I don't drive that way, but is any better if you take 139 upper to JFK, hang a right, and left on Manhattan, and right on Tonelle? Or, from downtown, follow Monmouth north under the highway, left on Coles, and then left on Hoboken Ave into the Heights?

I take the extension in the morning, and 139 upper seems clear...this would cut off traffic at the circle and the initial part of 1/9...

Not sure but maybe this would cut off 10 minutes or so if you need to get on Route 3.

Quote:

Isaac, how are you and Mrs. Newton?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5Qx4Y_hUuE

When trying to leave JC on a Friday night at 5pm, we refer to the first hour (5 miles) as, " breaking out of Manhattan's gravitational pull before we can safely get into orbit."

There's a second train station in Ramsey, right on Route 17. It has a huge parking garage. How's this for an option: keep your car in Ramsey during the week and take the train?

Quote:

Where are commuting to in OC? I assume the commons?

(POST CONTINUED)

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I drive up to Orange County, NY 4 days out of the week and the way up is fine I think. I can get there hour and twenty. I leave at 6am, though the later you go the more cars are on the road.

The way home though, I avoid Rt 17 like the plague now and actually takes me quicker to get home if I take the palisades/US 9 S/Turnpike. Rt 17 southbound traffic (starting at ridgewood & westfield) plus RT 3./1&9 area is where I find the biggest problems right now when I go that way.

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I did a short-term freelance job in Montvale for 3 months. The commute was horrible but the pay made it worthwhile.

A few months back they wanted me back but cut the hourly wage my 1/3. I'm a freelancer and I don't pass up jobs. I had to tell them I wasn't interested.

I cannot imagine how much worse it will get when the Pulaski Skyway is closed.

Like others have said, it's a rough commute. I've done the 1&9 to 3 to 17 Route, and you have to leave yourself at least an hour in the morning to allow for normal traffic, although on good days you can make it in 45-50 mins. Any accidents (probably an average of 1 per week) will make the trip take about 1:15. Taking the Turnpike to GSP to 17 will be longer, have more traffic, and cost $11 round trip in tolls. And yes, the evening commute back is a nightmare between 5 and 6:30

If I were you, I wouldn't take the job without knowing what the impact of the Pulaski closing will have on the area. NJ DOT apparently thinks people will find "alternate" ways of commuting, but I doubt it. You may accept the job now, then find out in a couple months that you're spending half your day in your car.

That commute to/from the northern reaches of Bergen County has the potential to be really brutal, particularly the commute back to JC in the evenings.

When the Pulaski skyway goes out of commission, it might be a true disaster for anybody that has to drive to work during normal commuting hours. Getting in and out of Hudson County by car, particularly to points north, is really difficult and time consuming under normal circumstances.

I don't know anything about the OP's circumstances/career/industry ... but with very few exceptions based on industry, there are higher paying jobs (and of course exponentially more jobs) within the immediate area (generally Manhattan) than out in the suburbs. A 10-30 minute commute by Path, for $2.50, which is *generally* headache free, is just so much more pleasant than dealing with terrible human beings on highways, driving around angrily in their little boxes, giving you the finger and cutting you off dangerously, in stifling traffic.

That being said, I understand there are some job opportunities that are exceptionally good (right chemistry with the team, good opportunity for a step up in pay, etc). For the first year I lived in JC I did the suburban commute. My opinion is that it is a terrible lifestyle. People are at their angriest when they are on the road. Especially in this area.

I don't think anyone can know how awful the potential commute will be until after the Pulaski Skyway mess begins in April.

I would think the congestion at the Tonnelle Circle would ease once the Pulaski is shutdwon since all of that east-bound traffic that gets off on Tonnelle Ave is eliminated. There is really no way to know for sure until it happens, because you could also argue that more local traffic will arise crossing through the area, but it certainly will have some sort of impact.

Back in the late 90's I did a very similar commute, but from St. Peter's College area:

30 minute bus ride on the #87
Another 40 minutes on the train
10 minute walk to the office.

Driving up Rt. 17 was a bit faster but a lot more stressful.

Is your new job far from the Ramsey train station? Can you do HBLR to Hoboken then catch a train?

For the past two years I have been commuting to Montvale from downtown JC and it is horrendous. It has gotten considerably worse over the past 6 months or so. (139 down to 1 lane out in the morning and back in at night, 1/9 and Tonnelle Circle backs up at the light.). Long story short I am lucky if I can get there or back in an hour, usually it is close to an hour 20 particuarly on the return trip. Route 17 is basically a non option as it truly is a parking lot. I use to cringe when the PATH would be like 5 minutes late, now I love the days I can take it to work in the NYC office. I hate to sound like a downer but Ramsey would be a very trying experience!

Having grown up in Bergen Co. and commuting from JC/Hobo to Teaneck for the past few years, I'll echo what everyone has said here. Getting in/out of Hudson County at rush hour is always the toughest slog, and a ride up 17 might not always be pretty.

How flexible are your hours? This has helped me big time. I go to the gym at my office before work, and as long as I am out of the area around 7 AM, it's usually ok. I agree about coming home as well. The difference between 4:45/5 and 5:30/5:45 is crazy.

I worked in Allendale for the past 2 yrs and the ride out there was about 45 m - 1 hr in the morning but the ride home is the killer at 1hr 15 m - 1.5 most days (I worked 8:30 - 5 pm for reference). From Grove st area leaving at 7:45am it would take me approx 25 m to get to the 17 exit on rt 3 and then another 25 to get up 17.

I worked directly off of 17 in an office park so it was easy on/off but between the traffic on tonnelle by the secacaus rd exit/merge, going by the mall and that pinch point near the home depot (17/46/GSP area) it isn't a fun ride.

Taking GSP there hits the toll and home doesn't save too much time because you have about 10 miles of traffic to the GSP exit (on 17) and except for holiday time by the mall that means you already sat through 3/4 of the traffic and the devil you know (17) was almost always better to me than the one you don't

if you can get out of work at 4:30 you will get home in half the time - its so crazy what happens up there between 4:55 - 5:05

It is about a 30 mile ride / 45 minute drive on a normal day. Try taking the N.J. Tpke to the GSP then get off at exit 163 for Rt. 17 north.

Ramsey is gonna be a killer for you. It takes like 1.5 hours by train, only other real option is 1&9 to 17 either by 3 or Turnpike. It takes like 20 - 30 minutes just to get up 3 alone due to the Tonnelle traffic circle / 139 construction / upcoming closure of Pulaski skyway - all that bs that will last for years. Once you get to 17 you should be okay.

It'll probably take you about an hour to get to Ramsey by car which is your best method.

I'm contemplating taking a new job up in Bergen county.... specifically in Ramsey.

Does anyone know how the morning commute is going that way from dtjc? There doesn't seem to be any other way to get there other than rt 17.