Tried the Turnpike to C Columbus Drive way. Got home in 2 hours. Still a headache haha. Just got to put up with the traffic or just come home a lot later on Friday night.

Welcome to JC!

In 8 years of living here I have learned to avoid the following ?entrances? to JC when traffic is heavy:
-The turnpike extension past the C. Columbus exit
-The covered roadway (you never see the traffic until you?re stuck underground)
-Tonnelle circle (we use either Manhattan ave or Secaucus coming from the north or the secret St. Pauls Ave connection if we are going west)


For the TPK extension - As mentioned above exit on Columbus, if it?s backed up before that (rarely) take the liberty st park exit right after the toll booths.

Knowing how to cut across the meadowlands on County ave to and from 15X or 3 can bail you out sometimes, same for Secaucus Rd.

You can take the Palisades Parkway down to Ft Lee, take River Rd into the Hoboken/JC area.

Another route for you that might work is GSP to 280 East to exit 17A Jersey City (Route 508). You can then take 508 and instead of staying all the way to the tunnel take Newark Ave. It cuts through Little India which is one long block of driving ineptitude but then a straight shot to downtown. I am of the mindset that I'd rather be moving at 35mph than sitting on some clogged roadway crawling along.

I am often coming from northern NJ I find the best and cheapest way is 17 to 3 to 1&9 but instead of taking 139 just stay on tonelle ave (you go halfway around circle). take this up to kennedy blvd make a right then to montgomery and make a left takes you right into downtown.

If 17 is a mess you can also take Parkway to 80 to Turnpike to 3.

If you are heading north out of town I also find it best to take Kennedy Blvd to Manhattan Ave to 1&9

Yeah, I've noticed whatever route I take, always gonna hit traffic going home. I've always hated Rt 17, but hate it even more now haha. Took that for a little bit before realizing the traffic around the mall is just irritating most nights, rather spend $1.35 on the Parkway then take that going home.

So taking the Turnpike on Friday nights isn't a smart choice? Turnpike or 1&9/139? I might want to take that to exit 14 and go to C Columbus Dr tonight. If I get home in less than 2 hours it will be a victory. I don't mind spending the tolls if the traffic is moving; I won't go insane as much.

Thanks for the suggestions.

If you do take the Turnpike you should ALWAYS exit at Christopher Columbus Drive. Another way in that I use to bypass weekend traffic is to take the Meadowland Pkwy from Route 3 and then take Secaucus Rd over 1&9 and into Hoboken. It's convoluted but at least you are moving.

you could take 287 straight down and connect to I-78 and continue on the turnpike extension into JC. Your best bet would be to take the turnpike, except on Fridays. No matter what route you take there is going to be traffic.

I really wish that extension wasn;t a toll road. That would bring in tons of traffic of from people outside of JC but nobody really wants to pay and that is why most of the other roads are clogged up.

I'm new to the area (live in Paulus Hook) and currently working in Orange County NY (until I can get something in the area). Last few weeks I've been trying different ways into Jersey City. I usually take Rt 17 or Parkway to Rt 3 to 1&9/139 way. Friday night traffic can be a nightmare, especially last week. Anyone have any other recommendations to getting into JC at rush hour?

What about taking Rt 80 to NJ Turnpike and either getting off at exit 15E way or go down by 78 and come into the city that way?