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As someone new to NJ, I would greatly appreciate advice RE: best routes to drive from Westfield downtown (home) to Princeton University (office). If necessary, I can avoid the worst of rush hour traffic (8-9am and 4:30-6:30pm).
Google maps suggests three routes:
1) US-1 S (33.5 miles, 52 mins)
2) US-22 W and US-206 S (35 miles 53 mins)
3) NJ-27 S/Lincoln Hwy and US-1 S (32.7 miles 55 mins)
Can anyone discuss pros and cons, overall, and at different times of the day?
Personally, I tend to prefer commutes that, even if longer in terms of distance, have more fluid traffic (and as few lights as possible). As you can imagine, then, I am no fan of US-1.
As someone new to NJ, I would greatly appreciate advice RE: best routes to drive from Westfield downtown (home) to Princeton University (office). If necessary, I can avoid the worst of rush hour traffic (8-9am and 4:30-6:30pm).
Google maps suggests three routes:
1) US-1 S (33.5 miles, 52 mins)
2) US-22 W and US-206 S (35 miles 53 mins)
3) NJ-27 S/Lincoln Hwy and US-1 S (32.7 miles 55 mins)
Can anyone discuss pros and cons, overall, and at different times of the day?
Personally, I tend to prefer commutes that, even if longer in terms of distance, have more fluid traffic (and as few lights as possible). As you can imagine, then, I am no fan of US-1.
Thanks so much.
I would do the rt22 to 206 commute as you will be traveling against traffic most of the time. A couple of times around the Somerville circle and you will have it figured out.
You can take river rd through Manville which parallels rt 206 for most of the way. It won't save any time but there are less traffic lights plus it is a change of scenery.
Getting to Rt 1 and Rt 27 from Westfield is a PITA
If I were you, I would take Central Ave to GSP, take the GSP south followed by turnpike south, exit at 8A and then go onto Rt.1. You'll be going against the traffic on both GSP and Turnpike, and that will make your commute much more predictable in terms of time spent.
This will be approx 1 hr commute.
If you plan to return after 6:30 pm, then you should take Rt1 N on your way back. You can make it in 45-50 mins.
Driving for 35 miles on Rt1, Rt 27 or Rt 206 is something that'll take its toll, both on you and on your car.
Why don't you give all 4 options a try (maybe for 3-4 days each) and then make you decision. Don't forget to update this thread once you have nailed down your route.
Along the lines of River Rd through Manville, I'd suggest taking 22 to 287 to Weston Canal Rd which goes past Zarephath. then there is a series of roads on both sides of the Millstone River and D&R Canal that take you down towards Princeton. Very few lights and almost no traffic.
Rt 1 also has much less lights than it used to as they have been trying to eliminate most lights since NJ did not build I-95 so it is a consolation prize.
I commuted to Princeton from Morris County years ago and always took the back way since it was direct and very predictable. The one exception is after heavy rains some of the bridges across the canal and river go underwater in places such as Griggstown, meaning you can't cross but you can stay on whatever side you're already on.
One side of the road lets out at the Orchard, River light on 206 N of P'ton while the other side leads towards Kingston.
Another variation, lopping off a few miles by jumping off 22 earlier, this one stays on the E side of the canal & river, but you can cross over to the W side also if desired.
One more alternative, keeps you off most of the highways. Actually about the shortest of the choices mileage wise. Most of these route choices are all about the same with only about 10 to 15 minutes difference between back roads and highways. You'll have to develop a sense for how much backroading is practical.
Now, having made the commute from Westfield to Princeton for over 7 months, this is what I chose to do... I take GPS and then Turnpike all the way to Cranbury area, then Dey Road, then just a teeny tiny bit of of Rt 1. This route is considerably longer in terms of miles, but very predictable traffic wise. (Alternatively, if traveling at times with little to no traffic, I do GPS then Turnpike to New Brunswick then Rt 1).
Now, having made the commute from Westfield to Princeton for over 7 months, this is what I chose to do... I take GPS and then Turnpike all the way to Cranbury area, then Dey Road, then just a teeny tiny bit of of Rt 1. This route is considerably longer in terms of miles, but very predictable traffic wise. (Alternatively, if traveling at times with little to no traffic, I do GPS then Turnpike to New Brunswick then Rt 1).
Thanks many for all the advice given here.
Hmm. I reserve the Yank De Crank (NJ TurnPike) for outastate fuuriners, so they can pay some of our taxes. Real NJ people supposed to use the real NJ roads
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