Living In Millburn/Short Hills As A NYC Commuter

What if your morning could be a five-minute walk, a 35-minute train, and a short stroll to your Midtown office? If you work in the city and want more space, Millburn and Short Hills make the commute feel manageable without losing your New York rhythm. In this guide, you will get clear, practical details on trains, parking, fares, backup plans, and everyday routines. Let’s dive in.

Why commuters choose Millburn/Short Hills

You get a direct NJ TRANSIT line to New York Penn Station from both Millburn and Short Hills on the Morris and Essex corridor. Typical peak trips run about 30 to 45 minutes on Midtown Direct trains, with faster express options during rush hour. The stations sit close to town conveniences, which makes a walk-up commute simple if you live near downtown Millburn.

If your office is downtown, Hoboken connections plus PATH or ferries are realistic options. You can also choose private coach service on busy days when you want a reserved seat and a Midtown drop-off. The goal here is flexibility so your door-to-door feels predictable.

Train basics: Midtown Direct

Millburn and Short Hills are on the Morris and Essex corridor serving Newark Broad Street, Secaucus Junction, Hoboken, and New York Penn Station via Midtown Direct. For many NYC commuters, Midtown Direct to Penn is the default. Station pages outline facilities like ticket vending machines, weekday-morning ticket office windows, standard platforms, and bike racks. Check details for each location on the Millburn Station page and the Short Hills Station page.

Peak trains can be as fast as the mid-30-minute range to Penn. Local trains or transfers can add time. Weekday peaks offer multiple trains per hour, though exact headways vary. For live departures, use NJ TRANSIT’s app or DepartureVision on day of travel.

Door-to-door examples

Times below are estimates to help you plan a routine. Always check schedules before you go. The township’s visitor page also summarizes local travel patterns and walkable access near the stations. See the overview on Explore Millburn-Short Hills.

Example A: Walk-up from downtown Millburn to Midtown

• Walk to Millburn station: 5 to 12 minutes.
• Arrive and wait: 5 to 10 minutes for ticketing and boarding.
• Train to Penn Station: about 30 to 35 minutes on a typical peak express, with a wider 25 to 40 range depending on the train.
• Exit Penn and walk to your office: 5 to 15 minutes.

Typical door-to-door: roughly 45 to 65 minutes. If you live right by the station and catch an express, it can tighten closer to 40 to 50 minutes.

Example B: Short Hills drive-and-park to Midtown

• Drive to your permitted lot: 5 to 12 minutes.
• Park and walk to the platform: 3 to 8 minutes depending on lot.
• Train to Penn Station: about 30 to 40 minutes.

Door-to-door: commonly 50 to 75 minutes, depending on which lot you use and how quickly you find a space.

Example C: Downtown Manhattan jobs (WTC/FiDi)

For downtown destinations, you can take a train to Hoboken and connect to PATH or a ferry. The train leg is often in the mid-30s, PATH adds about 5 to 15 minutes, and ferries vary. For some workplaces below Midtown, this routing can be as fast or faster than going to Penn.

Example D: Private coach to Midtown

Reserved-seat coach services pick up in Millburn and Short Hills and drop off across Midtown. The draw is a guaranteed seat and a curbside arrival. Door-to-door is commonly 40 to 70 minutes depending on traffic. Check current routes and pricing with Boxcar.

Fares and passes

NJ TRANSIT uses zone-based fares, and Millburn/Short Hills share the same fare zone into Penn Station. As of 2026, the New York Penn Station fare chart shows an adult one-way from Zone 7 at about 10 dollars and a full monthly pass near 300 dollars. Always confirm the latest numbers on the official fare tables before you buy. Review the current fare chart here: NJ TRANSIT New York Penn Station Fares (PDF).

Tip: Many employers offer pre-tax commuter benefits. Monthly passes can be used with bus, PATH, or ferry during cross-honoring periods when posted by NJ TRANSIT.

Parking and permits

Parking policy shapes your morning routine, so know the rules. The station pages list municipal lots, space counts, and permit details, with a strong priority for township residents.

• Millburn Station lists several municipal lots. Example figures posted on the station page include Lot 1 with around 325 spaces, Lot 3 with around 114, Lot 4 with around 97, and Lot 5 with around 40. Pricing examples show resident permits listed near 560 dollars per year or 425 dollars for six months in certain lots, plus some resident daily options near 5 dollars per day. Many lots are resident-permit only.
• Short Hills Station has similar resident-priority lots and a permit-first approach.

Check rules, maps, and costs here: Millburn Station page and Short Hills Station page. If you are not a resident, options are more limited. Some commuters use alternative Millburn lots or adjust their routine to earlier trains.

Alternatives and smart plan Bs

• Private coach service: Reserved-seat coaches offer Midtown drop-offs and can be cost-competitive when you factor comfort and last-mile savings. Check schedules and pricing with Boxcar.
• Local buses and shuttles: NJ TRANSIT’s Route 70 and other local buses serve the township, which helps for first or last mile trips. See the township travel overview on Explore Millburn-Short Hills.
• Hoboken connections for downtown: Taking a Millburn or Short Hills train to Hoboken and transferring to PATH or a ferry is a practical option for Lower Manhattan.
• Service changes to watch: The Portal North Bridge cutover ran from mid-February to mid-March 2026 and temporarily diverted some Midtown Direct trains to Hoboken with cross-honoring on PATH, ferries, and some buses. Read the overview in NJBIZ’s cutover coverage and check rider updates on RerouteNJ. Always verify day-of service alerts with NJ TRANSIT.

Life between trains

Your weekday mornings center on the stations from about 6 to 9 a.m., then evenings pick up between 4:30 and 7 p.m. Downtown Millburn has coffee, delis, and quick bites clustered near the station, which makes pre-train stops easy. For a feel of the walkable blocks and station access, browse Explore Millburn-Short Hills.

After hours, many locals head to the Paper Mill Playhouse. It is a short walk from Millburn Station and anchors a lot of weeknight and weekend plans. On weekends, the Mall at Short Hills is a popular stop for shopping and dining, while South Mountain Reservation offers an easy outdoor reset. For trails and nearby options, see South Mountain Reservation.

Smart commuter tips

• Build a 5 to 10 minute buffer for buying a ticket, climbing stairs, and finding your boarding spot.
• Learn the express trains that match your schedule and pin them in the NJ TRANSIT app.
• Keep a Plan B. If Midtown Direct is delayed, consider a Hoboken train and PATH or a reserved coach.
• If you park, set reminders for permit renewals and know overflow options before you need them.
• For downtown offices, test both Penn Station and Hoboken routings to see which is fastest for your exact address.

Ready to explore homes that fit your commute?

When you are balancing a city job with a suburban lifestyle, the right location and routine make all the difference. If you want a local guide who understands both the market and the day-to-day commuter details, connect with Suzy Minken for a thoughtful, no-pressure conversation.

FAQs

Is there a direct train from Millburn or Short Hills to New York Penn Station?

• Yes. Both stations are on NJ TRANSIT’s Morris and Essex corridor, and Midtown Direct trains serve New York Penn Station. Check live schedules on the Millburn Station page or Short Hills Station page.

How long is the typical commute from Millburn or Short Hills to Midtown?

• Plan for about 45 to 65 minutes door to door, including your walk or park time plus a 30 to 45 minute train ride. See a township overview on Explore Millburn-Short Hills.

What if I work in Lower Manhattan near the World Trade Center?

• Consider a train to Hoboken and transfer to PATH or a ferry. During service changes, Midtown Direct may also be rerouted to Hoboken. For cutover planning context, see RerouteNJ.

How much do NJ TRANSIT tickets cost from Millburn or Short Hills?

• As of 2026, a one-way adult fare from Zone 7 to New York is about 10 dollars and a monthly pass is near 300 dollars. Always confirm current pricing on the NJ TRANSIT fare chart.

What should I know about station parking and permits?

• Most lots prioritize township residents and require permits, with limited daily options. Space counts, lot maps, and pricing examples are on the Millburn Station page and Short Hills Station page.