What's the best route to take from Millburn to the Verrazano Bridge? (Newark: airport)

[Panner]

Both Google maps and the GPS in my car direct me to I-78 east but then bring me through either Elizabeth or Newark before getting onto I-278 east. Is there a better way to get there? I thought I could go I-78 east to I-95 south to I-278 east but it doesn't come up that way when I try to get directions.

I'm new to the area and NJ and I'm still trying to figure things out. When I returned to NJ from NY/Verrazano Bridge over the weekend, my GPS took me through Elizabeth and it was a long inconvenient ride back to Millburn, and Google wasn't any better. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[lastinshow]

You may be selecting the shortest route option. Choose either the fastest or the one using the most highways.

[captne76]

This is where I-278 would have run directly from / to, but it got dropped many decades ago.
Anyway You can either take US 1 & 9 or the NJ Turnpike between I-78 and the Goethals Bridge.

So I-78 to the Turnpike south to exit 13, NOT 13A.

Or if you despise tolls like me, I-78 to US 1&9 South, you can take the Newark Airport exit off I-78, then 1&9, then there are 3 different ways to take the few blocks between 1&9 and the bridge.
a) cut off early, cross 1&9
b)take NJ439 at the circle, or
c) continue South a short bit and take the traffic light U turn to get directly on I-278 from 1&9 near Linden.

[Panner]

Thanks for the information. I've lost count of all the wrong turns I've made since I've been in NJ the past few days, but by getting lost I've seen a lot of different places (some of which I've read about on here).

[captne76]

Geez, evil racist censor Google Maps is sort of clueless about this too. The first option they tell you is to go through Bayonne and the Bayonne Bridge, which is ok, but I wouldn't usually go that way unless the Goethals is hopelessly jammed.
Then they claim driving through Elizabeth streets is only a minute longer, ha ha, I guess they don't count waiting for traffic lights which could take a LOT longer.

This is one of my suggested ways, 78 to 1/9 directly to the beginning of I-278, which is not marked in that direction. You take a left turn at a traffic light in the middle of 1/9 where the refinery entrance is and 278 begins right there, a few feet away:
Millburn, NJ to Staten Island, NY - Google Maps

Second option differs in just taking Bayway Ave (NJ 439) to the bridge from the circle on 1/9. A few lights there to contend with:
Millburn, NJ to Staten Island, NY - Google Maps

Third option is something like this, but hard to replicated in Noogle Maps, since at one point you make a K turn after exiting 1/9 to cut across 1/9 and head across the highway to the bridge. This map shows a variation one block further than you have to go:
Millburn, NJ to Staten Island, NY - Google Maps

BTW, I-278 was originally supposed to run from I-78 near Springfield & Maplewood directly to the Goethals Bridge. Only the part from 1/9 was ever built & the rest got dropped way back in the 60's, so you have to deal with these shortcuts & variations.

[captne76]

If you break down and pay the NJ Pike toll, it's 60 cents from 13A to 13 or $1.00 from 14 to 13.
1/9 has no lights from 78 to the Pike entrance at 13A, that way is 60 cents.
It's more about the whole principle of tolls that I don't agree with, plus the hassle of 2 more toll booths to contend with, even with EZPass.
Looks like this on evil racist censor Google maps:
Millburn, NJ to Staten Island, NY - Google Maps

I suppose your biggest toll would be the Verrazanno, but that one is Eastbound only, yet quite steep, around $13.
I'd drive back across lower Manhattan to avoid that totally most of the time.

[captne76]

Also I just noticed Google Maps, and maybe the database that runs your GPS does not allow you to go from I-78 East to I-95 directly, which is and has always been a valid option.
If I get time I may report that to the eeeevil demon racist censors ,
but that seems to be why they route you through Bayonne or all around the place other ways.

[mrmocha413]

Take I-78 all the way to the end, and hop on 440 south over the Bayonne Bridge into Staten Island, then get on the Staten Island Expressway towards Brooklyn/Verrazano Bridge

[maestrosteve]

Originally Posted by captne76

I suppose your biggest toll would be the Verrazanno, but that one is Eastbound only, yet quite steep, around $13.
I'd drive back across lower Manhattan to avoid that totally most of the time.

The toll on the VZ is WESTBOUND.
Of course you meant it. Otherwise why would you go thru Manhattan to get back to NJ if not to avoid a westbound toll?

[captne76]

Correct, one hits the toll driving from Brooklyn to Staten I.