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

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

Bottom line: Palisades Park NJ commuters have three primary commute paths to Manhattan. NJ Transit Bus 166 runs directly from stops along Broad Avenue to Port Authority Bus Terminal in approximately 38 to 46 minutes, with departures roughly every 30 minutes. NJ Transit Bus 165 also serves Broad Avenue corridor stops with direct Port Authority service. Driving across the George Washington Bridge takes 15 to 35 minutes depending on time of day. For ferry options, Palisades Park residents drive 10 minutes east to the Edgewater Ferry Landing or to Bridge Plaza in Fort Lee for additional bus routes. The right option depends on your address relative to Broad Avenue and your Manhattan destination.

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

1. NJ Transit Bus 166 — The Primary Palisades Park Commute Route

The 166 is the workhorse route for Palisades Park residents. It runs directly along Broad Avenue with stops at Oakdene Avenue, Maple Avenue, Central Boulevard, and West Central Boulevard, with direct service to Port Authority Bus Terminal at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue.

Pickup points in Palisades Park: Broad Avenue at Oakdene Avenue, Broad Avenue at Maple Avenue, Broad Avenue at Central Boulevard, and stops along the Broad Avenue corridor.

Travel time: Approximately 38 minutes from Oakdene Avenue to Port Authority. Frequency every 30 minutes.

Why it matters: Buyers within a 5-minute walk of any Broad Avenue stop have a one-bus, sub-40-minute commute to Midtown Manhattan. That walkability premium is one of the strongest resale factors in Palisades Park.

2. NJ Transit Bus 165 — Alternative Direct Service

The 165 also runs along the Broad Avenue corridor with direct Port Authority service. It serves slightly different stops than the 166 and offers commuters route flexibility.

Pickup points in Palisades Park: Broad Avenue corridor stops including Maple Avenue.

Travel time: Approximately 60 minutes during off-peak with longer route variations.

Why it matters: Commuters living near a stop served by both the 165 and 166 effectively have double the frequency of departures. That redundancy reduces the impact of any single delay or breakdown on a workday.

3. NJ Transit Bus 751 — Local Connector to the 159 Line

The 751 is a local connector route running along Anderson Avenue. Riders transfer at Anderson Avenue at Deerwood Road to catch the 159 bus into Port Authority.

Pickup points in Palisades Park: Broad Avenue at Oakdene Avenue and connector stops to Anderson Avenue.

Travel time: Approximately 51 minutes total including transfer.

Why it matters: The 751 connector option matters most for buyers in the eastern part of Palisades Park near Anderson Avenue, 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. Driving to Manhattan via the George Washington Bridge

The GWB is approximately 9.2 road miles from Palisades Park to Port Authority Bus Terminal. The upper level handles passenger vehicles only. The lower level carries buses, trucks, and passenger cars.

Travel time: 15 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. Off-peak and overnight rates run lower than weekday peak.

Why it matters: Palisades Park's proximity to the GWB approach via Lemoine Avenue or Bergen Boulevard gives drivers flexible access. Hybrid commuters who drive 2 to 3 days per week and bus the rest get the most value out of a Palisades Park address.

5. Connecting to the Edgewater Ferry Landing

Palisades Park residents can drive 5 to 10 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: 5 to 10 minute drive plus 12 to 15 minute ferry crossing, totaling roughly 20 to 30 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: Palisades Park buyers working near Bryant Park, Times Square, or Penn Station can reach Manhattan faster by ferry than by bus, especially during weekday rush. The ferry is also the most reliable option during snowstorms and bridge closures.

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

Palisades Park residents can drive 5 minutes north to Bridge Plaza in Fort Lee to catch additional NJ Transit routes including the 156, 158, 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 Palisades Park 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 Palisades Park's underrated commute advantages.

7. The 4.5-Mile Distance Advantage

Palisades Park sits approximately 9 to 10 road miles from Port Authority Bus Terminal. Drive distance to the GWB approach is roughly 4.5 miles. This compact geography compresses commute variability — even bad-traffic days rarely exceed 45 to 60 minutes door to door.

Why it matters: Buyers comparing Palisades Park to other Bergen County boroughs on commute should look at variance, not just average. A consistent 35 to 45 minute commute is more valuable than a "30-minute average" with frequent 75-minute outliers.

8. Connecting to PATH and Subway from Port Authority

Once a Palisades Park 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: The Port Authority Bus Terminal puts the entire borough of Manhattan within roughly 60 to 75 minutes of any Palisades Park front door. That accessibility is not available from many Bergen County towns at the same price point.

9. Parking Considerations for Bus and Ferry Commuters

Palisades Park is a residential borough with on-street parking and limited dedicated commuter lots. Some residents drive to nearby Fort Lee, Edgewater, or Cliffside Park to access parking-equipped commute options.

What to consider: Walking distance from your address to a bus stop, parking availability at nearby commuter terminals, and resident parking permit requirements in Palisades Park.

Why it matters: A Palisades Park buyer with a 12-minute walk to a 166 stop has a different commute reality than a buyer with a 4-minute walk. Pre-purchase walking-distance verification is one of the highest-leverage research steps.

10. Choosing the Right Commute for Your Palisades Park Address

Every Palisades Park block has a different optimal commute. A property near Broad Avenue and Oakdene Avenue is a 166 commute. A property near Anderson Avenue is a 751-to-159 commute. A property near Lemoine Avenue may favor driving to Bridge Plaza for the 156. A property near the Edgewater border may favor the ferry.

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

The Selleck Group vs Typical Agent: Palisades Park Commute Knowledge

Why Palisades Park Buyers Choose Scott Selleck

Scott Selleck has worked the Palisades Park, Fort Lee, Cliffside Park, and Leonia corridor for 34 years. His office is at 2200 Fletcher Avenue, Suite 502, in Fort Lee — minutes from Broad Avenue and the Palisades Park border. 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 Palisades Park 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 Palisades Park NJ to Port Authority? NJ Transit routes 165 and 166 both run along Broad Avenue with direct service to Port Authority Bus Terminal at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue. The 166 is the fastest direct route at approximately 38 minutes. The 751 connector route plus the 159 bus offers an alternative path via Anderson Avenue with a transfer at Deerwood Road.

How long is the bus ride from Palisades Park to Port Authority? Approximately 38 to 60 minutes depending on the route, time of day, and pickup location. The 166 from Broad Avenue at Oakdene Avenue runs approximately 38 minutes. The 165 and 751-to-159 connector options run longer.

Is there a ferry from Palisades Park to Manhattan? Not directly. Palisades Park residents drive 5 to 10 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 20 to 30 minutes door to ferry terminal.

How far is Palisades Park NJ from the George Washington Bridge? Approximately 4.5 road miles. Driving to the GWB approach via Lemoine Avenue or Bergen Boulevard takes 5 to 10 minutes off-peak.

What part of Palisades Park has the best commute to Manhattan? Properties within a 5-minute walk of Broad Avenue stops served by the 166 bus have the strongest commute access. Buyers prioritizing commute should focus on the Broad Avenue corridor first, then consider properties near Lemoine Avenue with quick GWB access for hybrid commuters.

Ready to Buy in Palisades Park?

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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