Hi everyone, I currently live in UWS near the American Museum of Natural History. I'm interviewing for a job in Ewing, NJ and am wondering if anyone has any experience on this commute? Google Maps says it's about a 1.5 - 2 hour drive, which would be a bit of a pain (not to mention I'd have to purchase a car and parking). I'd have to be in the office 2 days/week, so would make this commute twice a week.

Does anyone have experience with this commute and suggestions on whether it's worth it or even doable?

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

0x11C3P t1_jef2hw8 wrote on March 31, 2023 at 3:26 PM

I'd just not take the job or move. That commute, unless you have odd hours, will be rough.

ansky201 t1_jef3ps0 wrote on March 31, 2023 at 3:34 PM

That is a brutal commute. You could potentially take NJ Transit from Penn Station to Trenton, and once you arrive in Trenton you would have to take an Uber to/from your workplace. The train ride alone is around 90 minutes, plus you have to factor in the time it takes to get from your apartment to Penn, plus the Uber drive time once you're in Trenton. So you're easily looking at 2 hours minimum each way and that's if everything goes smoothly. Factor in any kind of delay and it's even more of a nightmare.

RivChk t1_jefjtbg wrote on March 31, 2023 at 5:19 PM

This will be an unsustainable commute. You will quickly start thinking about moving closer or changing jobs. Also, a commute like that takes a mental and physical toll on you in a way that you’ll never be 100% sharp at work and you’ll be wiped out at home.

collegedropoutclub t1_jefmmhl wrote on March 31, 2023 at 5:37 PM

jesus christ

silentsnip94 t1_jefgx6c wrote on March 31, 2023 at 5:00 PM

As someone that has a 1.5hr commute each way to midtown on NJ Transit Train, move to NJ or don't accept the job. It's already grueling enough with time wasted not to mention the cost of commuting (around ~$30 each day... yours would be significantly higher).

Obvious_Ad9670 t1_jegw43j wrote on March 31, 2023 at 10:47 PM

Rent a room in Trenton, go to office Tuesday/Wednesday (Monday and Fridays there will be train problems.

Or just get a hotel. This avoids your commute issue. Schedule Ubers for cheaper rides.

achenx75 t1_jefcd5p wrote on March 31, 2023 at 4:30 PM

Best I can think of is train from Penn to Trenton station and then Uber to Ewing. Doing that back and forth would probably cost like 3-4 hours and $70 a day and that's not even including how the time and money from your house to Penn station.

sleepydog202 t1_jefw115 wrote on March 31, 2023 at 6:39 PM

A lot of this depends on the specifics.

Do you need to be in-office for a full 8+ hours or can you work from the train on WiFi/hotspot and just be in office for like… 6 hours? (That could be the difference between a 6:30am train vs a 8:30am train, and getting home at 6:30pm vs 8:30pm)

Will the dates/times be fairly set and reliable, or will you have to switch it up? (If you buy Amtrak tickets to Trenton you can shave off 30+ min each way. But you would want to buy them far in advance)

Ewing is a little too far from the train station though, so it would make it very complicated. Probably not worth it.

TheRacoonist t1_jeg3bp5 wrote on March 31, 2023 at 7:27 PM

Can you do the 2 days in office consecutive and just stay there overnight?

iamnotree t1_jef3qpp wrote on March 31, 2023 at 3:35 PM

Even twice a week, you're looking at 7-8 hours of driving per week. You'd have to buy a car and parking (as you mention). Train/bus might be a better option if you really love the job, but it's a terrible commute. Going against traffic getting out of the city, but you'll find other traffic along 95/287/etc.

Unusual-Okra9251 t1_jef5f2u wrote on March 31, 2023 at 3:45 PM

I did UWS (82nd St.) to New Brunswick on the train and that was a good 1.5 hours door to door. I can't imagine driving it. If you're doing it twice a week and don't want to leave NYC, you're probably best off taking the train to Trenton and taking an Uber to Ewing, but it's a haul.

jpporcaro t1_jefi32n wrote on March 31, 2023 at 5:07 PM

1.5 - 2 hours is a correct assumption.

Ok_Slide_4626 t1_jeg59s9 wrote on March 31, 2023 at 7:40 PM

See if maybe you can negotiate it down to 1x/week after you get an offer?

thebruns t1_jegp0q3 wrote on March 31, 2023 at 9:55 PM

Absolutely not

FordMan100 t1_jef97cm wrote on March 31, 2023 at 4:10 PM

Download the NJ Transit app from the appropriate app store. It has a feature of a trip planner where you can search from point A address to point B address and will tell you all you need to know, including cost. I use it all the time, and it's more reliable than the transit is at times. Sometimes, you have to set the distance to walk higher than the standard setting of a half a mile for it to give you the way to get there.