Here's An App That Helps You Find Free Street Parking In Chicago

By Jon Graef in News on Jul 20, 2014 6:00PM



Via Meter Beaters

Meter Beaters, self-described by creator Mike Mullin as the "first app to display free street parking" in Chicago, is designed to help users find those precious few free street parking spots in the city. Meter Beaters says its app covers "200 miles of street parking that is free and unrestricted for at least 1 hour."

Mullin writes Meter Beaters is "based on your time and location inputs," and "encompasses the enforcement time periods for permit zones, meter zones, loading zones, rush hour zones and other restrictions." That means any parking restriction is accounted for as you look for free street parking. And if you can't find it? There's an interactive meter map for those times when you just need to bite the bullet. For permit holders, there's a permit map to help guide you through the boundaries of the permit zone.

The Meter Beaters app was added to the iTunes store last month. You get 15 free daily searches with the app. Otherwise, there's an 99 cent in-app purchase which allows for 100 non-expiring search credits.



Via Meter Beaters

So far, the Meter Beaters app overwhelmingly covers a swath of North side and near Loop neighborhoods, which is hardly representational. [And, even then, there's no Logan Square or Rogers Park, for instance, listed amongst the neighborhoods covered.] That said, the app page says they will add more and more neighborhoods. We're eager to see South and West siders use the app.

Use it, because the parking meter deal isn't going away anytime soon.