When buyers ask me about commute times, they want real numbers, not estimates. How long does it actually take to get from Medford to Center City Philadelphia at 8:00 AM on a Tuesday? What is the drive like from Mount Laurel to 30th Street Station? Can you really get from Collingswood to Philadelphia in 12 minutes on the train? Here is what I have learned from 20 years of helping buyers make these exact calculations.
Commute time is one of the most important factors in choosing a South Jersey town. It affects your daily schedule, your housing budget, your stress levels, and ultimately your quality of life. This guide gives you realistic commute times from every major town in the region, based on real experience and actual commute patterns.
12-40 min
Typical Commute Range
90 min
NJ Transit to NYC
3
Bridges to Philadelphia
24/7
PATCO Service
Commute Times to Philadelphia by Town
Below are realistic commute times from major South Jersey towns to Center City Philadelphia. Times are based on typical weekday peak-hour traffic (8:00-9:00 AM) and regular PATCO/NJ Transit schedules. Your actual commute may vary depending on exact origin and destination, weather, and road conditions.
| Town | Drive | Train | Best Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collingswood | 15-20 min | 12 min (PATCO) | PATCO |
| Haddonfield | 20-25 min | 15 min (PATCO) | PATCO |
| Cherry Hill | 20-30 min | 17 min (PATCO) | PATCO |
| Moorestown | 25-35 min | N/A | Drive |
| Mount Laurel | 20-30 min | 35-45 min (bus) | Drive |
| Marlton | 25-35 min | 40-50 min (bus) | Drive |
| Medford | 30-40 min | 50-60 min (bus) | Drive |
| Cinnaminson | 20-30 min | 35-45 min (River LINE + PATCO) | Drive |
| Palmyra | 15-20 min | 30-40 min (River LINE + PATCO) | Drive |
| Riverton | 15-20 min | 30-40 min (River LINE + PATCO) | Drive |
| Delran | 20-30 min | 35-45 min (River LINE + PATCO) | Drive |
| Bordentown | 30-40 min | 35-45 min (River LINE + NJT) | Drive or Train |
| Florence | 30-40 min | 35-45 min (River LINE + NJT) | Drive or Train |
| Burlington City | 25-35 min | 40-50 min (bus or River LINE) | Drive |
| Lumberton | 30-40 min | 50-60 min (bus) | Drive |
All times are approximate and based on peak-hour travel. Off-peak times are typically 10-15 minutes shorter. Your actual commute will vary based on exact locations and conditions.
Commute Times to New York City
For commuters who need to reach New York City, South Jersey has solid options through NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor Line from Trenton. The drive to New York is also feasible for occasional trips, though daily commuting is not practical for most people.
| Town | Drive to NYC | Train to NYC |
|---|---|---|
| Bordentown | 75-90 min | 75-85 min (NJT from Trenton) |
| Florence | 75-90 min | 80-90 min (River LINE + NJT) |
| Mount Laurel | 90-100 min | 90-100 min (drive to Trenton + NJT) |
| Moorestown | 90-100 min | 90-100 min (drive to Trenton + NJT) |
| Medford | 100-110 min | 100-110 min (drive to Trenton + NJT) |
For most Burlington County residents, commuting to New York City is a 1.5 to 2-hour trip each way. This is doable for a few days a week, but it is a long day. Many of my clients who work in New York choose to live in northern Burlington County towns like Bordentown or Florence that are closer to the Trenton Transit Center, where NJ Transit trains to Penn Station run frequently.
Commute Times to Other Regional Job Centers
South Jersey is also well-positioned for commuting to other regional job centers:
- Princeton: 30-45 minutes from Burlington County via Route 206 or I-295
- Camden: 15-30 minutes from most Burlington County towns
- Cherry Hill / Mount Laurel office parks: 10-25 minutes from most Burlington County towns
- Philadelphia International Airport: 25-40 minutes from most Burlington County towns
- Wilmington, DE: 45-60 minutes from southern Burlington County
- Atlantic City: 45-60 minutes from southern Burlington County via the Atlantic City Expressway
How to Estimate Your Commute Before You Move
Here is the advice I give every buyer who is considering a move to South Jersey:
- Test the commute twice. Do the drive from the town you are considering to your workplace during peak hours on a weekday. Do it at least twice. A single test can be misleading due to random traffic conditions.
- Try the train at least once. If you think you will take PATCO or NJ Transit, do the actual commute from the station near your prospective home. Check the parking situation. See how the schedule works with your work hours.
- Factor in the last mile. The time from the train station or parking garage to your actual desk matters. Do not count your commute as over when you get to the station.
- Consider hybrid schedules. Many employers now offer hybrid work schedules. If you only commute 2-3 days per week, a slightly longer commute may be acceptable in exchange for a better home or neighborhood.
- Be realistic about off-peak promises. Everyone says they will commute at 6:00 AM to avoid traffic. Few people actually do it consistently. Be honest with yourself about your schedule discipline.
How Commute Times Affect Home Prices
One of the most consistent patterns in South Jersey real estate is the relationship between commute time and home price. Every 10 minutes of additional commute time typically corresponds to a $30,000 to $50,000 difference in home prices. This is not a hard rule, but it is a useful framework for thinking about your trade-offs.
For example, a home in Collingswood (12-minute PATCO commute) will typically cost more than a comparable home in Medford (30-40 minute drive). The question is whether the shorter commute is worth the premium to you. For many buyers, it absolutely is. For others, the extra space and lower price in a farther-out town are worth the longer drive.
The key is to make an intentional choice, not a default one. Know what you are trading off, and make sure the trade-off works for your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the shortest commute from South Jersey to Philadelphia?
Collingswood has the shortest train commute at 12 minutes on PATCO. Palmyra and Riverton have the shortest drive times at 15 to 20 minutes via the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge.
What is the longest reasonable commute from South Jersey to Philadelphia?
Most commuters consider 40 to 45 minutes each way to be the upper limit for a daily commute. Towns like Medford, Lumberton, and Southampton are at the edge of this range. Beyond that, towns like Tabernacle and Shamong are better suited for remote workers or occasional commuters.
Can you commute from South Jersey to New York City?
Yes, but it is a long commute. From northern Burlington County towns like Bordentown and Florence, the train to NYC takes about 75 to 90 minutes. From central Burlington County, expect 90 to 110 minutes. This is doable for a few days a week but challenging for a daily commute.
Is the drive or train better from South Jersey to Philadelphia?
If you work in Center City and live near a PATCO station, the train is almost always better. It is faster, cheaper, and less stressful. If you work outside Center City or have irregular hours, driving may be more practical. Many commuters use a hybrid approach.
How does traffic affect South Jersey commute times?
Traffic can add 10 to 20 minutes to a drive commute during peak hours. The worst bottlenecks are the bridges (Ben Franklin, Walt Whitman, Tacony-Palmyra), the I-295/I-76 interchange, and Route 70 through Cherry Hill. Off-peak, the same drive can be 10-15 minutes shorter.
Which South Jersey town has the best balance of commute time and affordability?
Cherry Hill offers the best balance of commute time (17 minutes on PATCO), home prices ($350K to $800K), and quality of life (excellent schools, abundant amenities). Cinnaminson and Palmyra also offer strong value for their commute times.
Bob Millaway
Redfin Senior Agent and AI Certified Agent with over 20 years of experience helping families find the right South Jersey town for their commute. License: Salesperson · 791082 · NJ
About Bob