Edgewater sits right on the Hudson, on River Road below the Palisades. That waterfront address changes the whole commute. In most Bergen County towns the bus or the bridge is the answer. In Edgewater, the ferry usually beats both, and the buses are there for the days you want a one-seat ride or an uptown stop.

1. NY Waterway Ferry From Edgewater Landing to Midtown

Edgewater's best commute does not touch a road. The NY Waterway ferry leaves Edgewater Landing at 989 River Road and crosses the Hudson to Midtown at West 39th Street in about 20 minutes. Free connecting shuttle buses meet the boats on the Manhattan side and fan out across Midtown.

This is the reason a lot of people choose Edgewater. No bridge, no tunnel, no subway. Just the river and a short walk to your desk. Check current schedules on nywaterway.com, since ferry times shift by season.

2. NY Waterway Ferry to the Financial District

For downtown workers, the ferry still wins. From Edgewater Landing, NY Waterway runs to Brookfield Place and to Pier 11 at Wall Street, with a quick transfer at the Port Imperial terminal in Weehawken. Plan on roughly 25 to 30 minutes on the water.

If your office is in the Financial District, this drops you a short walk away with the Hudson behind you. It is the calmest route to Lower Manhattan that Edgewater offers.

3. The Free Shuttle to the Ferry Landing

There is no public parking at Edgewater Landing, so the borough and NY Waterway run free shuttle buses that feed the dock. The shuttles run on the ferry schedule, arriving about 15 minutes before each departure, with marked stops along River Road.

That solves the last-mile problem. You do not need to leave a car at the river. Hop the shuttle, board the boat, and you are across in about twenty minutes. Edgewater also operates a weekday municipal commuter shuttle for residents.

4. NJ Transit Route 158 to the Port Authority in Midtown

If you would rather stay on land, NJ Transit Route 158 runs Fort Lee to Edgewater to New York, up River Road and through the Lincoln Tunnel to the Port Authority Bus Terminal at 42nd Street. Buses leave River Road roughly every 20 minutes.

This is your one-seat ride into the heart of Midtown, no transfer. Traffic at the tunnel can stretch the trip, so for a fixed schedule, weigh it against the ferry.

5. NJ Transit Route 188 to the George Washington Bridge Bus Station

For uptown, NJ Transit Route 188 runs the West New York corridor by way of Edgewater up to the George Washington Bridge Bus Station in Washington Heights, about 20 minutes from Edgewater.

Use this when your office is uptown, or as the launch point for the A train into the rest of Manhattan. It is Edgewater's land route to the bridge.

6. The A Train From the GWB Station for Downtown

The George Washington Bridge Bus Station connects by an indoor pedestrian tunnel to the 175th Street A train. From there, the A runs express down Eighth Avenue to 42nd Street, West 4th Street, and on to Fulton Street and the World Trade Center.

Take the 188 to the bridge, walk the tunnel, and ride the A to Fulton Street in roughly 30 to 35 minutes. For downtown workers who prefer rails to the river, this is the backup to the ferry.

7. Drive Over the GWB or Through the Lincoln Tunnel

Edgewater sits between two crossings. The George Washington Bridge is about 1.5 miles north on River Road, feeding the West Side Highway and the Harlem River Drive. The Lincoln Tunnel is a straight shot south for Midtown.

Off-peak, the GWB puts you on the West Side Highway in about 15 minutes. Rush hour and Manhattan parking are the usual trade-offs, so many Edgewater commuters drive only when they need the car and ride the ferry the rest of the week.

Which Route Fits You

Match the route to your destination. Working in Midtown? Take the ferry to West 39th Street or the 158 bus to the Port Authority. Working downtown in the Financial District? Take the ferry to Brookfield Place or Wall Street. Working uptown? Ride the 188 to the GWB station. In Edgewater, the water is usually the answer, and the buses cover the days it is not.

Plan the Move, Not Just the Commute

Commute time is not just a daily annoyance. It shapes what a home is worth and how you live in it. My work with homeowners in Edgewater and across the Gold Coast is built on three connected steps, because where you live and how you get to work are the same decision.

Weighing the Gold Coast towns? See how the neighbors commute in the Fort Lee commute guide and the Cliffside Park commute guide, and read how commute time affects home value and lifestyle in Northern NJ.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to commute from Edgewater to Midtown Manhattan?

The fastest option is the NY Waterway ferry from Edgewater Landing to West 39th Street, about a 20 minute crossing. NJ Transit Route 158 to the Port Authority Bus Terminal is the one-seat bus alternative.

Can you get to the Financial District from Edgewater?

Yes. Take the NY Waterway ferry to Brookfield Place or Pier 11 at Wall Street, with a transfer at Port Imperial, or ride Route 188 to the George Washington Bridge station and the A train to Fulton Street.

Where is the Edgewater ferry, and is there parking?

The Edgewater Ferry Landing is at 989 River Road, about 1.5 miles south of the George Washington Bridge. There is no public parking at the landing, but free shuttle buses run from points along River Road on the ferry schedule.