Mastering the "Red Stick" Commute: Transit Tips

If you’ve lived in Baton Rouge for more than a day, you know that traffic is the city’s favorite topic of conversation. The "I-10/I-12 Split" is legendary, but as a savvy renter, you can navigate the city without losing your mind.

For those living near the LSU or Downtown corridors, the Gotcha bike-share program and the Downtown Trolley are excellent ways to bypass gridlock. If you rely on the Capital Area Transit System (CATS), be sure to use their real-time tracking apps to stay updated on schedule changes.

The secret to a stress-free commute in BR is "The Surface Road Strategy." Instead of hopping on the interstate for a three-mile trip, learn the major arteries: Acadian Thruway, Jefferson Highway, and Government Street. These routes may have stoplights, but they lack the unpredictable "parking lot" effect of the bridge during rush hour. Timing is also everything; leaving just 15 minutes earlier can save you 30 minutes of idling.