According to the Clemson University Athletics Department, more than 80,000 people travel to Tigertown on seven Saturdays each fall to watch the Clemson Tigers football team play live at Memorial Stadium. This results in long lines of cars and crowded parking lots.

Clemson University's 2024 home football schedule includes games against Appalachian State on September 7, North Carolina State on September 21, Stanford on September 28, Virginia on October 19, Louisville on November 2, the Citadel on November 23, and the South Carolina Gamecocks on November 30.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol, the City of Clemson, and Clemson Athletics have developed policies for traffic based on a thorough study conducted by civil engineering department members on Clemson's campus to help access areas around Memorial Stadium before and after games.

"In the past, after the game, we have had traffic counterflow in all four lanes on Hwy. 93 from Perimeter Road eastbound through campus to Hwy. 76," Jason Wilson, associate director of IPTAY, said.

Dr. (Wayne) Sarasua’s research found a significant stress point. According to the Clemson Athletics Department, he suggested that the 123 and College Avenue intersection could be partially relieved by closing College Avenue, which is currently under construction. Sarasua is a professor of civil engineering at Clemson.

Other additions include two outbound lanes on Hwy. 93 through campus, which should move traffic to Hwy. 76, where fans can turn toward Anderson or back through Clemson.

College Avenue will be closed to through traffic from the downtown junction near Bowman Field to Hwy. 123.

A bus and shuttle lane will be set up from Clemson Beach Parking to Perimeter Road before and after the game.

"The biggest problem we faced was post-game traffic. These practices will continue during the 2024 football season," Wilson said.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol will help with inbound and outbound traffic, according to Master Trooper Mitchell Ridgeway with the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

City of Clemson expansion project on College Avenue

The City of Clemson has been working with design firm Alta to develop a long-range plan for the College Avenue corridor from Highway 93 to Highway 123.

The study began in August 2017 and included four public input sessions and a public design meeting, according to the city of Clemson. The study looked into issues such as the potential removal of on-street parking (provided the City can build a new parking deck), increasing sidewalk widths, promoting safe bicycle traffic, promoting public transit, addressing private vehicular traffic and cut-through traffic, improving streetscape planting, lighting and signage, increasing pedestrian safety, the creation of pedestrian plazas, and possibly adding public green/park space.

"The Alta plan would increase pedestrian and cycling safety by increasing sidewalk widths, developing dedicated on-street and separated cycle paths, and increasing visibility through enhanced crosswalks," City of Clemson Mayor Robert Halfacre said.

"Parking removal depends on parking spaces being developed within the existing ROW and the impact of the new parking ordinance/meters going online in the spring," Halfacre said.

"The City of Clemson is working on implementing the first section of the downtown corridor plan, working with Seamon Whiteside to design and develop construction documents between Highway 93 and North Clemson Avenue," Halfacre said. "Once we have developed a conceptual plan, the city will have an opportunity for public input in the section it is designing, as the Alta plan."

Clemson University home football game 2024 parking

Parking space availability is often impacted from one season to the next due to construction projects or general changes to the campus landscape, according to the Clemson University Athletics Department.

Listed below are parking locations affected for the 2024 football season as of Feb. 6.

• Lot 3J– Jervey Gym expansion and renovation has eliminated 82 spaces.

• Lot 23– The College of Forestry academic building will eliminate all of Lot 23.

• Seneca Creek Meadow—Campus Facilities Operations is being relocated to the property off Seneca Creek and McGregor Road. This relocation will reduce the available parking inventory. The exact number of spots being affected is still unknown.

• C1– All of Lot C1 will be assigned to IPTAY members for the 2024 season.

• Lot 8—Progress toward the Advanced Materials Innovation Complex will reduce inventory for the 2024 season from 92 spaces to 40.

• Lot 2A– Expansion of the West Campus Chilled Water Plant will affect inventory on the south half of Lot 2A.

According to the Clemson University Athletics Department, the R-4 Lot next to the C-1 expansion will open by the first home football game on September 6 against Appalachian State. The expansion will create 85 parking spaces and a connection point to the C-1 Lot.

Wilson stated that this year, despite some physical changes due to the expansion of the College Avenue corridor within the City of Clemson, 80% of people who requested a specific parking space received it on their first request.

He explained that 20% of people did not get the requested parking space. However, Clemson University has made alternative arrangements to ensure everyone has a satisfactory parking experience.

What to know about parking on campus

Fifteen thousand Clemson parking spaces are assigned to IPTAY donors each year, according to Clemson University's website.

Things to remember:

• Reserved lots and areas will be cleared on game days beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Saturdays. Any vehicles remaining in the lots will be towed at the owner’s expense.

• Parking lots open at 6 a.m. for games that kick off before 12:30 p.m. and 8 a.m. for all later kickoff times.

• Questions about IPTAY parking should be directed to the IPTAY office by calling 864-656-2115.

• The S.C. Highway Patrol and event staff control IPTAY parking area access on game days.

• Only vehicles with a valid IPTAY parking permit can enter, drive through, or park in IPTAY parking spaces.

• Parking lots open at 6 a.m. for games that kick off before 12:30 p.m. and 8 a.m. for all later kickoff times.

• Parked vehicles must be moved two hours after home games conclude.

• For an interactive football parking map, go here.

Driving to Memorial Stadium? What to know

Are you planning on driving to a Clemson University football game this year? Wilson said tailgating at Clemson University starts at 6 a.m.

"You should leave early to ensure you arrive on time and find a good spot," he said.

Suppose you're driving to Clemson University to attend a football game at Memorial Stadium. In that case, there are plenty of ways to get there to secure your parking spot, whether you're tailgating or not.

Before heading on any road trip, the South Carolina Highway Patrol recommends that you ensure your vehicle has been properly serviced. This includes ensuring that your tires are inflated to the correct pressure and have sufficient tread, checking coolant levels and other fluids, and ensuring that your wipers make good contact with the windshield.

Here is what you should know about traveling to Clemson University.

Traveling to Clemson University Memorial Stadium? Here are suggestions

Suppose you plan to travel to Clemson University Memorial Stadium for tailgating or to watch the game by vehicle. In that case, the easiest route is I-85, the closest interstate route to Clemson, according to Mapquest. Once on I-85, you should exit onto U.S. Route 76 and drive about 13 miles north to South Carolina Route 93. Follow the signs to Memorial Stadium. Another option is to take U.S. Route 123, which connects with Route 93.

If you are coming from Charlotte, North Carolina, or the Greenville, South Carolina area, you should take I-85 South to Exit 40, according to the Clemson University Athletics Department. Make a right onto SC Highway 153. Follow this road until it runs into SC Highway 123. Take 123 South. Take a left onto College Avenue to downtown Clemson. College Avenue ends at Highway 93. Make a sharp right turn onto Old Greenville Hwy (Hwy 93). Subway Sandwich Shop will be on your right. Take a left at the second light onto Perimeter Road.

From Columbia, take I-26 West and exit onto I-385 West, according to the Clemson University Athletics Department. From 385, take I-85 South and exit at Exit 40. Make a right on SC Highway 153. Follow this road until it runs into SC Highway 123. Take 123 South. Take a left onto College Avenue to downtown Clemson. College Avenue ends at Highway 93. Make a sharp right turn onto Old Greenville Hwy (Hwy 93). Subway Sandwich Shop will be on your right. Take a left at the second light onto Perimeter Road.

From Atlanta, take I-85 North to Exit 14 in South Carolina, according to the Clemson University Athletics Department. Take a left and cross the bridge over the interstate onto SC Highway 187. Stay on Highway 187 until the road runs into U.S. Highway 76 and 28. Make a left at this traffic light. Follow this road past Tri-County Technical College towards Clemson. Take a left onto Perimeter Road.

If you are from Asheville, North Carolina, or the Jacksonville, Florida, area, click here to view directions to Clemson University Memorial Stadium provided by their Athletic Department.

Photographer Ken Ruinard contributed to this article

Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Anderson Independent Mail: Driving routes, parking info for Clemson's 7 home football games