Realistic Commute to NYC from Cranbury (Princeton, Hightstown: 2014, home, high schools)

[gp1278]

Hi All,

My family and I are considering moving to Cranbury and I wanted to know what the realistic daily commute to NYC would be. I'm assuming the Princeton Junction Station is the most viable option since it has express trains that make it to the city in about 53 mins or so. I just wanted to know what the parking situation was like and how long does it take to get to the train station from Cranbury on average. I'm hearing anywhere from 15-20 mins but I have no clue what the traffic conditions are like during rush hours. I would be catching the train between 6-630 but in the morning and evening.

Any additional information or other factors that i may not have considered would be extremely helpful.

Thanks.

[jerseyj]

15-20 minutes is about right for the drive from Cranbury to Princeton Jct. There is a 4 year waiting list for a permit at the station for non-WW residents.

West Windsor Parking Authority - Permit Info

[gp1278]

thanks for confirming the info, but what are the parking options for non-WW residents? Is there a lot nearby that i could pay a daily rate? Also, one concern of ours is how our kids will assimilate going from cranbury schools to princeton high schools. I know their class would be moving over at the same time and will have established friends but wondering if anyone has had any experience with this transition.

[jerseyj]

All that parking info is addressed in the web site. You can also look into the ride share permits.

Cranbury sends about 240 8th graders to Princeton HS every year.
This send/receive agreement ends in 2019. This article is an interesting read-

At ‘Overcrowded’ Princeton High School, 1 in 6 students is from Cranbury | walkableprinceton

If Princeton decides to end the send/receive relationship w/ Cranbury in 2019 it will be interesting to see where the Cranbury kids end up. Before Princeton the Cranbury kids went to Hightstown HS.

[gp1278]

Thank you for all the info

[gp1278]

Just one more follow up question...Does anyone commute from the 8A Park and ride? Can someone describe what the commute is like from there?

Thanks

[aswinraj]

Regarding Princeton Junction Parking, I had the same questions before moving there last month. Parking is usually available at the Wallace Rd commuter lot before 6:30 am. There's also new parking lot for Princeton Junction (entrance on Vaughan Dr), where parking is available after 6:30 am for $5/ day. The Vaughan Rd lot doesnt usually fill up, though it is ~ a 5-7 min walk to the platform since the parking is well past the end of the platform

[gp1278]

how long is the drive in the morning from Cranbury to Prin Jnct?

[gp1278]

Also - how come you opted for the train vs the park and ride at exit 8A?

[luric]

We just moved to Cranbury recently, and my husband has been commuting via train. It's a 9 min drive to the train station for him (he takes the 1st express in the AM at 5:20am), and he has his choice of daily parking ($5) in the Wallace lot ideally located at the bottom of the platform steps. They just switched their parking system, so he's able to prepay for a week's parking at a time which saves a few minutes in the AM. He usually takes a train home that gets him in around 6pm, and it takes about 11 min for him to drive home with the expected additional traffic at the more traditional "rush hour" time. He hasn't bothered signing up for the Vaughn lot waitlist, since to him it's worth the couple extra dollars/day to have such fast access to the train. As I mentioned, we've only recently moved here, but so far we're happy with our choice.