A majority of my hospitality work requires traveling from Scranton, Pennsylvania, to New York City. Over the years, I've experimented with just about every option available. Bus trips were a regular part of my childhood, and for a long time they seemed like the most practical solution. The thought of driving into New York was always accompanied by anxiety, traffic, and the inevitable expense of parking.
While the bus is certainly convenient, that convenience comes with tradeoffs. Schedules are fixed, fares fluctuate, and there is very little flexibility if your plans change. After a while, I began looking for alternatives.
One option I explored was driving to Hoboken and taking the ferry into Manhattan. On paper, it sounded ideal. In reality, it involved hefty overnight parking fees, traffic, gas expenses, and ferry tickets. More often than not, the total cost ended up being similar to, if not more expensive than, taking the bus directly from Scranton.
Eventually, I started researching train stations in northern New Jersey and discovered what has become my preferred method of travel: driving to Dover or Denville and taking NJ Transit into New York Penn Station.
From Scranton, both stations are roughly an hour and a half away and are connected almost entirely by straightforward highway driving. No city traffic. No need to babysit the GPS. Just a simple drive followed by a direct train ride into Manhattan.
The biggest advantage is cost. Parking at both stations is approximately $4 per day, and a one-way NJ Transit ticket to New York Penn Station is ~$18. Even after accounting for gas, the total cost is often significantly less than other travel options. When planning your route, be sure to select the direct route and not one with transfers.
As of June 2026, the drive from Scranton to the Dover area and back is approximately 160 miles round trip. For a vehicle averaging around 35 miles per gallon, fuel costs are roughly $18 round trip based on current national averages.
Of the two stations, Dover is my preference for day trips. However, there is one important detail I learned the hard way: Dover does not permit overnight parking. If you plan on staying in New York overnight, Denville is the better choice. Regardless of the station you choose, trains arrive about once an hour, which allows for flexible trains.
The stations themselves are surprisingly easy to navigate. Arriving early for your first trip removes most of the stress. Both stations have numbered parking spaces, payment kiosks, and mobile payment options through posted QR codes. The most important thing to remember is your parking space number before heading to the platform.
For first-time riders, boarding can feel intimidating, but it is much simpler than it appears. At Dover, board the train displaying New York as its destination. At Denville, you'll board the same line heading toward New York City. When in doubt, ask a NJ Transit employee.
Once aboard, activate your mobile ticket if purchased through the NJ Transit app and enjoy the ride. About ninety minutes later, you'll arrive at New York Penn Station in the heart of Manhattan.
The return trip is equally straightforward. Before heading back, make sure you have a return ticket from New York Penn Station to Dover or Denville. When arriving at Penn Station, I recommend entering at the 31st and 7th entrance. Once inside Penn Station, follow signs for NJ Transit and watch the departure boards. Even if you're returning to Denville, you'll be looking for the train bound for Dover, as it serves both stations.
After a few trips, the process becomes second nature. What once felt intimidating has become one of the easiest and most affordable ways to access New York City. Later this week I will be posting visual directions on my TikTok and Instagram Reels, @SeeYouonHighStreet.
Now, I know this article may feel a bit like the recipe blog preamble everyone scrolls past. For those looking for the quick version, here's a quick recap from above.
Quick Reference Guide
- Drive from Scranton to Dover or Denville, NJ (approximately 1.5 hours)
- NJ Transit ride to New York Penn Station (approximately 1.5 hours)
- Parking at both stations is approximately $4 per day
- Dover does not allow overnight parking
- Denville is recommended for overnight trips
- Train tickets are ~$18 each way
- Select the direct route and not one with transfers.
- Purchase tickets through the NJ Transit app or station kiosks
- Activate mobile tickets before presenting them to conductors
- Arrive 30–45 minutes early for your first trip
- Remember your parking space number before leaving your car
- Follow signs for NJ Transit at New York Penn Station when returning
- Look for the Dover-bound train when returning to either Dover or Denville
- Expect a toll at the Delaware Water Gap when driving home
- Estimated total transportation cost: often under $50 round trip