| Author |
Message |
    
deborahg
Citizen
Username: Deborahg
Post Number: 671
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, September 11, 2003 - 3:33 pm: | 
|
I'm going to be commuting several times a week to Glen Rock, NJ--near Fairlawn. The only way I know to get there is to take the GSP to exit 160, then 208N to DeBoer Road. Two questions:
1. Does anyone commute in that direction, and when are the best/worst times to take the Parkway? (I have a little bit of leeway--not much--in terms of arrival time.)
2. Do you know any good alternatives to the Parkway for days with horrendous traffic? |
Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 137
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 11, 2003 - 3:46 pm: |
|
I do the South Orange to Fairlawn everyday. There is no easy way that I know of.
The only shortcut I did find was exit 156? (Rt 46 & 20). This takes you up river road(Rt 20), take that to Fairlawn ave. (5 miles). Then Fairlawn Ave. to 208 N. This gets you off the GSP right before it backs up for the Bergen tolls.
I leave around 7:30, gets me to work right around 8, but 1 accident on the GSP will cost you 15-20 min.
I used to leave at 4:30 to beat the traffic but there are so many cars trying to do the same thing, it like a race track. I drive really fast and I’m even uncomfortable. The traffic has been getting better now that summer is over.
On heavy traffic days I sometimes get off the GSP at Grove St. and cut through Montclair. I don’t think it saves time just sanity. Same thing with getting off in Bloomfield.
|
mayhewdrive
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 385
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, September 11, 2003 - 4:07 pm: |
|
Coming South, I often get off at 157(?) for Route 46 West and then take Route 21 South into Newark (it virtually parallels the Parkway - and there are no tolls). You then have to find your way to 280 (which can be a bit tricky). When the Parkway is bumper-to-bumper, this is a good alternate as I have never been in traffic on Route 21.
The other option coming South is to get off at 149 & take the "service road" which parallels the Parkway.
Going North ,both of these options are possible too, but I've never had the real need in the AM. |
Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 138
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 11, 2003 - 4:10 pm: |
|
I can't find an easy way from that service road to 280. I keep getting turned around, ended up heading north once.
21 sounds interesting. |
mayhewdrive
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 386
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, September 11, 2003 - 5:59 pm: |
|
From that "service road", the Parkway will be immediately on your left, so you will see where the exit for 280 is. At that point, bear right & follow the streets through some of the more "interesting" parts of East Orange. Eventually, you will come to Freeway Drive West(or something like that) which is the "service road" that parallels Route 280. Stay on that and eventually it will lead you onto 280 West immediately before the exit for South Orange/Montclair.
It takes some experimenting, some bravery & some locked doors, but if traffic is really bad, it keeps you moving. |
deborahg
Citizen
Username: Deborahg
Post Number: 672
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, September 11, 2003 - 11:45 pm: |
|
Thanks for this great info! Which are the best/worst times, would you say: 8am or 8:30 or 9am going up, 5pm or 5:30 or 6 coming down? |
mayhewdrive
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 387
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, September 12, 2003 - 7:34 pm: |
|
Going North, I find it's usually not SO bad between 8 & 9am (though the Bergen Tolls at 1Exit 160 are usually the biggest bottleneck & can back up for miles sometimes)
Coming South, anything between 5:30pm & 6:30pm is pretty bad. After 6:30pm usually isn't terrible. |
ErinS
Citizen
Username: Erins
Post Number: 33
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 10:27 pm: |
|
I work in Franklin Lakes and used to commute there from Montclair, so I knew all the back roads.
OptionA: Parkway, to 46 East, to Rte 20, make right onto Fairlawn Avenue to get to the center of town (Rte 208). I did this route for 3 years...rarely is there traffic, but things can get iffy where 80/46/20 all meet.
OptionB: Take 24W to 287N to 208. More miles (will add at least 8 miles to your journey, if not more), but can be faster because the speed limit is 65 on 24 & 287. 24 gets backed up around the 287 junction, but once you get on 287 N it's smooth sailing. 287 N RARELY has traffic, but the people drive very fast (minimum of 75-80mph). 208 may get dicey with the traffic going towards NYC. You can always get off and take the streets.
OptionC; 280W to 287N to 208. This is my favorite route...65 mph, rarely traffic, but more miles.
Best time to drive the Parkway in the morning: before 7:30am.
In the evening:, 4-4:30pm, after 6:30pm. After 7:00pm you practically have the Parkway to your self! |
|
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page