Commuter guide
Rockland towns for NYC commuters, by where you work
Rockland has no direct train to Manhattan, but there are several reliable ways in. Which town makes sense depends mostly on where your office is.
Times below come from published schedules checked on Nov 2, 2026. Traffic and schedule changes affect real trips, so test the commute before you buy.
If you work near Penn Station or Hudson Yards
On the Pascack Valley Line, weekday morning trains from Pearl River reach Secaucus Junction in roughly 30 to 55 minutes depending on the train, where riders change for New York Penn Station. Other trains continue to Hoboken for PATH or ferries. A temporary timetable is in effect Oct 11 to Nov 14, 2026.
Towns to look at: Pearl River and Nanuet, which have stations on the line, plus nearby parts of Orangetown and Clarkstown within a short drive of those stations.
If you work near Grand Central
Hudson Link H07/H07X buses run from the Palisades Center and Nyack across the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge to the Tarrytown Metro-North station. In the current timetable, Downtown Nyack to Tarrytown station is scheduled at about 15 to 20 minutes, and the Palisades Center (Lot J) to Tarrytown station at about 25 to 35 minutes.
From Tarrytown, Hudson Line trains to Grand Central are scheduled at about 40 to 62 minutes, depending on how many stops the train makes.
Towns to look at: Nyack and the areas around the Palisades Center in West Nyack, which have the most direct Hudson Link access.
If you work near Port Authority or the George Washington Bridge
Coach USA's Rockland Coaches routes run commuter buses from Rockland to the Port Authority Bus Terminal and the George Washington Bridge Bus Station. Ride times depend heavily on traffic, so check the current timetable for your stop.
Coach USA lists routes serving New City and the Route 304 Park and Ride, Nyack and the 9W corridor, and Orangeburg and Tappan, among others.
In northern Rockland, Coach USA lists the Stony Point park and ride on Route 9W just north of Washburn Lane, and some Grand Central commuters take the NY Waterway ferry from Haverstraw to the Ossining Metro-North station.
If you work in Westchester or New Jersey
- White Plains: Hudson Link H05 runs from the Palisades Center and Nyack to downtown White Plains.
- Bergen County: the Pascack Valley Line continues through Bergen County towns, and the Garden State Parkway starts near Pearl River.
- Driving: the Thruway (I-87/I-287) and the Palisades Interstate Parkway connect most Rockland towns.
Brendan's take
- Before you make an offer, try the commute once at rush hour from the actual street you're considering.
- Station parking rules and permit waitlists differ by town, so I suggest checking them early.
Common questions
Can you take a train from Rockland to Manhattan?
Yes, with a transfer. The Pascack Valley Line runs from Spring Valley, Nanuet and Pearl River to Secaucus Junction, where you change for Penn Station, or to Hoboken for PATH.
How do Rockland commuters get to Grand Central?
Many take Hudson Link buses across the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge to the Tarrytown Metro-North station, then the Hudson Line to Grand Central.
Are there buses from Rockland to Port Authority?
Yes. Coach USA's Rockland Coaches runs commuter routes from many Rockland towns to the Port Authority Bus Terminal and the George Washington Bridge Bus Station.
Sources
- MTA Metro-North, Pascack Valley Line schedule (temporary timetable Oct 11 to Nov 14, 2026) (checked Nov 2, 2026)
- Hudson Link schedules (H05, H07/H07X timetables effective Oct 5, 2025) (checked Nov 2, 2026)
- MTA Metro-North, Hudson Line schedule (effective Oct 4, 2026) (checked Nov 2, 2026)
- Tarrytown to Grand Central travel times (Metro-North GTFS, updated Sep 21, 2026) (checked Nov 2, 2026)
- Coach USA, Rockland Coaches commuter routes (checked Nov 2, 2026)
- Coach USA, Rockland Coaches commuter and park and ride locations (checked Nov 2, 2026)
- NY Waterway, Haverstraw to Ossining ferry route and weekday schedule (checked Nov 2, 2026)
Schedules, tax rates and programs change. Confirm details with the source before relying on them.
Want help matching a town to your commute?
Tell me where you work and how you'd like to get there, and I'll suggest a few places to start.