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I recently took a new job in East Hanover, off of exit 1 or 4 on 280, depending which way I come on 280. I have been on the job for a month and tried multiple routes using major roads. I have done Turnpike-Parkway-280, Turnpike-280, 206-287-80-280. I was using the Turnpike-280 for the 1st week then it got so bad I switched over to 206-287. I usually leave my house around 6:45am and leave the job around 6:30pm. 287 is usually pretty good, but 206 has been driving me crazy both ways. I am searching for some alternative back ways to cut out 206 completely. I understand the commute time will probably be similar no matter what, but sitting in 1 lane of traffic on 206 for 1 hour+ each way is dreadful.
I would really appreciate any insight on this as I am new to traveling in the North Jersey area. Thank you.
31 to 202 to 287 is a bit out the way but has less traffic, at least until Bridgewater. The aforementioned rout along the can works too. You can also do rt. 601, which starts as Elm Road off of 206 in Princeton, and follow that north up to Bridgewater.
One of the many transportation deficiences in this state is the lack of a Freeway connecting 287 and 298. While in theory this should keep that stretch of Central Jersey tranquil, in actuality it has just led to even worse congestion, especially along 202.
I recently took a new job in East Hanover, off of exit 1 or 4 on 280, depending which way I come on 280. I have been on the job for a month and tried multiple routes using major roads. I have done Turnpike-Parkway-280, Turnpike-280, 206-287-80-280. I was using the Turnpike-280 for the 1st week then it got so bad I switched over to 206-287. I usually leave my house around 6:45am and leave the job around 6:30pm. 287 is usually pretty good, but 206 has been driving me crazy both ways. I am searching for some alternative back ways to cut out 206 completely. I understand the commute time will probably be similar no matter what, but sitting in 1 lane of traffic on 206 for 1 hour+ each way is dreadful.
I would really appreciate any insight on this as I am new to traveling in the North Jersey area. Thank you.
I have a somewhat similar commute, but it's shorter and reverse. I traverse 206 as well. I take backroads, but unless 206 has an accident, at the end its about the same amount of time. All of the shortcuts that I use along 287 and to the Turnpike are really only of any use to circumvent accidents or spot construction.
I really don't think it can better, especially considering the time you leave. I leave much later, during peak traffic and 287 is actually the worst part of my commute.
One thing you might consider is coming in even earlier than you do, working later, and then asking for Friday off.
Moving will eventually be an option. In the short-term I am locked in an apartment lease so the earliest a move could happen would be mid-2016.
Believe it or not it is possible to break a lease. I have done it twice. Both times all I did was lose my security deposit. Talk to your landlord and see what your options are. You might lose some money but it sounds like it could be worth it in the long run.
I used to commute from Route 202 area in Harding to Skillman. I don't remember all of the road names, but get off 287S at the Bridgewater mall exit. Go down to the old circle and go around and get on 206. Go about a mile or two just past the mall on the right and make a right turn (Rte 626) and go behind the mall to the traffic light. At the light make a left (625-River Road), go over the bridge and follow River Road to Beekman Rd on the left. Make left on Beekman, go to end, make right on 514. Make a left on E. Mountain Rd (677) and follow south to end. Make a right on Belle Mead- Blawenberg Rd (601). This turns into Great Rd/Elm St and intersects with 206 just south of Princeton.
This route would take me 45-50 minutes depending on how I did at the lights between 287 and River Rd and in Bell Mead, but it certainly beat going up 206. There are no traffic lights from the one near the bridge behind the shopping center until you got down to Bell Mead. There were a couple there and it could take a few minutes to get through town. Most of River Rd and Beekman was cutting through farmland.
Thank you for everyone's input so far. I took some back roads home yesterday and it was so much less stressful than being on 206. I took 287 south to exit 12. From there I'm not sure exactly what roads I was on but I think I was on 533 for a while. There were no lights and barely any other cars. The time was about the same, maybe 5 minutes quicker. I will pay more attention tonight for more details.
Thanks again.
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