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I'm starting a new job in NJ (two locations, in Newark and Livingston), which means until we move in a month or so I will be commuting from the Upper West Side (in the 70s). My hours start very early, so getting to work is a breeze, but getting back... looking at the traffic patterns, it seems like the Lincoln Tunnel is horrendously congested going into NY in the PM even though it is "reverse commute", and the traffic on 495 can be bumper-to-bumper all the way back to I-95.
I know the GWB is no picnic either, and an accident can change everything, but on average, would it be better to bypass the Lincoln Tunnel to take the GWB--> West Side highway back home? Or would you still get home faster taking the Lincoln because of the shorter distance even though you spend a lot more time crawling?
The GWB is much better than the Lincoln Tunnel IMO. Traffic is usually worse getting out of the city than going in at that time (as long as there are no Yankees games). The great thing about the bridge is there are many short cuts you can take to bypass traffic on the highway approaches. The route 46 approach is best since you can get off Main St and cut through Fort Lee if you need to. I don't know how the West Side Hwy is during rush hour though.
I have to disagree with GoYanks. 1st of all the GW is more expensive. Second, GW is a thruway --connections to Connecticut, Bronx, Queens and Manhattan while the LT is primarily for Manhattan/NJ.
There are some shortcuts to get into the LT as opposed to the GW. There is also MUCH more truck traffic on the GW than the LT. Than you add NYY traffic and boom! The OP problem isn't getting out to work but instead getting back home to the 70s. I did a similar commute for 5 years
99% of the time the Holland beats the other 2. Toll pricing should be equal for all 3. only diff being any NJ pike tolls, but you can take the Skyway toll free direct from Newark as the shortest route. Holland has restrictions banning large trucks, Lincoln has trucks, buses, theater traffic and Gee Dub has interstate east coast traffic.
I agree with lfsr1544 and captne76. Holland Tunnel is your best choice, and actually the Lincoln Tunnel isn't bad and going to be better than the GW. Even if it's the reverse commute the traffic getting onto the GW can stretch for miles down 95 and winding through Fort Lee on side streets is not going to help in a lot of cases. I've done that drive a hundred times and find the Lincoln Tunnel a bit easier to make my way through, and will take the Skyway and Holland Tunnel whenever possible.
The West Side Highway isn't much fun at rush hour between the tunnels and the GW. All of 95-bound traffic puts it at a crawl, you could spend half an hour to move a couple dozen blocks. I'd take the Holland, take West Street up to Chelsea and take 10th or even 8th the rest of the way. Catching the lights at the right time will be a little easier and save more sanity than continuing on the West Side Hwy.
I'm starting a new job in NJ (two locations, in Newark and Livingston), which means until we move in a month or so I will be commuting from the Upper West Side (in the 70s). My hours start very early, so getting to work is a breeze, but getting back... looking at the traffic patterns, it seems like the Lincoln Tunnel is horrendously congested going into NY in the PM even though it is "reverse commute", and the traffic on 495 can be bumper-to-bumper all the way back to I-95.
I know the GWB is no picnic either, and an accident can change everything, but on average, would it be better to bypass the Lincoln Tunnel to take the GWB--> West Side highway back home? Or would you still get home faster taking the Lincoln because of the shorter distance even though you spend a lot more time crawling?
Thanks in advance
It depends how you approach either crossing. Try River Road for the GWB, I find this cuts off a lot of traffic. The same goes for exiting at Hoboken to get into the tunnel.
As some other posters suggest, the Holland Tunnel may be an option, but how you get there matters. 1&9 is usually packed. If you take the Tpk extension and get off at grand street and approach from Manila you can save time.
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