How far is NJ from NYC? Very close at the northern end: Hoboken and Jersey City sit about 3 to 4 miles in a straight line from Times Square, just across the Hudson River, and Newark is about 10 miles away. Farther south, Trenton is about 55 miles from Midtown Manhattan, Atlantic City about 100 miles and Cape May about 135 miles in a straight line. By car or transit, trips range from roughly 15 minutes from Hoboken or Newark to 3 hours or more from Cape May, and driving in costs $16.79 in Port Authority tolls at peak times with E-ZPass, plus a $9 congestion toll below 60th Street.
Key Takeaways
- Closest points: Hoboken (about 3 miles) and Jersey City (about 4 miles) are straight-line neighbors of Midtown Manhattan.
- Fastest rail link: NJ Transit calls Newark Penn Station to New York Penn Station a 15 to 20-minute trip.
- Farthest point: Cape May is about 135 miles from Times Square in a straight line and roughly 156 miles by road.
- 2026 Hudson tolls: $16.79 E-ZPass peak and $14.79 off-peak at the Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel and George Washington Bridge, charged only into New York.
- Congestion toll: $9 for E-ZPass cars at peak times in Manhattan at or below 60th Street, with up to a $3 credit for Lincoln and Holland Tunnel users.
- PATH fare: $3.25 per ride since May 2026, with trains running 24 hours a day.
Tolls and fares checked against MTA, Port Authority, NJ Transit, PATH and news reports in September 2026. Distances are approximate, and travel times vary with traffic and schedules.
How Far Is NJ From NYC by City?
The table below shows approximate straight-line distances from each city’s center to Times Square, calculated from published city coordinates, along with approximate driving distances from trip-planning data. Road miles are always longer because routes must reach a bridge or tunnel.
| NJ city | Straight line to Times Square (approx.) | Driving distance to Manhattan (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Hoboken | 3 miles | 6 miles |
| Jersey City | 4 miles | 10 miles |
| Newark | 10 miles | 15 to 16 miles |
| Paterson | 15 miles | 20 miles |
| New Brunswick | 31 miles | 40 miles |
| Princeton | 45 miles | 54 miles |
| Trenton | 55 miles | 64 miles |
| Atlantic City | 99 miles | 122 miles |
| Cape May | 135 miles | 156 miles |
As a result, the honest answer to how far is NJ from NYC depends on where you start. Hudson County is part of the city’s daily commute, while the southern shore is a day trip.
Typical Travel Times: How Far Is NJ From NYC in Minutes
Travel times below are typical figures from transit agencies and trip-planning data. Rush-hour traffic, tunnel backups and train delays can add a lot of time, so check live schedules before you go.
| From | Best transit option | Typical transit time | Typical drive (light traffic) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoboken | PATH to 33rd Street or ferry to West 39th Street | Often under 30 minutes | About 15 minutes |
| Jersey City | PATH from Journal Square to 33rd Street | About 45 minutes or less, including any subway connection | About 20 minutes |
| Newark | NJ Transit or Amtrak to New York Penn Station | 15 to 20 minutes | About 25 minutes |
| Paterson | NJ Transit train via Secaucus, or bus to Port Authority | About 45 minutes by train | About 30 minutes |
| New Brunswick | NJ Transit Northeast Corridor | About 1 hour | About 50 minutes |
| Princeton | NJ Transit from Princeton Junction | About 1 hour 20 minutes, including the connection | About 1 hour 10 minutes |
| Trenton | NJ Transit or Amtrak | About 55 minutes on Amtrak, longer on NJ Transit | About 1 hour 20 minutes |
| Atlantic City | NJ Transit bus to Port Authority Bus Terminal | About 2.5 hours | About 2.5 hours |
| Cape May | Bus with a transfer, usually in Atlantic City | About 4.5 to 5.5 hours | About 3 hours |
The Northeast Corridor Line runs 58.1 miles from Trenton to New York Penn Station, with stops that include Princeton Junction, New Brunswick, Newark Airport, Newark Penn Station and Secaucus Junction.
Ways to Cross the Hudson
When people ask how far is NJ from NYC, the crossing matters as much as the mileage. Every trip into Manhattan ends with one of a handful of river crossings, and each one serves a different part of the island.
Holland Tunnel
The Holland Tunnel opened in 1927 and links Jersey City with Canal Street in Lower Manhattan. It is the natural choice for SoHo, Tribeca and the Financial District.
Lincoln Tunnel
The Lincoln Tunnel connects Weehawken with Midtown, with its Manhattan portals near 38th and 39th Streets. Its first tube opened in 1937. On weekday mornings from 6 to 10 a.m., an Exclusive Bus Lane carries about 1,850 buses and 70,000 commuters toward the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
George Washington Bridge
The George Washington Bridge links Fort Lee with Upper Manhattan. It works well for Bergen County drivers and for trips to the Bronx or New England, but Midtown is still a long drive south once you cross.
PATH Trains
PATH trains run 24 hours a day. The Hoboken–33rd Street and Journal Square–33rd Street lines stop at Christopher Street, 9th Street, 14th Street, 23rd Street and 33rd Street. Other lines run from Newark and Hoboken to the World Trade Center.
NJ Transit Trains and Buses
The Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Lines run directly to New York Penn Station. Riders on the Main and Bergen County Lines change at Secaucus Junction, while several other lines end at Hoboken Terminal, where PATH and ferries connect. In addition, NJ Transit buses from across the state end at the Port Authority Bus Terminal on 42nd Street.
Ferries
NY Waterway runs ferries from Hoboken, Paulus Hook in Jersey City, Port Imperial and Lincoln Harbor in Weehawken, and Edgewater to Midtown at West 39th Street, with several routes also serving Brookfield Place and Pier 11/Wall Street. From the Monmouth County shore, Seastreak sails from Highlands and Atlantic Highlands to East 35th Street, Lower Manhattan and Brookfield Place, with a one-way flex fare of $29.
2026 Tolls for Driving Into New York
Cost matters as much as distance when you ask how far is NJ from NYC by car. The Port Authority raised crossing tolls in early January 2026, and all six of its bridges and tunnels are now cashless. Tolls are charged only in the New York-bound direction, so the return trip to New Jersey is free.
| Payment type (car) | Toll into New York |
|---|---|
| E-ZPass, peak hours | $16.79 |
| E-ZPass, off-peak | $14.79 |
| Tolls by Mail | More than $23 |
Peak hours are weekdays 6 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 8 p.m., plus weekends 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The rates apply at the Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel and George Washington Bridge, as well as the three Staten Island bridges. Starting in January 2027, the $2 off-peak E-ZPass discount is scheduled to shrink by 50 cents a year until it disappears.
The Manhattan Congestion Toll
Since January 2025, the MTA has charged a toll to enter the Congestion Relief Zone, which covers Manhattan streets at or below 60th Street. The FDR Drive and the West Side Highway are excluded.
| Congestion toll detail | 2026 rule |
|---|---|
| Peak toll, car with E-ZPass | $9, charged once per day |
| Overnight toll, car with E-ZPass | $2.25 |
| Peak hours | 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekends |
| Crossing credit | Up to $3 at peak for E-ZPass users of the Lincoln or Holland Tunnel |
| Without E-ZPass | Higher Tolls by Mail rates |
| Scheduled increases | $12 in 2028 and $15 in 2031 |
For example, a driver with E-ZPass who takes the Lincoln Tunnel into Midtown at rush hour pays $16.79 to the Port Authority plus $6 after the crossing credit, or $22.79 in total, before parking. The George Washington Bridge is not among the crossings that earn the credit.
Transit Fares at a Glance
| Mode | Fare or cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PATH | $3.25 per ride | Scheduled to rise 25 cents each January through 2029 |
| Seastreak ferry | $29 one way | Commuter ticket books cost less per trip |
| NJ Transit rail and bus | Varies by distance | Check the NJ Transit app or fare tables |
For daily commuters, how far is NJ from NYC often matters less than the daily cost. Transit usually beats driving on cost once tolls, the congestion charge and Manhattan parking are added up.
Tips for Getting From NJ to NYC
Mileage is only part of how far is NJ from NYC in practice. These habits save time and money on the trip.
- Use E-ZPass. Tolls by Mail costs several dollars more per crossing, and the congestion credit only applies to E-ZPass.
- Avoid peak toll hours when you can, since off-peak crossings are $2 cheaper for now.
- Park and ride. Stations such as Secaucus Junction, Hoboken and Newark Penn let you skip the tunnels entirely.
- Take PATH late at night. It runs around the clock, unlike many bus routes.
- Consider the ferry from Hoboken, Weehawken or the Monmouth shore for a quicker, calmer ride to Midtown or Lower Manhattan.
More NJ Guides
Driving south instead? Our guide to NJ Turnpike rest stops covers every service area, and our things to do in Cape May NJ guide helps plan a shore trip. If you are sailing from Bayonne, see cruises from NJ. Find more travel help in our Getting Around section or on the homepage.
Frequently Asked Questions About How Far Is NJ From NYC
How far is NJ from NYC in miles?
It depends on the town. Hoboken and Jersey City are about 3 to 4 miles from Times Square in a straight line, Newark about 10 miles, Trenton about 55 miles and Cape May about 135 miles.
How far is NJ from NYC by train?
From Hudson County, PATH trains to 33rd Street are usually fastest. From Newark, NJ Transit reaches New York Penn Station in 15 to 20 minutes.
How much is the Lincoln Tunnel toll in 2026?
Cars pay $16.79 with E-ZPass at peak times and $14.79 off-peak, charged only when heading into New York. Tolls by Mail costs more than $23.
Do NJ drivers pay congestion pricing in Manhattan?
Yes. Cars with E-ZPass pay $9 at peak times to enter Manhattan at or below 60th Street, with up to a $3 credit for using the Lincoln or Holland Tunnel.
Is there a toll to drive from NYC back to New Jersey?
No. Port Authority tolls at the Hudson River crossings are charged only in the New York-bound direction.
How much does PATH cost?
A single PATH ride costs $3.25 since May 2026, and the fare is scheduled to rise 25 cents each January through 2029.
Can you take a ferry from New Jersey to Manhattan?
Yes. NY Waterway runs ferries from Hoboken, Jersey City, Weehawken and Edgewater, and Seastreak sails from Highlands and Atlantic Highlands.
How long is the drive from Atlantic City to NYC?
The drive is about 122 miles and usually takes around 2.5 hours in light traffic. NJ Transit buses to Port Authority take about the same time.
The Bottom Line
How far is NJ from NYC? From Hoboken or Jersey City it is only a few miles and a short PATH ride, while Trenton is about 55 miles away and Cape May about 135 miles in a straight line. Rail and ferries are usually the easiest way in. If you drive, budget $16.79 for a peak E-ZPass crossing plus the $9 congestion toll, minus any tunnel credit, and check live traffic before you leave.