Commuter Students
You are the road warriors of UF. Take time to make UF your home away from home. Below is some information to help you with your commuter student lifestyle.
Traffic Reports
See up-to-date traffic crash reports on the Florida Highway Patrol's website. Typically, University Avenue, Newberry Road, Archer Road, 34th Street and 13th Street have some congestion, especially from 7 - 9 a.m. and 4 - 7 p.m. Plan around these high-volume times or take a different route to get to and from class.
Parking info
You must purchase a parking permit from UF Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) to park on campus weekdays between 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. After 4:30 p.m. and all day on weekends, most, but not all, parking restrictions are lifted. Please note, there is no overnight or storage parking allowed for students living off campus, even with a TAPS permit. For more information on parking decals and commuting options, visit the TAPS website.
Most apartment complexes and rental houses provide parking. In some apartments, especially properties within close proximity to campus, parking is limited and will often require an additional monthly cost. There is City of Gainesville garage parking available that allows for storage and overnight parking. To learn more, visit the City of Gainesville website.
In addition to parking on campus, you can park at the Oaks Mall for free, then take an RTS bus to campus. Also, some businesses in the College Park area sell parking sports for either an entire semester or per day.
RTS Bus System
RTS, Gainesville's local bus system, is available to UF students for free. Routes run all over campus and Gainesville. To ride for free, students must present their GATORONE ID card to the driver. For bus routes and maps, visit the RTS website.
Scheduling
Try to arrange your class and work schedule so you don't have long waiting time gaps between classes and shifts. If you can't arrange your schedule this way, use the time efficiently by studying or doing homework. Avoid having to drive back and forth from home by making your schedule more compact. Many on-campus jobs will work around your class schedule, so look into this option if you want to gain work experience make some cash and get involved on campus. Visit the jobs webpage to learn more about student employment.
Noteworthy Places on Campus
The UF libraries, Reitz Union, Newell Hall and the HUB are great spots to rest or do work in-between classes. Bring your laptop and use the free Wi-Fi connections to get some work done during your downtime.
Getting Connected
Get involved on campus by joining a student organization, getting a campus job, researching, etc. You can also go to campus-sponsored speakers, performances, museum exhibits, sporting events, the gym and so much more. Investing time in UF will enrich your college experience, but remember not to spread yourself too thin. To search the 1,000+ student organizations, visit the Student Engagement website.