Bus from Port Authority to Jersey Gardens Mall | Route 111

NJ Transit Route 111 is the direct bus from Midtown Manhattan to Jersey Gardens Mall in Elizabeth.

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For a shopping run from Manhattan, the bus from Port Authority to Jersey Gardens Mall is NJ Transit Route 111, with selected Route 115 trips also stopping at the mall. Route 111 is the cleaner pick because it is built around Jersey Gardens and IKEA; Route 115 is the backup when its sign says it serves Jersey Gardens.

The ride usually lands around 45 to 55 minutes on Route 111 in normal traffic, but the Lincoln Tunnel can stretch that during rush hour. Buy the ticket before boarding at Port Authority Bus Terminal, look for the gate shown for your route, and get off at Jersey Gardens – Main Entrance.

How Do You Take The Bus?

NJ Transit Route 111 leaves from Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan and drops riders at Jersey Gardens – Main Entrance in Elizabeth, New Jersey. The route is direct, so you do not need a train, subway transfer, or shuttle for the normal mall trip.

Use this simple sequence:

1. Go to Port Authority Bus Terminal at 42nd Street and Eighth Avenue.
2. Buy a NJ Transit bus ticket before you board; buses leaving Port Authority do not take onboard cash.
3. Select Route 111 toward Jersey Gardens, Jersey Gardens and IKEA, or Elizabeth.
4. Check the gate board before boarding, since Port Authority gate assignments can shift.
5. Ride to the stop named Jersey Gardens – Main Entrance.

Route 111 commonly uses Gate 223 during daytime service, with late service gates shown separately on NJ Transit materials. Treat the posted Port Authority board as the final source on the day you ride, because construction, crowding, and terminal operations can move departures.

The fastest way to compare same-day bus, train, and transfer options is here:

Port Authority To Jersey Gardens Bus Options Compared

Route 111 is the main choice for most shoppers because it is the direct Port Authority-to-mall bus. Route 115 works as a useful backup only when the trip is marked as running via Jersey Gardens.

NJ Transit schedules show Route 111 running from Port Authority to Jersey Gardens mainly from morning through afternoon, with Route 115 filling in some earlier, later, and less frequent slots. A taxi or rideshare can be faster off-peak, but it usually costs several times the bus fare once tolls, demand pricing, and tip are included.

What Bus Number Goes To Jersey Gardens Mall?

NJ Transit Route 111 is the bus number to choose first for Jersey Gardens Mall from New York. NJ Transit Route 115 is the second bus to know, but the destination sign must say it runs via Jersey Gardens.

Route 111 is usually signed for New York – IKEA – Jersey Gardens or a close wording. Some trips continue to IKEA Elizabeth after the mall, so do not stay onboard too long unless IKEA is your destination.

Route 115 is signed for Rahway or Avenel on outbound trips from New York. The useful detail is the phrase via Jersey Gardens. A Route 115 trip that skips Jersey Gardens can leave you needing another local connection, so check the route sign before boarding and ask the driver if the posted destination is unclear.

NJ Transit publishes the current Route 111 stop pattern, fares, and departure notes in the official Route 111 timetable. Use the PDF for the route pattern, then use the NJ Transit app or the Port Authority board for live departure status.

Tickets, Fare Zones, And Payment

Port Authority departures require a ticket or pass before boarding, so buy through the NJ Transit app, a ticket machine, or an open ticket window. The adult one-way fare is usually around $8–9 because this is an interstate bus trip between New York and northern New Jersey.

NJ Transit prices bus trips by zones, and the number of zones must match the distance you ride. The current Northern Interstate fare chart lists a five-zone adult one-way fare at $8.45, while older printed route PDFs can show slightly lower numbers from before the latest fare change.

Practical fare tip: In the NJ Transit app, buy by origin and destination when it appears. If the app makes you choose route and zones, use Route 111 and confirm the zone count against the current NJ Transit trip planner.

Children, seniors, and riders with disabilities may qualify for lower fares. Bring a card or use the app if possible; Port Authority boarding is smoother when the ticket is ready before the bus pulls in.

Schedule Timing And The Mall Stop

Route 111 is strongest for a daytime shopping trip, not a late-night return from New Jersey. Weekday Route 111 service from Port Authority starts around 8:15 a.m. and the last outbound mall trip is usually late afternoon, while Route 115 may cover some earlier or later trips.

The mall stop is Jersey Gardens – Main Entrance. The stop sits by the main entrance area, so the walk into the mall is short and straightforward once you step off.

• Morning shoppers: Route 111 is the cleanest choice once its day service begins.
• Early departures: Check Route 115 trips marked via Jersey Gardens.
• Evening returns: Check both Route 111 and Route 115, because the better bus can change by hour.
• Holiday weeks: Confirm same-day service, since NJ Transit can use holiday schedules around major US holidays.

Traffic is the main variable. The bus crosses the Hudson River by tunnel, so a trip that looks easy at noon can feel slow during commuter peaks or bad weather.

Where To Stay Near Jersey Gardens

Elizabeth is the closest city for staying near Jersey Gardens, especially if the mall trip is tied to Newark Liberty International Airport or an early New Jersey departure. Newark can also make sense if you want better rail access into Manhattan.

Most travelers do Jersey Gardens as a day trip from New York, but staying nearby can work when shopping is part of a flight layover, a road trip, or a Newark airport night. Compare Elizabeth hotel locations carefully: a hotel beside the mall or airport is useful for shopping, while a hotel near Newark Penn Station is better for rail access.

For hotels around Elizabeth and the mall area, compare the map before choosing a room:

Which Bus Should You Take Back?

The return bus from Jersey Gardens to Port Authority is usually Route 111, with Route 115 as the backup when it is signed for New York via Jersey Gardens. Check the stop sign and the live schedule before leaving the mall, because return spacing can widen later in the day.

Use the stop named Jersey Gardens – Main Entrance for the trip back to New York. Board the New York-bound bus and keep your ticket handy until the driver has checked it.

A smart return plan is to look up the next two buses before you start the last store run. Missing one bus may mean a short wait at midday, but it can mean a longer wait at the edges of service.

The Smartest Plan For A Shopping Day

The easiest plan is to take Route 111 out, return on Route 111 if the timing works, and use Route 115 only as the backup that says via Jersey Gardens. That keeps the trip simple and avoids unnecessary train or local-bus transfers.

For a low-stress day, aim to leave Port Authority after the first strong morning wave and avoid returning at the heaviest evening tunnel rush. A clean plan looks like this:

• Outbound: Take Route 111 from Port Authority Bus Terminal to Jersey Gardens – Main Entrance.
• Fare: Budget about $8–9 each way for a regular adult ticket, then confirm in the NJ Transit app before buying.
• Return: Check both Route 111 and Route 115 from Jersey Gardens – Main Entrance to New York.
• Backup: Use rideshare only when your shopping bags, flight time, or late return makes the bus inconvenient.

Route 111 wins for most travelers because it is direct, cheap compared with a car, and drops you at the mall entrance. Route 115 is worth knowing, but only after you confirm the sign says Jersey Gardens.