Getting Around Princeton: Jughandles, turnpikes and transit
Commutes, congestion, transit, and parking: what getting around Princeton really takes.



Diane, Our Local Expert Guiding Your Move
Diane has been rooted in New Jersey since day one and has lived everywhere from Hillside to Elizabeth to Springfield before landing in Fanwood. When she and her family moved into their current place, she was very pregnant and still refused to stop lifting boxes or scrubbing things because she wanted it done right. She is the kind of New Jerseyan who can talk about Revolutionary War history, walk you through Duke Gardens, or recommend the best apple picking without checking a map. Her food loyalties are fierce, especially when it comes to pork roll on a hard roll with melted cheese, though she will happily join any naming debate. She is a lifelong reader who once tried to leave the library with more books than her card allowed. She even crossed paths with Sinatra during an honorary degree event at Stevens. At Snappy Scout she brings sharp local insight with a Jersey wink.
Read moreWritten with local insight from Snappy Scout relocation experts
How Do You Get Around Princeton?
Commutes, congestion, transit, and parking: the daily logistics nobody puts on the listing.
The time I spend getting to/from work every day is
Dinky to NJ Transit, latte still warm
Traffic congestion areas to avoid
Nassau Street at school drop off, Route 1 near Carnegie Center
Ability to get around without a car
Downtown yes. Suburbs no. Winters test your bike loyalty
Locals dream of driving around in a
vintage Volvo wagon, smelling faintly of tenure and artisanal granola
The reality is that most locals drive
Subaru Outbacks with NPR stickers and lacrosse sticks rattling
Quirky local driving habit
Yielding to deer like they have tenure too
The likelihood of finding parking
Downtown Nassau Street, mythical. Spring Street Garage saves weekends
#1 driving tip
Master jughandles. Respect cyclists in orange and black
Where I Go for a Quiet Escape
The D&R towpath is a great retreat in any season. In autumn the leaves are spectacular, the winter starkness is inspiring, you can see the flowers and leaves begin to pop in spring and the breeze and shade make summer comfortable.


— Diane Briante
New Jersey Local Expert


Ready to See If Princeton Fits You?
Compare neighborhoods, check the routes, or head back to the full Princeton guide for the bigger picture.