Leonia is small, quiet, and closer to Manhattan than its size suggests. The town sits right where the George Washington Bridge approach meets Bergen County, which means the bridge, the GWB bus station, and the A train are all within easy reach. The question for a Leonia commuter is rarely how to get to the city. It is which of the close-by options fits your office.

1. NJ Transit Route 178 to the George Washington Bridge Bus Station

Leonia's everyday transit option runs the corridor to the bridge. NJ Transit Route 178 carries the Hackensack to Englewood line along the Grand Avenue corridor to the George Washington Bridge Bus Station in Washington Heights, and Leonia sits right on that path. Plan on roughly 20 to 30 minutes to the GWB station depending on traffic. It runs all day, every day.

This is your launch point for the A train and your best bet for anything uptown. From a small inland town, a direct bus to the bridge is the quiet advantage Leonia commuters lean on.

2. NJ Transit Route 166 Through Leonia

Route 166 runs through Leonia along Grand Avenue and carries the Cresskill to Bergenfield line toward New York. For residents on the Grand Avenue side of town, it is often the closest stop to home. Check the current routing and New York terminal on njtransit.com, since the 166 runs several branches.

Between the 178 and the 166, Leonia has more than one bus to lean on, which matters in a town this size.

3. NJ Transit Route 171 Express to the GWB Station

During peak hours, Route 171 runs the Paterson to New York line as an express along the Route 4 corridor to the George Washington Bridge Bus Station. It adds frequency on the same uptown approach Leonia commuters already use.

Treat it as a rush-hour supplement. More buses on the corridor means less time waiting when you need it most.

4. The A Train From the GWB Station for Midtown, Downtown, and the Financial District

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 Columbus Circle and 42nd Street for Midtown, then on to West 4th Street, Fulton Street, and the World Trade Center for downtown.

That single transfer opens up most of Manhattan from Leonia. Bus to the bridge, walk the tunnel, ride the A. Plan on about 45 minutes to Midtown and roughly 55 minutes to the Financial District.

5. Drive Over the George Washington Bridge

This is Leonia's signature. The town sits right at the foot of the bridge approach, so the GWB is often only minutes away. Off-peak, you can be on the West Side Highway or the Harlem River Drive almost as soon as you leave the driveway. The bridge feeds the Henry Hudson Parkway and West Side Highway for the west side, and the Harlem River Drive and FDR for the east side.

The trade-offs are rush-hour congestion at the approach and Manhattan parking. For off-peak trips and days you need the car, few towns get you over the bridge faster.

6. Drive to the Edgewater Ferry for a Waterfront Commute

Leonia does not have a ferry of its own, but the Edgewater landings on River Road are about 15 minutes away down the hill. From there, NY Waterway runs to Midtown at West 39th Street and downtown to Brookfield Place and Pier 11 at Wall Street. Free connecting shuttles meet the boats on the Manhattan side.

For downtown workers who want to skip the bridge and the subway, the ferry is worth the short drive. It is the calmest commute Leonia can reach.

7. Park-and-Ride or Drive to a Fort Lee Midtown Bus

If Midtown is your destination and you want a one-seat ride, drive the few minutes into neighboring Fort Lee and pick up the 156, 158, or 159, which run through the Lincoln Tunnel to the Port Authority. Or park near a GWB-area lot and ride the rest of the way in.

For one-car households, drive-to-transit keeps the car close to home and hands the hard part of the trip to the bus or the subway.

Which Route Fits You

Match the route to your destination. Working uptown? Take the 178 to the GWB station. Working in Midtown? Ride the bus to the bridge and the A train to 42nd Street, or drive into Fort Lee for a one-seat 158 to the Port Authority. Working downtown in the Financial District? Take the A train to Fulton Street, or drive to the Edgewater ferry for Wall Street. Leonia's position at the foot of the bridge keeps every one of these close.

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 Leonia and across the George Washington Bridge corridor is built on three connected steps, because where you live and how you get to work are the same decision.

Comparing the bridge-corridor towns? See 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 Leonia to Midtown Manhattan?

For most Leonia commuters, the fastest no-car route is a corridor bus to the George Washington Bridge Bus Station, then the A train to 42nd Street, roughly 45 minutes. Driving over the bridge is faster off-peak but slower in rush hour.

Can you get to the Financial District from Leonia without driving?

Yes. Take a bus to the George Washington Bridge station and the A train to Fulton Street near the World Trade Center, about 55 minutes door to door. A drive to the Edgewater ferry is the alternative.

Does Leonia have a ferry to New York City?

Leonia does not have its own ferry. The nearest NY Waterway service is about 15 minutes away by car at the Edgewater landings on River Road, with crossings to Midtown at West 39th Street and downtown to Brookfield Place and Wall Street.