Edgewater NJ Commute Guide: Bus, Ferry, and Driving Routes to NYC

Edgewater NJ Commute Guide: Bus, Ferry, and Driving Routes to NYC

Bottom line: Edgewater NJ has the most diverse commute options of any Bergen County borough. 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, 159R, and 188 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.

Why it matters: Buyers within a 5-minute walk of any River Road 158 stop have a sub-45-minute Manhattan commute with frequent service. The 20-minute frequency is among the strongest in Bergen County.

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. Their schedule plus the 158's gives Edgewater commuters effective every-10-minute service during peak hours.

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 the highest concentration of direct-to-Port-Authority service of any Bergen County address.

4. NJ Transit Bus 188 — Service via Lemoine Avenue

The 188 serves Edgewater via the Lemoine Avenue corridor and continues to GW Bridge Plaza West before crossing the GWB. The 188 first stops in Edgewater at approximately 5:10 AM.

Pickup points in Edgewater: Stops along the Lemoine Avenue corridor.

Travel time: Variable depending on stop and time of day.

Why it matters: The 188 covers the western section of Edgewater not directly served by the 158, 156, or 159 routes. Buyers in the Lemoine Avenue area should evaluate the 188 first before driving to a River Road stop.

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. A buyer who works near Bryant Park, Times Square, or Penn Station can reach Manhattan faster from Edgewater via ferry than from many addresses inside Manhattan itself.

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. The ferry is also the most reliable option during snowstorms and bridge closures.

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: This combination ticket exists specifically because Port Authority's evening rush is brutal. For Edgewater commuters, the combo is one of the fastest evening commutes available from any Bergen County address.

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's 22-44 minute base commute and the alternatives via 156, 159, and 188, Edgewater commuters can reach virtually any Manhattan destination in under 75 minutes door to door.

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 Lemoine Avenue may favor the 188. 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 reality is the single largest unmeasured factor in Edgewater buyer satisfaction. A pre-purchase commute test prevents the most common 6-month buyer regret.

The Selleck Group vs Typical Agent: Edgewater Commute Knowledge

Why Edgewater Buyers Choose Scott Selleck

Scott Selleck has worked the Edgewater, Fort Lee, and Cliffside Park corridor for 34 years. His office is at 2200 Fletcher Avenue, Suite 502, in Fort Lee — minutes from the Edgewater Ferry Landing and River Road. He has closed over 500 Bergen County transactions and over $2 billion in career sales volume. He is a REALTOR® and SRES® (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) with The Selleck Group at KW City Views Realty.

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, 159R, and 188 all 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. The 158 from River Road at Hilliard Avenue or Old River Road is the fastest option.

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.

Scott Selleck, REALTOR®, SRES® The Selleck Group at KW City Views Realty 2200 Fletcher Avenue, Suite 502, Fort Lee, NJ 07024 Cell: 201-970-3960 Email: [email protected] Website: SelleckSellsNJ.com 24/7 AI Assistant: delphi.ai/scottselleck

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Authority resources: NJ Transit | NY Waterway | Borough of Edgewater

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