Commute from Hunterdon to NYC? (Newark, Jersey City: house, bus, train)

[whirledtraveler]

We just bought a house in Readington township in Hunterdon County. My husband's job, however, just moved from Basking Ridge to New York City (financial district)! We're arguing over the best way to get into the city. I see 3 options:

1) Drive to Newark or Jersey City and Path to WTC (google maps says 50 minutes to newark, and 22 minutes on the path downtown)
2) Transbridge bus downtown (says 80 minutes)
3) train from Whitehouse to Newark and then path.

Which do you think is the best option? Would the drive to Newark be significantly more than 50 minutes at rush hour? I haven't found any good info as to how quickly 78 moves. Thanks for your help!

[Thosepeskyfacts]

It has to be between option 2 and 3
Driving will be an absolute nightmare, especially if it rains or snows, not to mention all the weat and tear on the car.

Much better to be somewhat relaxed on a train or a bus.

If it were me I'd try both the bus and train for a week each and see what I liked better and what was quicker.

[whirledtraveler]

thanks--my concern with the bus is that it uses the same route that my husband would drive. If the car is stuck on the road, wouldn't the bus be too? Maybe the train is better, if it's typically on time....

[Thosepeskyfacts]

I take a NJ Transit train to New York (albeit on a different line and for a much shorter distance) and it is NOT typically on time. Exactly on-time trains seem to be the excpeption rather than the rule.

The short answer is that it's a tough commute and there's no perfect way to go.