I just took a mini-vacation, and was shopping around for airport parking options. As I have written about previously, I strongly prefer to park on airport property rather than in a local off-airport lot — it is usually cheaper, faster, and more convenient.

As you may know, the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey — which operates the airport — offers several parking options at a variety of price points. Ranging from $25 a day at the P6 Economy lot, to $38 a day at the P4 Daily garage, to $44 a day at the Short-Term Terminal lots. (Note: Those are the current prebooking rates.)

Imagine my surprise when I discovered a brand new option on the airport web site. For a parking lot I have never heard of before.

A sample of available parking options from a recent screenshot of the Newark Airport web site, which includes the new and elusive Lot 151. (PANYNJ)
A sample of available parking options from a recent screenshot of the Newark Airport web site, which includes the new and elusive Lot 151. (PANYNJ)
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The Mystery

Lot 151. It just oozes mystery and intrigue. Maybe it's because the name is so close to "Area 51". Maybe because 151, among other things, shares its name with a popular high-proof rum.

An updated EWR parking map shows Lot 151 is situated on the northern edge of airport property, at the corner of Brewster Rd. and Conrad Rd.

An updated map of Newark Liberty International Airport shows the location of Lot 151 in the North Area along Brewster Rd. (PANYNJ)
An updated map of Newark Liberty International Airport shows the location of Lot 151 in the North Area along Brewster Rd. (PANYNJ)
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According to the Newark Airport parking booking site: "Available for a limited time! Safe and official. Free shuttle-bus service direct to terminals; travel time 10 minutes depending on the terminal. One bus stop closer to terminals than P6 Economy, also lowest price."

The fine print indicates that a human staff member will be on-site to verify a prepaid booking, and allow access to and exit from the lot. The price seems to be equal to the discounted prepaid rate for the nearby P6 Economy lot — $25 a day.

But here is the most curious part — that is all the information available about Lot 151. There is no other mention of "Lot 151" on the Port Authority web site. Nor anywhere on the internet — a Google search returns very few relevant, useful entries. (Other than a recommendation from one Redditor who apparently parked there in 2022.)

So is this parking lot real? Will there be an actual attendant there? With frequent shuttle service to EWR's terminals?

The satellite view of Lot 151 shows it is just north of the EWR apron (note the parked planes at the bottom of this image), used previously for vehicle storage. (Google Maps)
The satellite view of Lot 151 shows it is just north of the EWR apron (note the parked planes at the bottom of this image), used previously for vehicle storage. (Google Maps)
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As of July 2019, Lot 151 was a vacant lot, in poor shape, surrounded by privacy fence. (Google Street View)
As of July 2019, Lot 151 was a vacant lot, in poor shape, surrounded by privacy fence. (Google Street View)
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What to Know About Lot 151

Yes, Lot 151 is real.

The infrastructure is temporary. The attendant booth is on wheels. Cones replace painted lines to mark parking aisles. Entry/exit gates are not permanent.

An aerial view of Lot 151, on its first day of operation, Saturday 11/18. Exactly 19 cars were parked there. (Dan Zarrow, Townsquare Media)
An aerial view of Lot 151, on its first day of operation, Saturday 11/18. Exactly 19 cars were parked there. (Dan Zarrow, Townsquare Media)
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It is clearly an ad hoc overflow parking lot, intended for use only during very busy travel periods. There must be an attendant on-duty 24/7, to check reservations and (presumably) offer an extra layer of lot security.

The view of EWR's Lot 151 from the ground, just days before opening to the public. The perimeter fence was down, temporary barricades were laid down, and an attendant's booth is ready to go. (Dan Zarrow, Townsquare Media)
The view of EWR's Lot 151 from the ground, just days before opening to the public. The perimeter fence was down, temporary barricades were laid down, and an attendant's booth is ready to go. (Dan Zarrow, Townsquare Media)
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Approaching the lot, there are some signs pointing there. But you really need to know exactly where you're going, and/or follow signed to "North Area" and "Building 151" to find it.

This is the extent of the signage pointing to "151". Blink and you will miss it. (Google Street View)
This is the extent of the signage pointing to "151". Blink and you will miss it. (Google Street View)
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This is the extent of the signage pointing to "151". Blink and you will miss it. (Google Street View)
This is the extent of the signage pointing to "151". Blink and you will miss it. (Google Street View)
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Transportation to and from the airport terminals is available. But travelers have to cross the busy Brewster Road to catch a shuttle bus. Also, the same buses that service the P6 Economy lot a half-mile away — which may be totally full before even reaching Lot 151.

Prepaid online bookings are available from Saturday, November 18, 2023 to Wednesday, November 29, 2023 — coinciding with the busy Thanksgiving travel weeks. (I suspect those dates will be extended through the Christmas holiday season too, if needed.)

The Bottom Line

Mystery solved — Lot 151 is a relatively new and temporary parking option at Newark Airport. I'm not sure it is a good option for the average airport traveler, except as a last resort. (If literally every other affordable option is taken.)

Dan Zarrow is Chief Meteorologist for Townsquare Media New Jersey. Check out Dan's weather blog or follow him on Facebook for your latest weather forecast updates.

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[WARNING: Under no circumstances should you enter private or abandoned property. By doing so you risk bodily harm and/or prosecution for trespassing.]

Gallery Credit: Sandi Hemmerlein