Considering a move to Roxbury and wondering how the commute stacks up? You are not alone. Roxbury sits about 30 to 40 miles from Midtown Manhattan, and you have several solid ways to get to NYC and major New Jersey job centers. In this guide, you will see realistic train, bus, park-and-ride, and driving options, plus planning tips to choose the best fit for your schedule and budget. Let’s dive in.
Roxbury commute snapshot
Roxbury Township includes Ledgewood, Landing, and Succasunna/Kenvil. There is no NJ Transit rail station inside the township, so most commuters drive or get dropped off at a nearby station or park-and-ride before heading into the city.
Typical door-to-door times to Midtown Manhattan vary by mode and time of day:
- By rail with a short drive to a station: about 60 to 90 minutes during peak periods.
- By express commuter bus: about 60 to 90 minutes, depending on route and traffic.
- By car all the way into Manhattan: about 60 to 120+ minutes at peak; off-peak can be shorter.
Rail to NYC and Hoboken
Nearby stations used by Roxbury residents
You will likely start with a short drive or drop-off at one of several nearby NJ Transit stations:
- Denville Station. A major junction with frequent peak service and larger parking options.
- Dover Station. On the Morristown line with service to Hoboken and Midtown.
- Netcong, Mount Olive, and Lake Hopatcong area stations. Convenient from western Roxbury neighborhoods.
- Morristown Station. A major stop with frequent service and parking.
Which station you choose depends on your neighborhood, parking availability, and whether your target trains run direct to Midtown.
Service patterns that affect your time
- Midtown Direct trains on the Morris & Essex Lines run to New York Penn Station on many peak and off-peak runs, which avoids a transfer at Secaucus Junction.
- Some Montclair-Boonton and Hackettstown line trains terminate at Hoboken, which means you will add a short transfer via PATH or NJ Transit to reach Midtown.
- Peak frequency, express vs local stops, and weekend schedules affect total time. Always verify current schedules on the official NJ Transit schedules and station pages.
Parking at rail stations
Most Morris County stations offer daily and permit parking, but availability varies and some permits have waitlists. Daily fees, lot sizes, and rules differ by station and day of week. Check each station’s latest parking details on NJ Transit’s station pages, and consider nearby stations if your first choice is full.
Park-and-ride and commuter buses
When buses make sense
Express commuter buses can be competitive with trains because they run limited-stop or nonstop into Manhattan, usually to Port Authority Bus Terminal or Hoboken. Travel time is traffic-dependent, especially near the tunnel approaches. Routes are limited in Morris County, so confirm exactly where you can board and whether a park-and-ride is available.
Finding a park-and-ride
Park-and-ride options often sit near major highways such as I-80, I-287, and Route 10. Rules vary by lot. Confirm hours, daily versus permit parking, lighting, security, and whether overnight parking is allowed. If a preferred lot is full, try an adjacent station, time a drop-off, or use a rideshare for the first or last mile. For current highway conditions that may affect bus speeds, use 511NJ real-time traffic.
Driving routes and realistic times
Primary corridors
From Roxbury, common drive routes include:
- Route 10 heading east to I-287 and other regional connectors.
- I-80 east toward the Lincoln Tunnel approach.
- I-287 north-south, linking to I-80, I-280, and other highways.
- US 46 and state routes such as 206 and 10 as alternates.
If you are driving into Manhattan, you will usually use the Lincoln Tunnel or George Washington Bridge, both with toll crossings. Your choice of crossing affects both time and cost.
Door-to-door time ranges
Real-world times depend on traffic, incidents, and weather. Here are typical ranges:
- Roxbury to Midtown Manhattan (Lincoln Tunnel area or near Port Authority): about 60 to 120+ minutes peak, about 45 to 75 minutes off-peak.
- Roxbury to Parsippany: about 15 to 30 minutes.
- Roxbury to Morristown: about 20 to 35 minutes.
- Roxbury to Newark Liberty International Airport or Downtown Newark: about 35 to 60 minutes via I-80, I-287, and I-280 depending on traffic.
- Roxbury to Princeton and the Route 1 corridor: about 50 to 80 minutes.
Before any long drive, check live incidents, construction, and travel times on 511NJ real-time traffic.
How to choose your best route
Start with your destination, schedule, and tolerance for transfers. If you are Midtown-bound on a predictable schedule, a station with Midtown Direct service can save time. If you need flexibility or end up near Hoboken, a Hoboken-bound train with a quick PATH transfer can be efficient. If you are traveling outside peak times, driving to a park-and-ride or direct driving may be faster.
Also weigh cost. Monthly train passes plus daily parking can be predictable. Driving all the way adds tolls, gas, and parking in Manhattan. Buses may provide a middle ground if a convenient express stop and reliable lot are nearby.
Buyer checklist for planning
Use this step-by-step list to pressure-test your commute before you commit:
- Identify the closest practical rail stations from your address. Map your drive times at your target commute hours.
- Confirm train schedules and whether Midtown Direct service runs at your times. Check NJ Transit schedules and station pages.
- Review parking details. Look into permit waitlists, daily fees, and overflow options.
- Explore commuter bus routes and exact boarding locations if you prefer the bus. Confirm if a park-and-ride supports that route.
- Calculate door-to-door times across modes at the exact times you would travel. Sample multiple weekdays.
- Compare monthly costs for rail plus parking versus tolls, gas, and Manhattan parking if driving.
- Plan the first and last mile. Consider timed drop-offs, rideshare, carpools, or bicycle parking where available.
- Check employer flexibility. Small shifts in start times can dramatically improve reliability.
- Test-drive your commute in person. Do a peak-hour drive, visit the platform at a candidate station, and try a full bus trip.
- On driving days, use 511NJ real-time traffic for incidents and construction updates.
Tips by Roxbury area
- Ledgewood and Succasunna. You may compare Denville, Dover, and Morristown stations for direct Midtown options and parking. Route choice often comes down to which lot is most reliable at your hour.
- Landing and Lake Hopatcong area. Netcong, Mount Olive, and Lake Hopatcong stations can be convenient, especially for western commutes. Confirm which trains run direct to Midtown versus Hoboken.
- Entire township. If your preferred lot is full, keep a backup plan with a second station, a timed drop-off, or a bus boarding point on the I-80 or Route 10 corridor.
Final thoughts
Roxbury gives you multiple reliable paths to NYC and North Jersey job centers. With a short drive to the right station, a park-and-ride plan, or a smart route into the tunnel approaches, you can build a commute that fits your schedule and budget. The key is to test your options at your actual travel times and keep a backup ready for weather or incidents.
If you are weighing neighborhoods or timing a move around a commute, we can help you map the tradeoffs. Reach out to The Tucker Team to compare stations, evaluate drive times, and find a home that works with your workday.
FAQs
What are typical Roxbury-to-Midtown commute times?
- By rail or express bus, plan about 60 to 90 minutes door to door at peak; by car into Manhattan, about 60 to 120+ minutes depending on traffic.
Which train stations do Roxbury residents use most?
- Common choices include Denville, Dover, Morristown, and the Netcong, Mount Olive, and Lake Hopatcong stations, depending on your address and parking.
Do nearby rail stations offer daily and permit parking?
- Yes, most Morris County stations have daily and permit options, but availability and fees vary and some permits have waitlists; confirm on NJ Transit’s station pages.
Are there express commuter buses from Roxbury area park-and-rides?
- There are limited express routes in Morris County to Port Authority or Hoboken; check specific operators for stops, schedules, and park-and-ride availability.
What are realistic drive times to North Jersey job hubs?
- Typical ranges are about 15 to 30 minutes to Parsippany, 20 to 35 minutes to Morristown, and 35 to 60 minutes to Newark and the airport, depending on traffic.
How can I check live road conditions before I leave?
- Use the official 511NJ real-time system for incidents, construction, and travel times across New Jersey highways.
