Getting Around Gainesville
What You Should Know Before Renting In Gainesville
There’s a lot to know about getting around Gainesville, so we’ll try to keep it brief. Overall, there are multiple methods of travel and multiple routes to take. Each option has pros and cons, with the best likely being a combo of two or more.
Walking is good for people who live really close to (or on) campus. While you can survive without a car in Gainesville, you’ll probably want to combine walking with one of the below options. For example, for nighttime walking on campus, try SNAP (Student Nightime Auxillary Patrol). Just call 392-7627 (392-SNAP) to get a ride or a walking escort anywhere on campus.
Biking is an even better way to get around. Although there are a handful of cons (getting caught in the rain, carrying a heavy backpack, dodging cars and pedestrians), biking to and from (and around) campus is extremely efficient and convenient.
It doesn’t take long to discover the best roads for bike lanes and without major hills, and you’ll soon be on your way to avoiding traffic delays and the joys of finding a parking spot. And if you register your bike with the UF Police Department, get a good lock, and use lights at night, you’ll find that biking is one of the best (and cheapest) ways to travel in Gainesville for much of the time. Check surplus.ufl.edu for abandoned bikes.
Of course, sometimes you might want to sit down and let a motor do the work for you. For this, you might get a scooter or motorcycle, which have both really jumped in popularity on campus recently. These are like a cross between the perks of a bike and the perks of a car: They can be easier and closer to park, yet they move faster (and with less effort) than a bike. Like a car, they do require a campus decal, albeit cheaper. However, like a bike, a scooter won’t accommodate a load of groceries or a rainy day, and you’ll want to wear a helmet and stay out of high-speed lanes. But they can be more economical. Check with Road Rat Motors scooters if you have more questions about scooters.
This brings us to riding the bus, a rite of passage for most students. We’ll let you see our article on public transportation for more on that. We do want to add that riding a bike to and from a bus stop is super convenient, as your bike can ride on the bus with you.
Finally, getting around by car is probably the most common option. The benefits of having your own car are obvious. Keep in mind that driving to school is rarely convenient; you’ll likely park in the commuter lot and catch a bus or make a hike to class. And, naturally, they sell more parking decals than spots, so peak hours mean that all that time saved might be lost as soon as you get to campus. Just two suggestions… drive the speed limit & don’t try to pass any busses. The Gainesville Police Department doesn’t issue warnings.
TIPS
Gainesville is set up in a really simple grid, so once you figure out your north-south, east-west, you’ll know where you are in the universe. Major east-west passages are University Avenue, Archer Road, and 39th Avenue in the north. North-west streets include Main Street, 13th Street, and 24th Street.
All avenues and roads in Gainesville run east-west (except Tower Road for some reason), and all streets and terraces run north-south. Then, if Gainesville were set up into four quadrants, the center would be at the intersection of Main Street and University Avenue. From there, you can easily figure it out. Depending which quadrant you’re in, you are either the northwest, northeast, southwest or southeast. And, the larger the number of the road, the farther you are from the center. Get it?
Finally, it’s helpful to learn that many secondary roads run parallel to the primaries, and they can help avoid traffic. Some of our favorites includes North 8th Avenue, SW 2nd Avenue, 6th Street, and Williston Road (for circumnavigating the west part of town) or I-75 (for quickly traveling from the northwest to the southwest). Try it sometime—it really does save time.
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