Commute from Rockland County to Morris County (Morristown, Mountain Lakes: for sale, house)

[Goldian]

Hello

My husband and I just bought our first home in New City, NY. Both of us were working in Bergen County (easy commute) but unfortunately, my position was cut due to a budget issue (I'm a teacher). I've been offered a position in Montville, NJ, but I'm a little concerned about the commute. Does anyone commute from New City to Montville? How long does it take? Any areas of traffic?

[UpOnBase2]

Originally Posted by Goldian

Hello

My husband and I just bought our first home in New City, NY. Both of us were working in Bergen County (easy commute) but unfortunately, my position was cut due to a budget issue (I'm a teacher). I've been offered a position in Montville, NJ, but I'm a little concerned about the commute. Does anyone commute from New City to Montville? How long does it take? Any areas of traffic?

Not going to be that bad, in this job market I would take it. Should take about 45 mins total.

Good luck

[EANJ]

Originally Posted by Goldian

Hello

My husband and I just bought our first home in New City, NY. Both of us were working in Bergen County (easy commute) but unfortunately, my position was cut due to a budget issue (I'm a teacher). I've been offered a position in Montville, NJ, but I'm a little concerned about the commute. Does anyone commute from New City to Montville? How long does it take? Any areas of traffic?

Well, I live by GPS, so I am not only spoiled, but my geography skills are horrible. So, from New City, do you take the Thruway North, or local roads to get to the intersection of 287/17 (NJ border, Mahwah)? Or, to the GSP South (then to 80 West)?

Anyway, 287 heading out is not always an easy trip. It's certainly not a walk through a rose garden. If it's GSP/80, that to is not always a cake walk.

Have you mapped it? How many miles here?

[Goldian]

Mapquest says take Palisades to 287... total travel time about 37 miles, door to door. I completely rely on GPS, too - I'm actually from Maine and still not all that familiar with this area (but a 45 minute commute is pretty normal where I'm from). Also, I would be traveling just before peak times (arriving by 8am, leaving around 3pm), so if there was traffic, I might miss it?

[EANJ]

Originally Posted by Goldian

Mapquest says take Palisades to 287... total travel time about 37 miles, door to door. I completely rely on GPS, too - I'm actually from Maine and still not all that familiar with this area (but a 45 minute commute is pretty normal where I'm from). Also, I would be traveling just before peak times (arriving by 8am, leaving around 3pm), so if there was traffic, I might miss it?

Maybe I am drawing a complete blank here, but the PIP to 287? Where do you pick up 287 off the PIP?

Leaving at 3pm -- I don't think that's a problem at all. That should be easy, but I would look for others who do that commute to chime in. Arriving by 8am -- yes, sounds like you'd miss most. The PIP, heading south at any time makes me nervous, LOL.

[NJdweller]

Commute should not be bad - as UpOnBase2 indicated - about 45 min. Take the job.

I have lived in New City, NY and now live in the Montville area. Once you are here teaching you will want to live here!! You should consider it now - since April / May are the best months to post your house for sale. I know you just bought - but it would be worth it. And waiting until next year may not prove as fruitful with interest rates - for you or for anyone who might be able to buy your home. (no I am not a realtor trying to get your business). I looked for a house for over 5 years - I wanted to make the right decision and be in a nice town (hard to find these days). I finally found it after 2 other home purchases. So .. I am just trying to save you some time and let you in on the secret.

Schools in Montville far exceed New City's (unless you will be using private schools - I know there are many around New City). And it's rare to have an opening here that isn't filled by someone local - so take the job!!

[G.Costanza]

Originally Posted by EANJ

Maybe I am drawing a complete blank here, but the PIP to 287? Where do you pick up 287 off the PIP?

Technically you might be on I87 briefly before getting on 287. Those two and Palisades all sort of converge just west of the Tappan Zee Bridge.

Going back to the OP, it shouldn't be too bad. A buddy of mine worked in Morristown but had all his family in Boston, so he lived somewhere closer to the TZB and had a similar commute to you (287 most of the way).

[griffith22]

Montville nj to New City shouldn't be bad at all. New City is Exit 10 on the PIP. You would need to go south on the PIP to exit 9 and take the thruway north to exit 15 and get on 287. I work with someone who travels from Mountain Lakes NJ to Pearl River Ny in rockland and the commute isnt bad at all.(about 40 min or so).

[captne76]

Actually I-87 and I-287 is the same road, what you call multiplexed, for the stretch between where they split apart from each other at either end, so you can call them either or both. Where you get on from the Palisades Pkwy it would be 87/287 until the split by Mahwah where 287 goes South to NJ. Conversely if you where to go SE towards Connecticut and NYC, 87 would split South towards NYC after the Tap while 287 would go East towards the CT/NY junction at I-95.

I would def take that over the I-80 choice since going South to I-80 puts you in and near the traffic going to NYC over the GeeDub (GWB) and that can get sticky most days. Getting off in Montville you will also avoid going further South by I-80 in NJ where it can get congested so you shouldn't hit much traffic. Should be an easy ride most of the time.

[captne76]

Try this link for a map,, they quote about 35 miles or 35 minutes,,,
New City, NY to Montville, NJ - Google Maps