Anthony Licciardello | June 19, 2026
Mountainside, NJ
Commuting · Mountainside, NJ
Mountainside asks one real concession in exchange for its quiet: there's no train station within the borough. For a town this close to Manhattan, that surprises people — but it rarely turns out to be a dealbreaker, because the options around it are genuinely good. A direct bus runs to Midtown, several first-rate rail stations sit a few minutes' drive away, and two major highways flank the town. The honest truth is simply that Mountainside is a car-first place. Here's exactly how residents get to the city, so you can decide whether the tradeoff works for you.
This guide is part of our complete coverage of the borough. For the full picture, start at our complete guide to buying and selling in Mountainside.
The most direct car-free option is NJ Transit's bus line 114, which runs from the Route 22 corridor into the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan in roughly an hour, depending on traffic and time of day. For a commuter who'd rather read than drive, it's a real one-seat ride to the city without ever touching a train. Schedules and fares shift, so check the current timetable and price in the NJ Transit app before you build a routine around it — but as a baseline, the bus makes a no-car commute genuinely possible from Mountainside.
From the Broker
“The 'no train' line scares people off before they do the math. Ten minutes to Summit puts you on a one-seat ride to Penn — or take the bus and skip driving entirely. Mountainside buyers aren't giving up the commute; they're trading a short drive for a much bigger backyard.”
Anthony Licciardello, Broker, The Prodigy Team
For most rail commuters, the move is a short drive to a neighboring town's station. The standout is Summit — about ten minutes away — where the Morris & Essex Line's Midtown Direct service offers a one-seat ride straight into New York Penn Station, no transfer. It's one of the most desirable commutes in the state, and Mountainside residents get it without paying Summit prices. Alternatively, Westfield and Cranford sit a few minutes off on the Raritan Valley Line, and Berkeley Heights offers another nearby option. In practice, you choose your station by where you're headed and trade a few minutes of driving for the rail ride you want.
Watch Out
Commuter parking at neighboring stations often requires a town permit — and some have waitlists for residents and limited or pricier options for non-residents. If your plan depends on driving to Summit or Westfield and parking daily, confirm permit availability and cost before you count on it.
Mountainside is built for the car, and it's well placed for it. Route 22 and Interstate 78 flank the borough, with the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike a short hop beyond, putting Newark about 13 miles away and lower Manhattan roughly 25. Newark Liberty International Airport is an easy drive, a real plus for frequent flyers. Driving into Manhattan is certainly possible for off-peak trips, though tolls and traffic make rail or bus the saner choice for a daily commute. For getting around the region — errands, schools, the shopping and dining in nearby Westfield and Springfield — the highway access is genuinely convenient.
Here's the honest framing. Mountainside trades the walk-to-train convenience of a rail town for space, privacy, and the Watchung Reservation at its back. For a household that's comfortable driving a few minutes to a station — or taking the bus — that's a trade well worth making, and it's a big part of why the borough stays quiet. If a true door-to-platform walk is non-negotiable for you, a rail town may fit better; if you'll happily swap ten minutes of driving for a bigger lot and the woods, Mountainside delivers. We weigh it fully in our case for New York buyers moving to Mountainside, alongside the neighborhoods guide.
Worried about the commute? Let's map it to your routine.
The “no train” question is the first thing New York and Staten Island buyers ask about Mountainside — and the answer is usually better than they expect. The Prodigy Team can walk you through bus, drive-to-train, and parking realities for your specific commute, and match you to a home positioned for it. We work both sides of the water.
Anthony Licciardello, Broker, The Prodigy Team · 718-873-7345
See What Your Mountainside Home Is Worth
No. Mountainside has no train station of its own. Residents take NJ Transit bus line 114 to the Port Authority in Midtown, about an hour, or drive a few minutes to catch a train in Summit, Westfield, Cranford, or Berkeley Heights.
For many residents, driving about ten minutes to Summit and taking the Midtown Direct one-seat train to New York Penn Station is the fastest rail option. The bus 114 to the Port Authority is the simplest car-free route. Actual times vary with traffic and schedules.
It's possible using NJ Transit bus line 114 to Midtown, but Mountainside is largely a car-first town. Most rail commuters drive to a neighboring station, so having a car makes commuting considerably easier and expands your options.
Lower Manhattan is roughly 25 miles away and Newark about 13 miles, with Route 22 and Interstate 78 providing highway access. Most commuters reach the city by bus or by driving to a nearby train station rather than driving all the way in.
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