The Elizabeth Commute Guide: Parkway patience and train rides
Commutes, congestion, transit, and parking: what getting around Elizabeth really takes.



Diane, Our Local Expert Guiding Your Move
Diane has been rooted in New Jersey since day one and has lived everywhere from Hillside to Elizabeth to Springfield before landing in Fanwood. When she and her family moved into their current place, she was very pregnant and still refused to stop lifting boxes or scrubbing things because she wanted it done right. She is the kind of New Jerseyan who can talk about Revolutionary War history, walk you through Duke Gardens, or recommend the best apple picking without checking a map. Her food loyalties are fierce, especially when it comes to pork roll on a hard roll with melted cheese, though she will happily join any naming debate. She is a lifelong reader who once tried to leave the library with more books than her card allowed. She even crossed paths with Sinatra during an honorary degree event at Stevens. At Snappy Scout she brings sharp local insight with a Jersey wink.
Read moreWritten with local insight from Snappy Scout relocation experts
How Do You Get Around Elizabeth?
Commutes, congestion, transit, and parking: the daily logistics nobody puts on the listing.
The time I spend getting to/from work every day is
NJ Transit 30ish minutes (if it's on time!), latte intact
Traffic congestion areas to avoid
NJ Turnpike 13A near Ikea and airport, rush hours and Saturdays
Ability to get around without a car
Trains, buses and jitneys handle life. Jersey Gardens and Ikea runs demand wheels
Locals dream of driving around in a
pearl white BMW X5, third row for weekend Six Flags raids
The reality is that most locals drive
a faithful Altima, check engine glow, trunk full of Ikea
Quirky local driving habit
double parking for empanadas on Elmora, hazards flashing politely
The likelihood of finding parking
Downtown near Broad Street station scarce. Side streets fair after nine
#1 driving tip
Keep EZ Pass ready near 13A and Goethals
Where I Go for a Quiet Escape
A stroll through the Westminster section in spring. Sprawling homes in a range of styles and sense of peace and calm not far from downtown.


— Diane Briante
New Jersey Local Expert


Ready to See If Elizabeth Fits You?
Compare neighborhoods, check the routes, or head back to the full Elizabeth guide for the bigger picture.