1. Home
  2. FAQ

FAQ

Got questions about commuting to Rutgers–New Brunswick? Here's what you need to know about buses, parking, campus involvement, and more. Browse the topics below, or reach out to Commuter Student Life if you don't see your question.

What should I bring with me each day?

We recommend bringing the following items each day:

Laptop, Refillable water bottle, Umbrella, Rutgers ID, Snacks, Charger, Phone

How can I avoid traffic and parking delays?

Check NJ traffic apps for the latest on major roads and scarletmail for any RU traffic and parking updates.

What advice do experienced Rutgers commuters wish they had known?

The best advice for a new commuter student at Rutgers New Brunswick is to master campus transit timing, secure a parking permit early, and actively join student groups to avoid feeling isolated.

Join student organizations: It is harder to make friends as a commuter, so join clubs or student groups right away to meet people with similar hobbies.

Explore the dedicated commuter lounges: Hang out in designated spaces like the commuter areas in the student centers to rest between classes and meet other students who commute. Commuter lounges are in the Livingston and Douglass Student Centers.

Stay on campus longer: Do not rush straight home after your last morning class. Staying on campus to study or attend afternoon events helps you feel like a true part of the school community.

How do Rutgers buses work?

Rutgers campus buses operate as a free, continuous one-way loop system connecting the different New Brunswick and Piscataway campuses, requiring no fare or ID during normal hours. Riders track real-time locations via the official tracking platform and app (TripShot) and navigate specific letter-coded routes (like LX, A, H, and F) to get between College Avenue, Busch, Livingston, and Cook/Douglass.

How early should I arrive on campus and how long does it take to get between campuses?

We highly recommend giving yourself plenty of time to travel from home to campus. Arriving to campus 45-60 minutes before the start of your first class will give you time to park on your designated campus and get the bus to your class. Traveling between campuses at Rutgers New Brunswick takes about 15 to 40 minutes on average via the campus buses. Commuting between adjacent or well-connected spots like College Avenue and Livingston takes 15 to 20 minutes, while cross-system trips like Busch to Cook/Douglass can stretch past 40 to 55 minutes during peak rush hours.

Where can I study between classes?

The best places to study between classes at Rutgers New Brunswick depend on your current campus, with top options including student centers, campus libraries, and academic buildings.

Is there a commuter lounge?

Yes, there are two dedicated commuter lounges on campus at the Livingston and Douglass Student Centers. The Office of Commuter Student Life is also at Livingston, so we highly recommend visiting us for resources, event opportunities or just to connect with other commuter students.

What's the best way to balance commuting with campus involvement?

Balancing commuting with campus involvement is mostly about being intentional with your time. Commuter students often have less flexibility, but many still build strong friendships, join organizations, and gain leadership experience by planning around their travel.

Here are some strategies that tend to work well:

  • Cluster your schedule. If possible, arrange classes on fewer days or back-to-back. That leaves larger blocks of time for clubs, office hours, or campus events without requiring extra trips.
  • Choose one or two meaningful commitments. Instead of trying to attend many organizations, pick activities that align with your goals or interests. Consistency is usually more valuable than spreading yourself thin.
  • Use time between classes. Rather than heading home immediately, use gaps to study, meet classmates, attend a club meeting, or visit professors during office hours.
  • Plan your commute productively. If you're on public transportation, you can review notes, read, or listen to recorded lectures or educational podcasts. If you drive, audiobooks or course-related audio can make the trip more useful.
  • Stay connected digitally. Many student organizations use messaging apps, email, or social platforms to coordinate. Participating online can help you stay informed even when you're not on campus.
  • Build relationships during the day. Grab lunch with classmates, study in the library, or chat before class. Small, regular interactions often lead to lasting friendships without requiring evening activities.
  • Have a backup plan for transportation. Traffic, weather, or transit delays happen. Giving yourself a buffer can reduce stress and make it easier to commit to campus activities.
Where can I eat if I don't have a meal plan?

If you don't have a meal plan, you still have plenty of options at Rutgers–New Brunswick.

You do not need a meal plan to eat at Rutgers dining halls or most retail dining locations. You can pay with credit/debit, cash, or RU Express.

Some popular on-campus options include:

  • Neilson Dining Hall (Cook/Douglass) – All-you-can-eat dining hall that accepts walk-in payment.
  • Busch Faculty Dining Hall (Busch) – Buffet-style dining hall with guest pricing.
  • Harvest IFNH (Cook) – Café with sandwiches, salads, soups, coffee, and grab-and-go items.
  • Cook's Market & Cafe – Convenient for snacks and quick meals.
  • The retail restaurants in the College Ave Student Center and at The Yard offer a variety of quick-service options.

If you're a commuter or live off campus, Rutgers also offers optional 50-, 75-, and 100-meal plans, but you're not required to buy one. For students who only eat on campus occasionally, paying as you go is often the more economical choice.

Additionally, there are many retail food vendors adjacent to campus on College Avenue as well as on the Livingston Campus.

Many libraries and academic buildings also house food vendors including the Café West in the Academic Building on College Avenue and The GoodRx Café located inside the atrium of the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy (William Levine Hall) on the Busch Campus.

Check out Places to Eat | Dining Services - Division of Student Affairs | Rutgers University-New Brunswick for a full list of food options.

How do I join clubs as a commuter?

Commuter students are welcome to join any of the 900+ student organizations, intramural and club sports and fraternities/sororities on campus. The best way to do this is to attend the annual Involvement Fair so you can speak with various student leaders and sign up for upcoming meetings. Meetings occur 7 days a week at all different times so that they can fit into your schedule.

You are also highly encouraged to download the new Suitable app. Once you download the app, you are going to sign in either using Single Sign on if it's offered, or your school email address. Please use NETID@rutgers.edu. Do not add scarletmail after the @ symbol. From there, you can either look at our full list of organizations (alphabetized) or search organizations with keywords. For instance, if you want to join a business organization, you can search the word "Business" and any org with that in the title will pop up.

Can commuters use the recreation centers?

Yes, the recreation centers are open to all Rutgers – New Brunswick students:

  • College Avenue Gym
  • Cook/Douglass Recreation Center
  • Livingston Recreation Center
  • Sonny Werblin Recreation Center (Busch)
  • Rutgers Fitness Center at Easton Avenue

You can also participate in many Fitness & Wellness classes at no additional cost. Visit Home | Recreation - Division of Student Affairs | Rutgers University-New Brunswick for more information.

Can I attend campus events if I don't live on campus?

Yes. Commuter students are encouraged to attend on-campus events at Rutgers–New Brunswick, and you have access to the vast majority of student activities, organizations, and traditions just like residential students.

Some opportunities available to commuter students include:

Being a commuter doesn't limit your ability to participate in campus life—it just may take a bit more planning to fit events into your schedule. Many commuter students build strong friendships and become active in clubs, student government, intramural sports, and campus traditions throughout their time at Rutgers.

How do I find my classroom?

Finding your classrooms at Rutgers–New Brunswick gets much easier once you know how to read your schedule and use the campus maps.

Here's a simple process:

  1. Check your class location in your schedule. Your schedule will list the campus, building abbreviation, and room number (for example, "ABE-2400" or "TIL-258").
  2. Use the Rutgers campus maps. Rutgers provides interactive campus maps where you can search for academic buildings. You can also view classroom locations under the Academics destination category.
  3. Look up unfamiliar buildings. If you're unsure where a building is, Rutgers' Classroom Finder lets you search by building code or room number and shows the building location on a map: Classrooms | Digital Classroom Services.
  4. Plan for travel between campuses. If two classes are on different campuses (such as Busch and College Avenue), use the Rutgers bus system. The TripShot and myRutgers apps show bus routes, stop locations, and real-time arrivals.
  5. Visit your classrooms before the semester starts. If possible, walk through your schedule a day or two before classes begin. It helps you estimate travel times, locate entrances, and avoid first-day stress. Many Rutgers students find this especially helpful.
  6. As a tip, the room number usually indicates the floor. For example, room 103 is typically on the first floor, while 2400 is generally on the second floor, though some buildings have unique numbering systems.
Who should I contact if I have a question about commuting?

Commuter Student Life is the official advocacy office for all commuter students at Rutgers – New Brunswick. Connect with us for all of your commuter student needs. Stop in and see us in Room 102 in the Livingston Student Center or email us at commuterlife@rutgers.edu. Follow us on IG @ rucommuterstudentlife.