If you need to drive toward Center City or get on the Schuylkill Expressway this weekend It might be a good idea to avoid Market Street. Drexel University’s commencement and student move-out is this weekend (they are on the quarter system so they finish a little later than other schools) and portions of Market and Powelton from 32nd to 34th will be heavily congested today through Sunday afternoon.

The university issued this warning:

Beginning Thursday, June 9 and continuing through Sunday, June 12, 2011, Drexel University will be holding its annual Commencement Ceremonies in the Daskalaskis Athletic Center located at 3300 Market Street. At the same time students will be moving out of the residence halls. As a result, there will be parking restrictions and street closures in effect from 32nd to 34th Streets and Market Street to Powelton Avenue.

Drexel Police will be assisting with traffic. Please avoid these areas if possible and seek alternate routes. Expect traffic congestion when traveling to and from University City.

Unfortunately, they won’t be more specific on exact times, so maybe it’s just better to avoid it all together. Spruce Street and the South Street on and off ramps are the way to go.