Easton (Williams Township) to Princeton Univ. drive? (Washington, Doylestown: home, university)

[wevito]

Hi, my husband will start a job at Lehigh University and we are looking to move somehwere between there and Princeton Univ. where I'll be. Does anyone do the Easton (Williams township) to Princeton U. commute? From google maps I see it would take me 1.25 hrs driving through 78 then 206. Is this true? is traffic bad? I've heard some people say it's shorter, maybe 45mins? Our other option is living in Doylestown, but there are no big highways to Princeton, and that would take 45mins but with traffic on a one lane road...that doesn't sound too practical ... any ideas? Any comment/idea/examples will help!
Thanks.

[ichiroll]

My wife and I both grew up in Princeton Junction, and both our families are still there so we go back often, almost once a week. I just happen to live in Williams Township also, making me a perfect candidate to answer your question.

First things first, do not take I-78 into Rt. 206. Both highways are very bad with traffic. There is NOO way you will get to Princeton in the amount of time Google says you will. Maybe 1 hour and a half if you're lucky.

The best route to Princeton would be to take Rt 611 S and follow that along the river onto Rt. 32. Cross the river into NJ at Milford or Frenchtown take Rt 12 E into Flemington. Could take Croton Rd S so you can bypass Flemington and go directly into Rt 31 headed toward Pennington. Then take Rt 518 E into Hopewell, then Carter or Great Rd into Princeton. This route would get you into Princeton in just about an hour.

I've been doing this for more than 3 years now, so I've trimmed the route wherever I can to about 55min, but I don't think you can get there much quicker than that.

During off-traffic hours you could take Rt. 78 to Rt. 31 in Clinton, but even then I still wouldn't advise Rt. 206. Rt. 206 is almost always busy.

I've grown used to driving the route, but some people don't like it since there are many winding roads and can't just flip cruise on and run for 50 miles.

Given from what you had said about taking one lane roads, it's not ideal, but the good thing is most of these roads have little to no traffic.

Doylestown is good, but I think it takes almost 45 min from Lehigh Univeristy, and about the same or maybe even more to Princeton. I guess it's a more "central" location to both of your work locations though. I can't comment much more than about Doylestown.

Let me know if you have any additional questions about the Williams Township <-> Princeton commute.

[wevito]

thanks ichiroll, that was definitely helpful, and very detailed. It is so hard to decide! So, I would be driving to Princeton University, on Washington Road, one other detail is that I will be doing a postdoc, which means I do not have to be in at 9 and out by 5, I could leave home by 9 and then drive back at 7 or 8. Do you think traffic would be better at these times? I guess you mentioned I could take I-78 and 31 in that case. I'm a bit concerned with small roads in the dark (and deer)? though I do like driving and don't mind winding roads...
Also, my husband and I just got married and we were wondering how you like life in Williams township. I've heard Easton has some not so nice areas, but some other nicer ones (we did drive through Easton but we didn't know where to go). As for Doylestown, the downtown is nice, lots of restaurants and small shops but again, the drive would be close to an hour I guess. We're still looking for places in both areas, prices don't seem to be too different either. All other areas we've looked are a bit isolated (where coming from Philly).

[ichiroll]

In the morning I would avoid Rt 78, and avoid Rt 31 if you're returning home around 5pm. Otherwise, I think traffic is a pretty much non-issue as long as you don't get stuck behind an occasional truck (since it is a one-lane road).

I do share the same concerns when driving after dark, so at those times I usually opt to take 31-N all the way up to Clinton and hop onto I-78.

My wife and I are enjoying Williams Township a lot. We moved out here from Princeton 3 years ago when we got married.

Easton the city itself does have it's shady areas, but the area has developed little by little since we've moved by the addition of small stores and restaurants (mainly around the circle). I also enjoy the few miles separating Easton and Williams Township gives us a peace of mind and a feeling of safety. If you just look at Williams Township, you couldn't guess that Easton was so close up Rt 611.

Don't expect a LOT to do here though. My wife and I like to stay home and relax most of the time and go to Easton and surrounding areas in the Lehigh Valley for dinner, etc.

Any other questions, let me know. Goodluck in your search!