[rahdirsv]

I am considering commuting from CT (Wethersfield) to NJ (Rahway) on a daily basis (for a temporary assignment lasting a couple of months). I know it sounds crazy but there are reasons why I HAVE TO do it. I have a few questions and any suggestions will be appreciated:

- Mapquest tells me its a 2-1/2 hour drive one-way - Is this a real figure considering peak hour traffic and the fact I have to pass by New York city?

- What are my other options - Can anybody tell me if there is any train connection that runs through from say, New Haven to New Jersey or something?

Any ideas and suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

[ME43]

You could try checking the schedule for Amtrack into penn station and then pick up a New jersey transit/PATH train. I know they both operate out of Penn Station, but have no specific knowledge regarding the schedule, plus I don't know how you would get from the station in new Jersey to your work location?

[skytrekker]

Originally Posted by rahdirsv

I am considering commuting from CT (Wethersfield) to NJ (Rahway) on a daily basis (for a temporary assignment lasting a couple of months). I know it sounds crazy but there are reasons why I HAVE TO do it. I have a few questions and any suggestions will be appreciated:

- Mapquest tells me its a 2-1/2 hour drive one-way - Is this a real figure considering peak hour traffic and the fact I have to pass by New York city?

- What are my other options - Can anybody tell me if there is any train connection that runs through from say, New Haven to New Jersey or something?

Any ideas and suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

2.5 hours is possible- under nearly perfect conditions- but in the real world this is more often not the case. Hartford to Stamford is over an hour on a good day. If you take I 84 to Danbury-then I 684- about the same, then I 287 I 87 south as an alternative to I 91 and I 95.

From Stamford or Danbury by auto another 50 minutes at least into NYC- probably more- so thats over 2 hours.

Crossing Manhattan and getting on I 95 south- at least another 45 minutes.
I feel 3 hours is more realistic- and thats on a good day.

[ctman1987]

Considering Rahway is minutes from NYC id definitly allow lots of extra time for traffic in and around New York City. I live in Wethersfield but go to school in NYC and can say I have spent lots of time in traffic in and around the city - on the Merritt Parkway, I-95, George Washington Bridge, West Side Highway - basically plan ahead and good luck.

[junk2k06]

Get the routing using I-84/I-684 to Rahway, avoid I-95 at all cost during the business hours. I would say, take the train if possible.

[rahdirsv]

Well, thank you so much all!

I have a better idea now and should try out all the options, including taking the train.

Thanks again!

[toddb]

I did the commute from Fairfield, CT to Piscataway, NJ for a while and it was miserable. If I left Fairfield at any time after 6:15AM, the drive was BAD. I've made the trip in about 90 minutes without any traffic, but leaving at 6:30AM would take me just under 2h. Leaving at 7AM would take me 2h30m or more sometimes. Coming home, you would need to hit Westchester before 3PM or after 8PM, or else it turns into a parking lot. This gets even worse in the summer time, especially on Fridays, when everything Northbound packs up by 12 or 1.

And, all of this was completely avoiding 95 -- that's so much worse. I would take the Merritt Pkwy S to the Hutchinson, to the Cross County, to the Saw Mill, to the GWB and then the NJTurnpike most of the rest of the way. Once I got across the bridge it was easy driving -- there's rarely traffic southbound/outbound in the morning.


If you have the option of taking the train, it may take you about as long as driving but the pleasure of Metro North (especially compared to NJTransit :vomit and the ease of not driving and sitting in HOURS of traffic would be worth the cost.

[reason180]

It is about a 35 to 40 minute train ride via NJ Transit from Penn Station to Rahway. You could take Metro-North from New Haven to Grand Central and then walk or take the subway to Penn Station.

Another option would be to check craigslist for a share in Jersey or maybe Staten Island or Brooklyn.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by reason180

It is about a 35 to 40 minute train ride via NJ Transit from Penn Station to Rahway. You could take Metro-North from New Haven to Grand Central and then walk or take the subway to Penn Station.

I agree with Reason180 that this is how you would have to go if you want to use mass-transit, but if you add up the time this takes you are talking over 3 and a half hours each way. That is a very LONG commute.

Driving will take over 2 and a half each way without traffic. And there will be traffic. I agree with Reason180's suggestion, look for a rental share nearby and save your car and your sanity. Good luck, Jay

[hln917]

You can take Amtrak from New Haven to the Metro Park stop in New Jersey, then probably take a cab to Rahway which is about 10 minutes away. Or you can take New Jersey transit to the Rahway stop.

It definitely won't be 2 1/2 hours during rush hour but you can bypass traveling thru NYC. Take Merrit Pkwy to 287 to Garden State Pkwy. Good luck!