Leonia NJ Commute Guide: Bus, Driving, and Connection Options to NYC

Leonia NJ Commute Guide: Bus, Driving, and Connection Options to NYC

Bottom line: Leonia NJ commuters have three primary commute paths to Manhattan. NJ Transit Bus 166 runs from stops along Broad Avenue at Fort Lee Road and Broad Avenue at Crescent Avenue directly to Port Authority Bus Terminal in approximately 44 minutes, with departures every 15 minutes. NJ Transit Bus 158 runs direct from Main Street at Bergen Boulevard to Port Authority via River Road in approximately 49 minutes. Local bus 182 and connectors 751, 755, 756 serve interior Leonia stops and feed the 166. For ferry options, Leonia residents drive 10 minutes east to the Edgewater Ferry Landing or 5 minutes south to Bridge Plaza in Fort Lee for additional bus routes. The right option depends on your address relative to Fort Lee Road and Broad Avenue.

This guide covers every commute option for Leonia NJ residents in 2026. For broader Bergen County context, see our full local insights archive.

1. NJ Transit Bus 166 — The Primary Leonia Direct Route

The 166 is the workhorse direct route from Leonia to Manhattan. It runs from stops along Broad Avenue at Fort Lee Road, Broad Avenue at Crescent Avenue, and Fort Lee Road at Grand Avenue with direct service to Port Authority Bus Terminal at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue.

Pickup points in Leonia: Broad Avenue at Fort Lee Road, Broad Avenue at Crescent Avenue, Fort Lee Road at Grand Avenue, and Fort Lee Road at Broad Avenue.

Travel time: Approximately 44 minutes door to terminal. Frequency every 15 minutes during peak. First bus 4:13 AM, last bus 2:46 AM.

Why it matters: Buyers within a 5-minute walk of any Broad Avenue or Fort Lee Road 166 stop have a sub-50-minute Manhattan commute with frequent service. That walkability premium is one of the strongest resale factors in Leonia.

2. NJ Transit Bus 158 — Main Street Direct Service via River Road

The 158 runs from Main Street at Bergen Boulevard in Leonia south through Edgewater along River Road and into Port Authority Bus Terminal.

Pickup points in Leonia: Main Street at Bergen Boulevard and stops along the Main Street corridor.

Travel time: Approximately 49 minutes from Main Street to Port Authority.

Why it matters: The 158 serves a different part of Leonia than the 166 and offers commuters route flexibility. Buyers in the eastern part of the borough closer to Main Street should ride the 158 first before assuming they need the 166 from Broad Avenue.

3. NJ Transit Bus 182 — Local Service with 166 Transfer

The 182 runs along Fort Lee Road with stops including Fort Lee Road at Cumley Terrace. Riders can transfer to the 166 at Broad Avenue for the direct Manhattan trip.

Pickup points in Leonia: Fort Lee Road at Cumley Terrace and other interior Fort Lee Road stops.

Travel time: Approximately 44 minutes total including transfer to the 166 at Broad Avenue.

Why it matters: The 182 connector option matters most for buyers in the western and interior parts of Leonia, who would otherwise face a longer walk to a Broad Avenue stop. This is a quality-of-life factor that does not show up on Zillow or Redfin.

4. NJ Transit Buses 751, 755, and 756 — Additional Local Coverage

The 751, 755, and 756 are additional NJ Transit local routes serving Leonia stops along Fort Lee Road and Broad Avenue. The 751 connects to Anderson Avenue and other neighboring boroughs.

Pickup points in Leonia: Stops along Fort Lee Road including Fort Lee Road at Grand Avenue and Fort Lee Road at Broad Avenue.

Travel time: Variable based on transfers and final destination.

Why it matters: Commuters living near a stop served by multiple routes effectively have higher service frequency. That redundancy reduces the impact of any single delay or breakdown on a workday.

5. Driving to Manhattan via the George Washington Bridge

The GWB is approximately 11 road miles from Leonia to Port Authority Bus Terminal. The upper level handles passenger vehicles only. The lower level carries buses, trucks, and passenger cars.

Travel time: 15 to 20 minutes off-peak, 35 to 50 minutes during weekday rush hour.

Toll cost (2026): Variable by time of day under Port Authority's pricing structure. Off-peak and overnight rates run lower than weekday peak.

Why it matters: Leonia's proximity to Fort Lee gives drivers easy GWB access via Lemoine Avenue or Fletcher Avenue. Hybrid commuters who drive 2 to 3 days per week and bus the rest get the most value out of a Leonia address.

6. Driving to Bridge Plaza in Fort Lee for Additional Bus Routes

Leonia residents can drive 5 minutes south to Bridge Plaza in Fort Lee to catch additional NJ Transit routes including the 156, 158 variants, and 188. Some commuters park at Bridge Plaza and ride from there.

Travel time: 5-minute drive plus 35 to 50 minute bus ride.

Why it matters: This option matters most for Leonia residents who work in lower Manhattan or need access to the 156's River Road routing. The flexibility to reach multiple bus terminals within 5 to 10 minutes is one of Leonia's underrated commute advantages.

7. Connecting to the Edgewater Ferry Landing

Leonia residents can drive 10 to 15 minutes east to the Edgewater Ferry Landing at 989 River Road. NY Waterway operates ferries to Midtown West 39th Street and downtown Manhattan via Port Imperial transfer.

Travel time: 10- to 15-minute drive plus 12 to 15 minute ferry crossing, totaling roughly 30 to 35 minutes door to ferry terminal.

Parking at Edgewater Ferry Landing: 24-hour accessible parking with daily and monthly rates published on nywaterway.com.

Why it matters: Leonia buyers working near Bryant Park, Times Square, or Penn Station can reach Manhattan faster by ferry than by bus during heavy rush hour. The ferry is also the most reliable option during snowstorms and bridge closures.

8. Connecting to PATH and Subway from Port Authority

Once a Leonia 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: Leonia is within roughly 60 to 75 minutes of any Manhattan front door. With the 166's 44-minute base commute and 15-minute frequency, lower Manhattan destinations are reachable in well under an hour.

9. Walking Distance Analysis by Sub-Area

Leonia is a compact 1.5 square mile borough but has distinct sub-areas with different walking distances to bus stops. The Broad Avenue and Fort Lee Road intersection offers the strongest 166 access. The Main Street corridor favors the 158. The interior streets near Wood Park and Sylvan Avenue may require a 10-minute walk or driving to a stop.

What to verify: Walking distance from your specific address to the nearest bus stop with NYC service, route frequency at typical commute hours, and whether the address is within a 5- to 10-minute walk threshold.

Why it matters: Walking distance to a bus stop is the single largest unmeasured factor in Leonia resale value. Two homes at the same listing price 6 blocks apart can have very different daily commute realities.

10. Choosing the Right Commute for Your Leonia Address

Every Leonia block has a different optimal commute. A property near Broad Avenue and Fort Lee Road is a 166 commute. A property near Main Street is a 158 commute. A property in the interior near Sylvan Avenue may favor the 182 connector or driving to Bridge Plaza.

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 Leonia buyer satisfaction. A pre-purchase commute test prevents the most common 6-month buyer regret.

The Selleck Group vs Typical Agent: Leonia Commute Knowledge

Why Leonia Buyers Choose Scott Selleck

Scott Selleck has personal ties to the Leonia, Fort Lee, and Englewood corridor spanning 56 years. He grew up here. He has closed over 500 Bergen County transactions across 34 years 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 in Fort Lee.

For Leonia buyers, Scott pre-verifies bus stop proximity, multi-route flexibility, GWB access, and ferry connection options before any offer is written.

Frequently Asked Questions

What buses run from Leonia NJ to Port Authority? NJ Transit Bus 166 is the primary direct route from Leonia to Port Authority Bus Terminal in approximately 44 minutes, with departures every 15 minutes. NJ Transit Bus 158 also runs direct from Main Street at Bergen Boulevard in approximately 49 minutes. Local routes 182, 751, 755, and 756 serve interior Leonia stops with transfer connections.

How long is the bus ride from Leonia to Port Authority? Approximately 44 to 49 minutes depending on the route and pickup location. The 166 from Broad Avenue at Fort Lee Road runs approximately 44 minutes. The 158 from Main Street at Bergen Boulevard runs approximately 49 minutes via River Road.

Is there a ferry from Leonia to Manhattan? Not directly. Leonia residents drive 10 to 15 minutes east to the Edgewater Ferry Landing at 989 River Road, where NY Waterway operates ferries to Midtown West 39th Street and downtown Manhattan. Total commute via ferry runs approximately 30 to 35 minutes door to ferry terminal.

How often does the 166 bus run from Leonia? Every 15 minutes during peak hours. First bus stops in Leonia at approximately 4:13 AM. Last bus stops in Leonia at approximately 2:46 AM. The 15-minute frequency makes the 166 one of the most reliable Bergen County commute routes.

What part of Leonia has the best commute to Manhattan? Properties within a 5-minute walk of Broad Avenue at Fort Lee Road or Broad Avenue at Crescent Avenue have the strongest commute access via the 166 bus. Properties near Main Street have direct 158 access. Buyers prioritizing commute should focus on the Broad Avenue corridor first, then Main Street, then interior streets with 182 connector access.

Ready to Buy in Leonia?

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 | Port Authority NY/NJ

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