On holiday weekends, this is the overflow for the overflow
Overflow Lot 2 at Reno–Tahoe International usually only opens when the Main Terminal Garage, Surface Lot, and first overflow sections start to fill during peak travel days. It sits in the same airport complex serving the Main terminal, so you’re still on airport property, just pushed a bit farther out when demand spikes around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and summer weekends.
This is basic surface parking with no covered spots, usually set up as standard self-park rows marked with temporary signs when the airport activates Overflow Lot 2. Because it’s an auxiliary area, you won’t see dedicated amenities like EV chargers or pay-on-foot kiosks; payment typically follows the same daily rate structure as other overflow parking at RNO, so expect budget-tier pricing rather than garage-level fees.
Figure on a longer walk or shuttle ride from Overflow Lot 2 to the Main terminal doors compared with the regular Surface Lot, especially when the airport is dealing with peak-day traffic flows. The exact walking time depends on where staff direct you within the lot, but plan for at least several extra minutes beyond what you’d need from the closer overflow areas, plus TSA time inside the Main terminal.
Overflow Lot 2 generally opens only during those crunch windows when cars are being turned away from the standard lots, so signage and staff at the airport entrance on National Guard Way and Plumb Lane will direct you if it’s in use. You won’t typically see it listed prominently on day-to-day parking maps, so treat it as a backup plan instead of your primary RNO parking choice.
Practical tip: On peak mornings, aim to hit the airport 30–40 minutes earlier than usual if you think you’ll be pushed to Overflow Lot 2, so the extra distance to the Main terminal doesn’t eat into your boarding time.