Getting Around from Freehold Township: Your Public Transit Guide
If you live or work near 3338 U.S. Route 9 in Freehold Township, New Jersey, you might be wondering how well-connected you are to the rest of the state — and to New York City. The honest answer: better than you might think, but with some important things to know before you leave the car at home.
Freehold Township sits in the heart of Monmouth County, roughly halfway between New York City and the Jersey Shore. It doesn’t have its own train station, but it’s served by a solid network of NJ Transit bus routes running right along Route 9, and regional train connections are accessible with a short drive or bus transfer. Here’s a complete breakdown of your options.
Nearby Bus Stops — Right on Your Doorstep
The good news for anyone at 3338 U.S. Route 9 is that several NJ Transit bus routes run directly along the Route 9 corridor, putting transit access within a very short walk.
The Freehold Raceway Mall Bus Stop
Distance: approximately 2-minute walk
The closest bus stop to your address is the US-9 at Freehold Raceway Mall Dr stop, located just steps away along Route 9. This is one of the most active bus stops in the Freehold area, serving multiple routes heading both north toward New York City and south toward the Shore region. Both northbound and southbound stops are here, making it convenient no matter which direction you’re traveling.
Route 139 — Your Direct Line to New York City
Lakewood – Old Bridge – New York via Route 9
Route 139 is the workhorse route for daily commuters, providing frequent service along the Route 9 corridor directly to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. This is your most important bus route if you commute to New York City. The bus stops right at the Freehold Raceway Mall stop on Route 9, picks up passengers heading north, and travels through Manalapan, Old Bridge, and other Monmouth County communities before crossing into Manhattan via the Lincoln Tunnel. The total trip from the Freehold area to Port Authority Bus Terminal takes approximately 84 minutes.
The 139 operates seven days a week, with more frequent service during weekday rush hours — ideal for the typical 9-to-5 commuter. Evening and weekend service is available but less frequent, so checking the NJ Transit schedule before you travel is recommended.
Route 67 — Shore Points and Beyond
Route 67 also serves the Route 9 corridor near your address and provides connections to communities along the Jersey Shore, including Toms River and points south. It’s a useful option if you’re heading toward the coast or need to reach towns south of Freehold that Route 139 doesn’t serve as directly.
Route 836 and Route 838 — Regional Connectors
Routes 836 and 838 round out the bus coverage in the immediate area. These routes serve different segments of Monmouth County, helping riders connect between communities within the region. While they won’t take you to New York City directly, they’re valuable for getting around the county and connecting to other routes or services.
The Freehold Center Bus Terminal
Distance: approximately 10–15 minutes by bus or a short drive
A few miles north of your address, the Freehold Center Bus Terminal serves as the main transit hub for the Freehold Borough area. It’s the originating or key stopping point for several routes, meaning buses tend to be more frequent and reliable from this hub. If you’re taking an early morning bus or want the most scheduling flexibility, heading to Freehold Center can give you more options than boarding mid-route on Route 9.
From Freehold Center, Route 139 offers departures heading both to Port Authority Bus Terminal and south toward Lakewood and Toms River.
Park and Ride — A Smart Commuter Option
Commuters in Freehold Township often utilize the various Park and Ride lots located along U.S. Route 9, which provide convenient parking for those catching the express buses into the city. The Freehold Mall Park/Ride lot is one of the most popular, located very close to your address. Rather than driving all the way into Manhattan and dealing with parking costs that can easily exceed $50 per day, many commuters drive a few minutes to this lot, park for free or at a low daily rate, and board the 139 express bus directly into Port Authority.
If you commute to New York City regularly, this Park and Ride setup is one of the most cost-effective options available in the area.
Nearest Train Station — Aberdeen-Matawan
Distance: approximately 20–25 miles north, about a 30-minute drive
Freehold Township does not have its own NJ Transit rail station, but the closest one is Aberdeen-Matawan Station, located on Atlantic Avenue on the border of Aberdeen and Matawan in northern Monmouth County.
Aberdeen-Matawan is a station on NJ Transit’s North Jersey Coast Line, convenient to Route 35 and the PNC Bank Arts Center, and is the busiest station on the line between Bay Head and Rahway. All trains on the North Jersey Coast Line stop here, and the station features two high-level platforms, a ticket office (open weekday mornings), and ample parking.
From Aberdeen-Matawan, the North Jersey Coast Line takes you directly into New York Penn Station, with typical travel times of around 60–75 minutes depending on the time of day and whether you catch a local or express service. Penn Station connects you to the NYC subway, LIRR, Amtrak, and NJ Transit’s other rail lines — making it a powerful regional hub once you’re there.
The ticket office is open Monday through Friday from 6:00 AM to 1:30 PM and is closed on weekends. Bus passes are also sold at the station, which is helpful if you want to coordinate your rail and bus travel.
Getting to Aberdeen-Matawan from Freehold Township is easiest by car. It is also technically reachable by bus — you can take the Route 838 bus toward Red Bank and transfer to the train — though that combined trip takes considerably longer than driving.
Metropark Station — Amtrak and Northeast Corridor Access
Distance: approximately 30 minutes north by car
If you need Amtrak service or access to the Northeast Corridor rail line (which runs express trains between Trenton and New York Penn Station and beyond), Metropark Station in Iselin is your best option. For Amtrak connections and express NJ Transit service on the Northeast Corridor line, the Metropark station in Iselin is roughly a 30-minute drive north.
Metropark is one of the busiest stations on the Northeast Corridor and offers significantly more frequent train service than Aberdeen-Matawan, including express trains that reach Penn Station in under 45 minutes. If you’re traveling to Philadelphia, Washington D.C., or Boston by Amtrak, Metropark is the logical departure point from Freehold Township.
Accessibility and Special Services
Monmouth County SCAT (Special Citizens Area Transportation) provides shuttle services for seniors and persons with disabilities, offering vital links to medical centers and shopping areas. If you or someone you know has mobility challenges, SCAT is worth looking into for local trips within Monmouth County that may be difficult to make on standard bus routes.
Aberdeen-Matawan station also features accessible platforms and facilities for riders with disabilities.
Practical Tips for Getting Around
Going to New York City? The Route 139 bus from the Route 9 stop near your address is the most convenient option for most trips, especially if you’re heading to Midtown Manhattan. It’s a direct ride to Port Authority, no transfers needed. Use the Park and Ride lot at Freehold Raceway Mall to avoid driving into the city.
Need a train? Drive or take a connecting bus to Aberdeen-Matawan for the North Jersey Coast Line to Penn Station. If timing and frequency matter, consider driving the extra few minutes to Metropark for Northeast Corridor service.
Staying local in Monmouth County? Routes 67, 836, and 838 can help you get around the county without a car. Freehold Center is your best hub for local connections.
Always check schedules in advance. NJ Transit service frequency varies significantly by time of day and day of the week. The NJ Transit app and website (njtransit.com) offer real-time arrivals, trip planning, and mobile ticketing — all essential tools for anyone relying on transit in this area.
The Bottom Line
Freehold Township isn’t a car-free paradise — it’s suburban New Jersey, and a car is still the most flexible way to get around locally. But for commuters headed to New York City, the Route 139 bus and the Park and Ride infrastructure make the daily commute genuinely manageable. And for regional rail connections, Aberdeen-Matawan and Metropark are both within reasonable reach.
If you’re new to the area or just exploring your options, the transit picture here is more robust than many people expect. With a little planning, you can leave the car behind more often than you might think.