The trip from Newark Airport to Times Square is short, so most travelers don't need a rest stop on the road. The useful stops are the ones built into your route: the airport itself, the rail stations on the way, and the bus terminal at the Manhattan end. If you're driving, it helps to know where the New Jersey Turnpike's service areas actually are, because the closest ones aren't on the northbound route.
Key Takeaways
- Take your break at the airport before you leave. EWR has food, lounges and relaxation areas in its terminals.
- By train, your stops are the Newark Airport Rail Station and New York Penn Station. By bus, the Newark Airport Express stops at Port Authority, Bryant Park and Grand Central.
- Driving north on the Turnpike from the airport to the Lincoln Tunnel, you won't pass a service area. Alexander Hamilton serves southbound traffic only, and Vince Lombardi is north of the Lincoln Tunnel exit.
Navigating from Newark Airport to Times Square: Overview
You have four main ways to make the trip:
- NJ Transit train. Take the AirTrain to Newark Airport Rail Station, then NJ Transit to New York Penn Station. NJ Transit puts the ride at about 30 minutes, for $17.25 for an adult ticket with the AirTrain fee included.
- Newark Airport Express bus. Coach USA's timetable lists stops at W 42nd St & Port Authority, Bryant Park and Grand Central, all within reach of Times Square.
- Car, taxi or ride-share. Door to door, but it depends on traffic at the Lincoln Tunnel and in Midtown.
- Helicopter. BLADE offers flights between Newark Airport and Manhattan in about 5 minutes, from $195 per seat, arriving at a BLADE lounge in Manhattan.
Newark Penn Station as a Rest Stop
Newark Penn Station is a transit hub on the cheapest route into the city. NJ Transit bus 62 runs from the airport to Newark Penn, and from there PATH trains run into Manhattan. The MTA prices that bus-and-PATH combination at $4.90. Newark Penn is served by NJ Transit trains, buses and light rail as well as PATH. It works as a place to regroup if you're on that route.
Convenience at Port Authority Bus Terminal
If you take the Newark Airport Express, the W 42nd St & Port Authority stop puts you in Midtown, close to Times Square. Check the bus timetable for the current stop locations before you travel.
Optimal Rest Stops Along the Route
Newark Liberty International Airport
The best rest stop is the one you start from. EWR's terminals list food, shops, lounges, spas and relaxation areas, and a business center described as quiet space for working. If you have time before you head into the city, eat and regroup there.
Rest Areas on the New Jersey Turnpike
The New Jersey Turnpike Authority runs 21 service areas on the Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway. Twelve are on the Turnpike: Vince Lombardi, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Edison, Grover Cleveland, Joyce Kilmer, Molly Pitcher, Richard Stockton, Woodrow Wilson, James Fenimore Cooper, Walt Whitman, Clara Barton and John Fenwick. They offer food, fuel, restrooms and other services, and some have EV charging.
For the airport-to-Times Square drive, three locations matter:
| Service area | Location | Direction | Useful for this trip? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Edison | Woodbridge, milepost 92.9 | Southbound | No, it is south of the airport |
| Alexander Hamilton | Secaucus, milepost 111.6, eastern spur | Southbound only | On the return trip to the airport |
| Vince Lombardi | Ridgefield, milepost 116.0 | Both directions | Only if you drive past the Lincoln Tunnel exit |
The Newark Airport exit (13A) is at milepost 101.6, and the Lincoln Tunnel exit (16E) is at milepost 112.3. Northbound between those two exits, there is no service area. If you need a break on the way into the city, take it at the airport.
Alternate Rest Stop: Secaucus Junction
Secaucus Junction is the NJ Transit station where most North Jersey rail lines connect with the Northeast Corridor. If you're heading to Times Square, you don't need to change there: Northeast Corridor trains from the airport run straight to New York Penn Station.
Public Transportation Options with Rest Points
NJ Transit Train and Rest Facilities
The rail route has two natural pauses. At Newark Airport Rail Station, you switch from the AirTrain to the train. At New York Penn Station, you arrive in Midtown. Keep your NJ Transit ticket, which covers the AirTrain fee, until you're through the AirTrain gates.
The AirTrain is being replaced. The Port Authority says the current system stays in service during construction, with occasional outages, and shuttle buses run when it is down. Allow a few extra minutes.
Shuttle Bus Services and Rest Opportunities
The Newark Airport Express runs from the terminals to Midtown with stops at W 42nd St & Port Authority, Bryant Park and Grand Central. Your rest stop is your arrival point. Get off at the stop closest to your hotel.
Driving to Times Square: Rest Stops for Road Trippers
- Plan your break before you leave EWR. No Turnpike service area sits on the northbound route to the Lincoln Tunnel.
- Expect the congestion toll. Times Square is inside Manhattan's Congestion Relief Zone, at or below 60th Street. Passenger vehicles with E-ZPass pay $9 during the peak period and $2.25 overnight.
- Use the Hamilton area on the way back. Southbound, the Alexander Hamilton Service Area is in Secaucus, on the Turnpike's eastern spur, before you reach the airport.
Traffic Advisories and Rest Planning
Check traffic before you leave the airport. The New Jersey Turnpike Authority publishes traffic alerts and traffic cameras, and it offers a hands-free SafeTripNJ app. A backup at the Lincoln Tunnel can add more time than any rest stop.
Planning Your Trip: Distance and Travel Time Considerations
This is a short trip. By train, NJ Transit puts it at about 30 minutes from the airport to New York Penn Station, plus the AirTrain and a short local connection to Times Square. By road, the time depends on traffic. For most travelers, a coffee at the airport and a stop at their hotel are all the rest they need.
Bottom Line: Recommended Rest Stops from EWR to Times Square
Rest at the airport, not on the road. EWR's terminals have the food and seating, and the northbound drive to the Lincoln Tunnel passes no Turnpike service areas. By train or bus, your stops are the stations themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions about Rest Stops from EWR to Times Square in NYC
What is the easiest way to get from Newark Airport to Times Square?
Take the AirTrain to Newark Airport Rail Station, then NJ Transit to New York Penn Station, about 30 minutes for $17.25. From Penn Station, Times Square is a short local connection.
What is the cheapest way to get from Newark Airport to Manhattan?
One of the cheapest ways is NJ Transit bus 62 to Newark Penn Station, then the PATH train, a combination the MTA prices at $4.90.
Are there rest stops on the New Jersey Turnpike between Newark Airport and the Lincoln Tunnel?
Not northbound. The Alexander Hamilton Service Area serves southbound traffic only, and the Vince Lombardi Service Area is north of the Lincoln Tunnel exit.
How do I find rest stops on Google Maps?
Search "rest area" or "service area" along your route, or check the New Jersey Turnpike Authority's service areas page, which lists each area's amenities.
What are some recommended rest stops along the route from Newark Airport to Times Square?
Newark Liberty International Airport itself, Newark Penn Station on the bus-and-PATH route, and Port Authority at the Manhattan end of the Newark Airport Express. Drivers returning to the airport can use the Alexander Hamilton Service Area southbound.