Commute Matawan to Madison (Summit, Springfield: lease, townhome, living in)

[jeriberi]

Hi, I am relocating to Matawan and I will be working at Wyeth in Madison. I plan on taking the Parkway. Can anyone tell me what I am looking at (travel time) as far as a commute?? From what I understand, I need to get over the Driscol Bridge before 7 a.m. I am planning to leave Matawan at 6:30 a.m.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!!!

[apvbguy]

Originally Posted by jeriberi

Hi, I am relocating to Matawan and I will be working at Wyeth in Madison. I plan on taking the Parkway. Can anyone tell me what I am looking at (travel time) as far as a commute?? From what I understand, I need to get over the Driscol Bridge before 7 a.m. I am planning to leave Matawan at 6:30 a.m.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!!!

no matter how you slice it that is a bad commute, am will be ok if you leave early, it's the pm commute that will do you in. Why are you moving to matawan if you're working up there?

[jeriberi]

Do you estimate my commute home to Matawan leaving around 4:00 to 4:30 to take me 2 hours??

[apvbguy]

Originally Posted by jeriberi

Do you estimate my commute home to Matawan leaving around 4:00 to 4:30 to take me 2 hours??

on some nights yes, in the summer it could even be longer, a little snow will really do you in. I used to live near matawan and worked in bedminister, after a year or so of murderous rides home I quit that job, like I asked, why matawan?

[BobKovacs]

Originally Posted by jeriberi

Do you estimate my commute home to Matawan leaving around 4:00 to 4:30 to take me 2 hours??

2 hours? Not every day- but I'm thinking an hour on average, with Fridays in the summer being 2+, and as said above, snow will make you want to just sleep under your desk rather than bothering to go home.

[MPBsr]

I happen to do that exact commute for the last 11+ years.

I know you might not want to hear this, but I leave 5am and make it to Madison in 50 minutes. Leaving around 6am or later could easily be over an hour.

There are times when I need to be in later and leave the house at 8:20am and can take an hour to hour and a half. There is no reason, why the difference, it just happens.

If the parkway is really bad, I take the turnpike to exit 14 and then 78 west to route 24. Otherwise, parkway to 139B, go around the cannon and head up to Morris Ave. Right turn on Springfield Ave to 78 west (This way you miss the toll).
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Heading home between 4:30 and 6:00 can be an adventure. It can take me 45 minutes or 1 1/2 hours+. You can never tell what's going to happen.
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Even during the Summer it could be hit or miss on the drive home.
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For the most part, it's never taken me more than 1:50 to get home and that's under the worst conditions. I also hope you have a 4wd as Madison is up in the hills. It can be raining in Summit and snowing heavy in Madison.
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I've learned over the years to even get to work or home without taking the parkway or turnpike. All streets.
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If you have any questions regarding the commute, Matawan or Madison, just ask.

[jeriberi]

I appreciate your advice very much! I am living in Matawan because my boyfriend has a townhome there and his lease expires next October. If, after one year it is unbearable, we will relocate closer to Madison.

I am minutes from the train. Granted I have to switch trains mid-way; my total commute would be 1 and a half in and 1 and 45 home. The company I will be working for has a shuttle from train to office. I will take the train on Fridays in the Summer, and when I am certain that bad weather is coming or if I wake to rain and snow. This is an opportunity of a lifetime and I am not passing it up.

Again, thanks very much!

[kungfulou]

LOL, good luck! You're going to need it with that trip. you may want to bring a tent and pillow and just sleep at work.

[jeriberi]

I have been commuting to Madison for two weeks, and I must say that I am pleasantly surprised. I am going in early, on the road by 6:20 and make to the office between 7:10 and 7:20. Going home, I am on the road between 4 and 4:15 and make it in 50 minutes to an hour. I have had some bad weather and two accidents and still made good time. I expect there to be bad days as it is early in the Winter and probably many more accidents to contend with, but so so far it's better than expected.

Fridays in the summer won't be so bad afterall. I go in early and am out by 11:30 a.m., so no need for a pillow after all. I am staying postive!

Thanks again for your comments and advice. I really appreciated it!