The Early Semester Parking Guide is your go-to resource for parking and transportation information during the first few weeks of the semester. These tips will help you plan ahead, avoid peak traffic, and make your trip to campus as smooth as possible. 

Traffic is typically heaviest during the first few weeks of the semester and decreases as the semester progresses.

For Parking-related questions, contact or visit the Talon One Service Center.  

Before You Arrive

Plan for the Busiest Times on Campus

Tuesdays and Thursdays are the busiest class days on both campuses, with the number of students in class typically peaking between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. students should also plan for increased vehicular traffic in and around both campuses.

Mondays and Wednesdays generally experience lighter enrollment, but those traveling to campus should still plan for increased vehicular traffic between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Review Enrollment Patterns

Use the drop-down menus below to view class enrollment by day and time on the Kennesaw and Marietta campuses. These graphs highlight the busiest times on campus based on scheduled class enrollment. 

 

Kennesaw Campus

  • The graph below shows student class enrollment by one-hour increments, highlighting the busiest times on campus. 

    monday and wednesday enrollment density by hour on kennesaw campus

  • The graph below shows student class enrollment by one-hour increments, highlighting the busiest times on campus. 

    tuesday and thursday enrollment density by hour on kennesaw campus

 

Marietta Campus

  • The graph below shows student class enrollment by one-hour increments, highlighting the busiest times on campus. 

    monday and wednesday enrollment density by hour on marietta campus

  • The graph below shows student class enrollment by one-hour increments, highlighting the busiest times on campus.

     

    tuesday and thursday enrollment density by hour on marietta campus

 

Plan to Arrive Early

If you're coming to campus during peak times, allow extra time to:

  • Travel to campus.
  • Navigate to upper levels of parking decks.  
  • Ride the Big Owl Bus or Cobb Linc between campuses.
  • Ride or walk from your parking area to class

Frey Road on the Kennesaw Campus and parking decks on both campuses experience some of the highest traffic volumes during peak class times. Allow extra time to reach your destination, particularly during the first few weeks of the semester.  

Heavy pedestrian traffic and vehicles entering and exiting parking spaces can slow traffic inside the decks. Lower levels usually fill up first, so be prepared to park on the upper levels, which require additional time to navigate to.  

 

ksu central deck parking entrance

Know Your Parking Areas 

Before bringing a vehicle to campus, review the parking maps for both campuses and familiarize yourself with your permitted parking area(s). Knowing where you can park before you arrive will save you time and help you navigate campus with confidence.

 

Not sure where you can park? Visit the Student Permit page and select your permit type to view your permitted parking areas.

 

Before You Park

Purchase a Parking Permit

A parking permit is required before a student vehicle arrives on campus. Log into the Parking Portal, register your vehicle, and purchase your parking permit. You will only see parking areas with permits currently available for purchase.

Visit our website for a complete list of permit types and costs, parking maps, and additional information.

After purchasing your permit and registering your vehicle, be sure to keep your vehicle and license plate information up to date. KSU uses License Plate Recognition (LPR) to monitor parking on campus, with your license plate serving as your virtual parking permit.

If you choose not to purchase a parking permit, you may park in pay-by-plate hourly parking areas by paying for the time you are parked. Spaces are available on a first come, first serve basis. A valid fall permit is still required in all other parking areas.

Learn How to Avoid Citations

KSU has increased enforcement efforts to ensure permit holders have access to park in their permitted area. The three most common citations are easy to avoid!  

  • Purchase a parking permit  
  • Park in your permitted area only.  
  • Don’t back in or pull through parking spaces.

If you’d prefer to back in, front license plates are available for $15. To purchase one, please submit a Front License Plate Request Form. A team member will be in touch when your front license plate is available for pick up.

Review the full list of Rules and Regulations so you can avoid receiving a citation!

Parking Rules and Regulations

 

Ride the Big Owl Bus and CobbLinc 

Big Owl Bus Logo
CobbLinc Logo

 

Consider taking the Big Owl Bus or CobbLinc instead of driving your vehicle to campus. Both are convenient transportation options for traveling around and between both campuses.

The Big Owl Bus Kennesaw/Marietta Route and CobbLinc’s Rapid 10 provide service between the Kennesaw and Marietta campuses, while additional routes serve locations on and around each campus.  

Please note that the Kennesaw/Marietta route will travel on I-75 or Hwy 41 based on real-time traffic conditions and Big Owl Bus occupancy. Download the Passio GO! and the myStop Mobile apps to track buses in real time.  

 

Off-Campus Community Residents

If you live in off-campus student housing with shuttle service, take the Big Owl Bus instead of driving your vehicle to campus! 
 
The Big Owl Bus has stops at these off-campus housing locations: 

  • Copper Social 
  • SOVA 
  • The Blake 
  • The Indy 
  • Yugo Pavilion Kennesaw (formerly The Retreat)
  • The Nest (formerly UClub on Frey) 
  • Parliament (formerly UPointe) 
  • West 22 

Visit the Big Owl Bus webpage for more information on routes.

 

Once You Arrive 

Stay Informed

Visit the Parking and Transportation News website throughout the semester for the latest Parking and Transportation news, service updates, route changes, construction impacts, and important announcements throughout the academic year.

Parking and Transportation News

Need Help?  

For general Parking and Transportation questions, visit our FAQ page for answers to common questions. If you need additional assistance or have a question not addressed on our website, contact the Talon One Service Center at talonone@kennesaw.edu or (470) 578-8663 (T-ONE).

Talon One Service Centers are located in both student centers and are open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. for in-person assistance.