The week students return to campus is notoriously troublesome for Champaign-Urbana locals trying to navigate the community. Consider this a PSA that those days are just around the corner, and use this as a mini guide to maneuvering the area.
Early arrival begins for select students on August 14-15th, followed by living learning communities on August 16th. Official move in day begins with freshman and first year students on August 17-18, and returning students and the rest of campus August 19-21.
Apart from the very earliest date (which commences at high noon), the mayhem begins by 8:30 am each day.
Those concerned about road closures and traffic increases can consult the University Housing Move-In Website. Google Maps and our other satellite navigation ally’s may not be very accurate in this chaotic window of time. However, a general rule of thumb for the above dates is to try and avoid the campus grid (1st street-Kirby-Lincoln-Green) between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on the peak days of August 17-20.
The hot spots of note are listed below:
- Kirby/Florida Avenue
- Pennsylvania Avenue
- Stadium Drive
- Gregory Drive
- Green Street, especially from the I-74, I-72, and I-57 ramps
Good luck, and stay safe out there.
Top image by University of Illinois Housing.