Last Updated: March 20th, 2026
Driving to a New Jersey mall on a weekend means fighting traffic, circling for parking, and paying for the privilege. There’s a better way. NJ Transit runs direct bus service to most of the state’s biggest shopping destinations — often from Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. Here’s everything you need to know, mall by mall.
American Dream (East Rutherford) — Bus 355
American Dream is the easiest major NJ mall to reach by transit. NJ Transit runs the dedicated Route 355 express bus directly from Port Authority Bus Terminal (Gate 305) to the mall entrance — no transfers needed. The ride takes under 30 minutes in normal traffic.
Weekend schedule (most useful for shoppers): buses depart PABT hourly from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Return buses depart American Dream hourly from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
Weekday schedule: two departures from PABT — at 10:00 AM and 12:30 PM. Return trips leave American Dream at 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM.
Buy your ticket in advance via the NJ Transit app or at PABT ticket windows. For real-time departures, check njtransit.com/american-dream.
Jersey Gardens / The Mills at Jersey Gardens (Elizabeth) — Bus 111
Jersey Gardens, New Jersey’s largest outlet mall, is served by NJ Transit Route 111 running between Port Authority Bus Terminal and the Jersey Gardens main entrance (with a stop at IKEA Elizabeth). The trip takes around 44 minutes and the route runs every day.
The 111 is one of the most popular mall bus routes in the state — it fills up quickly on Saturdays. Arrive at PABT with a bit of buffer time and board at the correct gate (check the departure board or NJ Transit app). Pro tip: the Elizabeth UEZ zone means you pay only 3.3125% tax on most non-clothing items here — well worth the bus fare.
Garden State Plaza (Paramus) — Bus 163
NJ Transit Route 163 connects Port Authority Bus Terminal to Paramus and Garden State Plaza — the bus stops directly at the mall (Nordstrom & Route 4 side, West Parking Lot). Weekday service runs from approximately 6:58 AM to 11:35 PM. Saturday service runs 6:00 AM to 9:35 PM. The full trip from PABT takes roughly 45–75 minutes depending on traffic and time of day.
Additional routes serving Garden State Plaza from the NYC area include Routes 171, 175, 707, 709, and 758, covering various North Jersey corridors. Check njtransit.com/bus-to to find the best departure point closest to you.
The Mall at Short Hills (Millburn) — NJ Transit Train + Bus 70
Short Hills is the one major NJ mall best reached by train rather than bus. Take the NJ Transit Morris & Essex Line (Midtown Direct service) from Penn Station NYC to Millburn station — the trip is as fast as 35 minutes. From Millburn station, Bus 70 connects to the Short Hills Mall stop with a short walk to the mall entrance.
Bus 70 runs from early morning (first departure around 5:45 AM) through late evening (last stop near 11:39 PM). The alternative is a roughly 20-minute walk from Millburn station through a quiet residential area — manageable in good weather. Trains on the Morris & Essex Line run frequently during peak hours.
Cherry Hill Mall (Cherry Hill) — Routes 450 and 405
Cherry Hill Mall is best accessed from the Philadelphia/Camden side rather than from NYC. NJ Transit Route 450 runs from the PATCO Walter Rand Transportation Center (WRTC) in Camden through to the mall. Route 405 (Camden – Merchantville – Cherry Hill Mall) takes about 25 minutes from the WRTC and runs every day. Route 404 also serves the corridor.
From Philadelphia, take the PATCO Speedline across the Delaware River to Walter Rand Transportation Center, then connect to the 405 or 450. It’s a convenient journey for South Jersey and Philly-area shoppers — no parking required on either side.
Monmouth Mall (Eatontown) — Routes 831 and 832
NJ Transit Routes 831 and 832 serve Monmouth Mall in Eatontown. Route 831 runs from Long Branch Rail Station to Monmouth Mall (22 stops, about 25 minutes). The first departure to the mall is around 6:23 AM and the last bus in the evening runs at approximately 10:40 PM via Route 832.
To reach Long Branch from NYC, take the NJ Transit North Jersey Coast Line train from Penn Station — the trip is around 75–80 minutes. From there, connect to the 831 bus toward Monmouth Mall.
Practical Tips for Taking the Bus to NJ Malls
- Use the NJ Transit app (free) for real-time arrivals, ticket purchase, and trip planning. It’s the fastest way to check live schedules on the day.
- Buy your return ticket before you start shopping — you won’t want to queue at the ticket machine at the end of a long shopping day. The app makes this easy.
- Weekend buses fill up fast, especially on Route 111 to Jersey Gardens and Route 355 to American Dream. Arrive at your departure point 10–15 minutes early.
- Check service advisories before you travel — NJ Transit routes occasionally run on modified schedules around major events, holidays, or track work. The NJ Transit website posts alerts at njtransit.com.
- Clothing is always tax-free in NJ — so the bus fare often pays for itself versus shopping in NYC. See our NJ Tax-Free Shopping Guide for the full breakdown.
