Edgewater NJ Commute Guide: Bus, Ferry, and Driving Routes to NYC
Bottom line: Edgewater NJ has a mix of commute options: bus, ferry, and driving. NJ Transit Bus 158 runs from River Road stops directly to Port Authority Bus Terminal in approximately 22 to 44 minutes, with departures every 20 minutes. NJ Transit Buses 156, 156R, 159, and 159R also serve River Road with direct Manhattan service. The NY Waterway Edgewater Ferry Landing at 989 River Road operates direct ferries to Midtown West 39th Street and downtown Manhattan via Port Imperial transfer. NJ Transit also offers combo Bus-Ferry tickets for routes 156R, 158, and 159R. Driving across the GWB or Lincoln Tunnel takes 18 to 30 minutes for the 9.87-mile distance. The borough's free shuttle service connects Edgewater residents to the ferry landing.
This guide covers every commute option for Edgewater NJ residents in 2026. For broader Bergen County context, see our full local insights archive.
1. NJ Transit Bus 158: The Primary Edgewater Direct Route
The 158 is the workhorse direct route from Edgewater to Manhattan. It runs from stops along River Road including River Road at Hilliard Avenue, River Road at Old River Road, River Road at Edgewater Commons, and River Road & The Commons by River Club with direct service to Port Authority Bus Terminal at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue.
Pickup points in Edgewater: River Road at Hilliard Avenue, River Road at Old River Road, River Road at Edgewater Commons, and Edgewater Commons at Acme Bus Stop.
Travel time: Approximately 22 minutes from Lincoln Harbor area to River Road at Hilliard Avenue. 38 to 44 minutes from various Edgewater stops to Port Authority. Frequency every 20 minutes. Last bus stops in Edgewater at approximately 1:47 AM.
2. NJ Transit Buses 156 and 156R: River Road Service via Fort Lee
The 156 and 156R serve Edgewater along the River Road corridor and continue to Bridge Plaza in Fort Lee before crossing the GWB into Manhattan. The 156 runs full-day service. The 156R is the rush-hour variant.
Pickup points in Edgewater: River Road at Old River Road and other River Road stops.
Travel time: Approximately 35 to 50 minutes from Edgewater stops to Port Authority. First bus arrives in Edgewater around 5:10 AM. Last bus stops in Edgewater at approximately 2:30 AM.
Why it matters: The 156 and 156R offer alternative routing if the 158 is delayed.
3. NJ Transit Buses 159 and 159R: Additional Direct Service
The 159 and 159R also serve Edgewater with direct Port Authority service. The 159 runs full-day. The 159R is the rush-hour variant. Bus 159 runs from River Road at Old River Road through to Manhattan in approximately 45 minutes.
Pickup points in Edgewater: River Road at Old River Road and River Road corridor stops.
Travel time: Approximately 45 minutes during off-peak.
Why it matters: With the 158, 156, 156R, 159, and 159R all running along River Road, an Edgewater buyer near a River Road stop has several direct-to-Port-Authority routes to choose from.
5. NY Waterway Ferry from Edgewater Ferry Landing to Midtown
NY Waterway operates ferries directly from the Edgewater Ferry Landing at 989 River Road to Midtown West 39th Street. Service runs weekdays from approximately 6:10 AM to 7:50 PM.
Travel time: Approximately 12 to 15 minutes water crossing, plus shuttle and walk time.
How residents access: The Borough of Edgewater operates a free weekday shuttle service for residents connecting to the Edgewater Ferry Landing.
Why it matters: Ferry commuting changes the math on Edgewater real estate.
6. NY Waterway Ferry to Brookfield Place and Pier 11/Wall Street
The same Edgewater Ferry Landing serves downtown Manhattan via a transfer at Port Imperial in Weehawken. Ferries continue to Brookfield Place at Battery Park City and Pier 11 at Wall Street. NY Waterway also offers direct ferry service from Brookfield Place Terminal to Edgewater Ferry Landing five times per day on weekdays.
Travel time: Approximately 25 to 40 minutes total including transfer.
Why it matters: Edgewater buyers working in finance or downtown legal can use this route to bypass Manhattan crosstown traffic entirely.
7. NJ Transit Bus-Ferry Combo Tickets
NJ Transit and NY Waterway offer joint Bus-Ferry tickets for customers of routes 156R, 158, and 159R. Commuters can take their regular morning bus into Manhattan and return on the ferry in the evening to bypass Port Authority Bus Terminal congestion.
How it works: Single ticket covers both the morning bus and evening ferry. Available for the listed Edgewater-area routes.
Why it matters: The combination ticket lets commuters skip the Port Authority evening rush on the way home.
8. Driving to Manhattan via the George Washington Bridge
The GWB is approximately 9.87 road miles from Edgewater to Port Authority Bus Terminal. The upper level handles passenger vehicles only. The lower level carries buses, trucks, and passenger cars.
Travel time: 18 minutes off-peak, 30 to 45 minutes during weekday rush hour.
Toll cost (2026): Variable by time of day under Port Authority's pricing structure for the GWB.
Why it matters: Edgewater's location below Fort Lee gives drivers easy GWB access via River Road and Lemoine Avenue. The Lincoln Tunnel via Route 495 is also available for Manhattan destinations south of 34th Street.
9. Connecting to PATH and Subway from Port Authority
Once an Edgewater bus arrives at Port Authority Bus Terminal at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue, commuters connect to the A, C, E, N, Q, R, W, S, 1, 2, 3, and 7 subway lines within the terminal complex. PATH service to lower Manhattan and Hoboken is available via the 33rd Street and 14th Street stations.
Travel time after Port Authority: 5 to 25 minutes additional depending on Manhattan destination.
Why it matters: With the 158 and the alternatives via the 156 and 159, Edgewater commuters have several ways to reach Manhattan. Check current NJ Transit schedules before you rely on a departure time.
10. Choosing the Right Commute for Your Edgewater Address
Every Edgewater block has a different optimal commute. A condo at Edgewater Commons or near Hilliard Avenue is a 158 commute. A property near Old River Road has access to multiple routes. A property near the southern Edgewater border may favor walking to the ferry landing.
What to do before buying: Time the commute from your prospective address to your actual office at 8:00 AM Tuesday and 5:30 PM Wednesday. Use Google Maps with traffic. Then test the bus and ferry options separately.
Why it matters: Commute time is easy to underestimate. A pre-purchase commute test shows you the real trip before you commit.
Why Edgewater Buyers Choose Scott Selleck
Scott Selleck is a REALTOR®, SRES®, e-PRO, with The Selleck Group at Keller Williams City Views Realty. Licensed since 1993. 500+ transactions, counting buyer and seller sides. NJ Real Estate Broker / Sales Associate #9236275. Licensure does not imply endorsement. His office is at 2200 Fletcher Avenue, Suite 502, in Fort Lee, minutes from the Edgewater Ferry Landing and River Road.
For Edgewater buyers, Scott pre-verifies bus stop proximity, multi-route flexibility, ferry shuttle eligibility, and the Bus-Ferry combo ticket option before any offer is written.
Frequently Asked Questions
What buses run from Edgewater NJ to Port Authority? NJ Transit routes 158, 156, 156R, 159, and 159R serve Edgewater with direct service to Port Authority Bus Terminal at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue. The 158 is the primary direct route running approximately 22 to 44 minutes depending on pickup location, with departures every 20 minutes.
How long is the bus ride from Edgewater to Port Authority? Approximately 22 to 45 minutes depending on the route, time of day, and pickup location. Times vary by stop and time of day; check the current NJ Transit 158 timetable.
Is there a ferry from Edgewater to Manhattan? Yes. NY Waterway operates ferries from the Edgewater Ferry Landing at 989 River Road directly to Midtown West 39th Street. Ferries also continue to Brookfield Place and Pier 11/Wall Street via Port Imperial transfer. Service runs weekdays from approximately 6:10 AM to 7:50 PM.
Can I use one ticket for both bus and ferry from Edgewater? Yes. NJ Transit and NY Waterway offer joint Bus-Ferry combo tickets for customers of routes 156R, 158, and 159R. Commuters can take the morning bus into Manhattan and return on the ferry in the evening, bypassing Port Authority Bus Terminal congestion.
How far is Edgewater NJ from Manhattan? Approximately 9.87 road miles from Edgewater to Port Authority Bus Terminal. Driving takes 18 minutes off-peak and 30 to 45 minutes during weekday rush hour.
Ready to Buy in Edgewater?
Talk to Scott Selleck before you write an offer. Pre-offer commute verification is included for every buyer client.
Keller Williams City Views Realty, Real Estate Broker
Scott Selleck, REALTOR, SRES, e-PRO
Broker / Sales Associate | The Selleck Group | KW City Views Realty
2200 Fletcher Avenue, Suite 502, Fort Lee, NJ 07024
Cell 201-970-3960 | Office 201-592-8900
[email protected] | SelleckSellsNJ.com
Request an appointment: meet.sellecksellsnj.com
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NJ Real Estate Broker / Sales Associate #9236275. Licensure does not imply endorsement.
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