Best way to drive to Princeton Univ from NYC? (Trenton: car, station)

[Edge88]

What's the best way to get to Princeton Univ from the NYC area. I'm driving from Greenwich, CT to see my son play tennis this weekend. So I take 95S, do I get off at Exit #9 at New Brunswick and go down Rt #1? Is there a lot of traffic there? Or should I get off at Exit #8A toward Rt. 32? Then do I take Rt 681 or Rt 614 to get across to Rt #1? I have to make this trip Fri, Sat & Sun so I want to take the best route that locals suggest. Thanks.

[DodgeViper01]

You have a few choices:

NJ Turnpike Option #1
Take NJ Turnpike to Exit #9 and then Route 1 South to Princeton
During the weekends, Route 1 can be crowded, and even during the week because of all the lights. My opinion is to not take this route unless it is during an off peak hour.

NJ Turnpike Option #2
Take NJ Turnpike To Exit #7A onto 195 West (left after toll), to I-295 toward Trenton (Exit 60). After being on here for a little while there will be an exit for Route 1 which will put you right near Princeton. Although this seems a little confusing, this is the quickest way because all these highways are open and RARELY have traffic. I make it to Princeton from Exit #9 on the Turnpike via this route in about 30 minutes. I can only do this on Route 1 if I catch every green light and have no traffic or hold ups. This way is more efficent in my opinion.

[mcf17]

My route in the mornings is to get off at 8A, and cut across using Dey Rd and Scudders Mill Rd. It's not ideal, mostly because Dey Rd is a 2-lane highway, but it's a straight shot, and Scudders Mill will dump you onto Route 1 a block away from Harrison St, which you can take right into campus.

[luckyshoes]

Yep 9 or 8A. The one thing is there is the this nasty bottleneck called "The Merge" at Exit 8A where the truck and car lanes come together (six lanes into three).

Before exit 9, put on your radio to the Turnpike station (1610 AM) and see if there is a backup on Turnpike South at the merge. Then you can make your decision about either getting off at 9 and taking Route 1 down or continuing to 8A.

Or you could just get off at 9 and take Route 1 either way. As someone said, 8A swings you farther east, so you end up doing like 7 miles back across from 8A to get to Princeton.

[luckyshoes]

Originally Posted by DodgeViper01

You have a few choices:

NJ Turnpike Option #2
Take NJ Turnpike To Exit #7A onto 195 West (left after toll), to I-295 toward Trenton (Exit 60). After being on here for a little while there will be an exit for Route 1 which will put you right near Princeton. Although this seems a little confusing, this is the quickest way because all these highways are open and RARELY have traffic. I make it to Princeton from Exit #9 on the Turnpike via this route in about 30 minutes. I can only do this on Route 1 if I catch every green light and have no traffic or hold ups. This way is more efficent in my opinion.

7A to Princeton. Hmmm. I could see that I guess, but then you are going to have to do The Merge and travel quite a bit back west to Princeton. Interesting.

[Edge88]

Originally Posted by luckyshoes

Yep 9 or 8A. The one thing is there is the this nasty bottleneck called "The Merge" at Exit 8A where the truck and car lanes come together (six lanes into three).

Before exit 9, put on your radio to the Turnpike station (1610 AM) and see if there is a backup on Turnpike South at the merge. Then you can make your decision about either getting off at 9 and taking Route 1 down or continuing to 8A.

Or you could just get off at 9 and take Route 1 either way. As someone said, 8A swings you farther east, so you end up doing like 7 miles back across from 8A to get to Princeton.

Sounds like a plan. I will stay tuned. The last time I took Rt #1 off exit #9, the traffic was a real pita. At the very least, I can come back this way as there won't be a merge problem.

[metuchenrahway]

Take exit 8A, Forsgate Dr, 130, Dey Road, Scudders Mill to Route 1.
On a normal day, it takes 13-15 minutes from exit 8A to Route 1.

[OysterCatcher]

Count another vote for 8A, take all back roads, just make sure you have a GPS or local map

[Lucario]

Originally Posted by luckyshoes

7A to Princeton. Hmmm. I could see that I guess, but then you are going to have to do The Merge and travel quite a bit back west to Princeton. Interesting.

7A (Rt 195 t0 295 to 1 to Alexander Road to Princeton campus) is the best option. Doesn't look that way on paper, but it is the best option.

[metuchenrahway]

Originally Posted by Sunil's Dad

7A (Rt 195 t0 295 to 1 to Alexander Road to Princeton campus) is the best option. Doesn't look that way on paper, but it is the best option.

I've tried it a few times, and each time I swore not to attempt it again. It takes way too much time. I use the Exit 8A - Dey - Scudders route now.