Green Lot (before the airport's 2.65% card fee). But all four bookable off-site lots near DTW are uncovered. For more details on the off-site options, check our guide to airport parking near DTW.

Before you drive, check real-time traffic on Waze — the ongoing $85.5 million Dingell Drive Tunnels and Roadway Rehabilitation project (funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, running through 2027) can cause lane closures on airport access roads. Build in extra time, especially during peak travel periods.

What Are the Vehicle Height Restrictions for DTW Covered Parking?

Vehicle height is a real concern in covered garages. Most covered levels at both the McNamara Garage and the Big Blue Deck have a standard clearance of 7 ft 0 in. Taller vehicles have specific options:

• Up to 8 ft 2 in: Van-accessible spaces at McNamara Garage (Level 2 near the B elevators) and Big Blue Deck (Level 1, Zones A and B)
• Over 8 ft 2 in: You must use the Green Lot (open-air, $20/day flat)
• Vans, pickups and large SUVs are accepted at no extra charge at the off-site Valet Connections (about $12/day) and Hampton Inn Detroit/Belleville (about $12/day)

If you drive a full-size pickup truck with a camper shell, a large SUV, or a van conversion, measure your vehicle's height before assuming it fits in a covered garage. The 7-foot limit catches a lot of travelers off guard. Call the DTW parking hotline at (800) 642-1978 if you're unsure which level or zone to use.

How Do You Get from DTW Covered Parking to Your Terminal?

Access to your terminal from covered parking depends entirely on which garage you use. Both garages offer direct or very short connections.

• McNamara Parking Garage: Connected directly to the McNamara Terminal. Walk from your parking level to the terminal without going outside. Fast and straightforward for Delta flyers.
• Big Blue Deck: A short, sheltered walk connects the deck to the Evans Terminal. You do not need a shuttle from either covered garage.
• Green Lot: Requires a free shuttle to both terminals. Shuttle frequency is not published on metroairport.com — call ahead or allow extra time.

One key fact: you cannot walk between the McNamara Terminal and Evans Terminal. If you're parked at the Big Blue Deck and need to reach McNamara (or vice versa), you must use the free airport shuttle that connects both terminals. Plan your parking before you drive — park at the garage that matches your airline. Review terminal assignments on the official DTW terminal maps page.

If you have TSA PreCheck, both terminals have dedicated lanes, which makes the walk from your covered garage to the gate even faster. It's one of the quickest security combos at a major airport when the garage is connected directly to the terminal.

How Can You Reserve Covered Parking at Detroit Airport in Advance?

The airport garages are paid for at the airport, and Triply does not sell on-airport parking. During major holidays and peak summer weekends, the garages can get busy, so allow extra time to find a space.

If you want to lock in a rate and guarantee a spot, your best option is to book through Triply's DTW parking search, where off-site lots near the airport offer advance reservations with free cancellation with a full refund up to 24 hours before check-in. All four bookable lots on Triply come with free shuttles and confirmed spots, useful for holiday travel when on-site garages may be under pressure. For more ways to save, see our Detroit Metro Airport parking coupons and deals guide.

Is Covered Parking at DTW Safe and Secure?

Both the McNamara Garage and Big Blue Deck are managed facilities operated under the Wayne County Airport Authority. They are lit, staffed, and located within the secure airport property. Off-site alternatives vary. Valet Connections lists 24/7 CCTV surveillance and a 24-hour front desk, Wyndham Garden Romulus is well-lit with 24/7 surveillance, and the Marriott and Hampton Inn Detroit/Belleville lots list a 24/7 front desk.

Covered garages reduce vehicle exposure to weather damage but do not eliminate all security risks. Standard precautions apply: lock your car, take valuables with you, and note your floor and zone number. Accessible parking spaces are available in all DTW long-term areas. If you have any issues, the airport parking hotline at (800) 642-1978 operates 24 hours. Review TSA security screening guidelines to stay prepared once you're inside the terminal.

Detroit Airport Parking Covered: Final Recommendations

For travelers flying Delta or SkyTeam airlines, the McNamara Parking Garage long-term section at $32/day gives you covered, walk-in access to your terminal. For everyone else at Evans Terminal, the Big Blue Deck long-term at $23/day is the best detroit airport parking covered option: significantly cheaper and still fully enclosed. If budget is your top priority and you can handle an outdoor lot, off-site options on Triply start at about $10/day plus tax (Detroit Metro Airport Marriott) or about $11/day (Wyndham Garden Romulus, the lowest 7-night total), all with free shuttles.

One note for 2026: the ongoing Dingell Drive construction may add a few extra minutes to your drive. Leave buffer time, especially during peak periods. Both terminals remain fully open and no parking closures are expected through the project's 2027 completion date.

Compare DTW off-site parking on Triply, from about $10/day before tax, with free cancellation and a full refund up to 24 hours before check-in. These lots are uncovered.