By Aaron Joseph. As we’ve mentioned in a previous article, getting around Lakewood traffic can be challenging at times, and Lakewood traffic, like all traffic, is all time relative. Your time, but as well, the time of day you are driving. The Chanukah vacation Lakewood exodus, especially on Erev Shabbos Chanukah, has proven in past years to be the ‘gold star congested traffic’ award time period of the entire year, and very frustrating for all. The focus of this article is to help one and all avoid two widely known and difficult Lakewood traffic areas, and provide convenient, and easy alternate routes.

The first is: at Route 9 at County Line (and in fact the entire East County Line) and Route 9 at Kennedy Boulevard,

The second: and most infamous- Squankum Road North. (Especially on Erev Shabbos.)

There are multiple ways to avoid these two severe congestion areas when leaving Lakewood:

The Garden State Parkway has not one, but three entry ramps aside for the entry at exit 98 via the 195, all relative to downtown Lakewood, and all very easily accessible. Using 2 of the 3 following routes to reach the Garden State Parkway would help one and all avoid traveling Squankum Road and East County Line Road altogether. It may even help many avoid Route 9.

LOCAL LAKEWOOD GARDEN STATE PARKEWAY ENTRYWAYS:
To G.S.P (Garden State Parkway) From Route 70 East just past Airport Road (Which is a bit past New Hampshire Avenue leaving Lakewood). This places you on the parkway at exit 88. This is a 7 Minute drive from exit 98.

To G.S.P From Cedar Bridge Avenue just past Airport Road (Just past the airport itself): This places you on the parkway at exit 89. This is a 6 Minute drive from exit 98. – – – This is an easy and recommended route. Cedar Bridge Avenue can easily be accessed from many roads, such as: New Hampshire Ave, Rt 88 (via New Hampshire), Central Avenue, Pine Street (via New Hampshire) (James St.via Pine), Oak Street (via New Hampshire), and Chestnut Street (via New Hampshire), Cross St (via Chestnut) although for those closer to Route 70, the entry ramp on route 70 may be quicker for you.

To G.S.P. From East County Line Road which becomes Lanes Mills Road past Ridge Avenue.

Route 88 – Left Turn at the Ocean Lanes Bowling Alley, County Route 549, Then onwards towards Lanes Mills Road as per below towards Burnt Tavern Road.

Please Note: East County Line Road is not a recommended route for high traffic periods, as East County Line can be extremely congested.

At the traffic light at the corner of Lanes Mills Road and County Route 549 turn left. At the second traffic light on County Route 549 bear right onto Burnt Tavern Road. At the second traffic light on Burnt Tavern Road bear right- follow jug handle around for entry onto the Garden State Parkway. This places you on the parkway at exit 91. This is a 4 minute drive from exit 98.

GARDEN STATE PARKWAY SOUTH BOUND: RETURNING TO LAKEWOOD
Welcome back! Please note that not all entry ramps mentioned above correspond the exits available:

Exit 98 = 195 route. (Squankum or Lakewood Farmingdale Road is exit 31 on the 195)

Exit 91 = Burnt Tavern Road – To County 549 to Lanes Mills Road, East County Line and potentially Route 88.

Exit 89 = Airport Road – Make Right onto Airport road towards Cedar Bridge Avenue. Then Left at traffic light towards Lakewood.
Exit 88 = Route 70

BACK ROAD ENTRY FURTHER DOWN SQUANKUM:
Brook Road North (away from Lakewood) to the corner of Oak Glenn Road (First Intersection – Use Caution) Make a left. Oak Glenn Road will join up with Squankum Road, also known as Lakewood Farmingdale Road, or County Route 547 about 2 miles down Squankum Road, outside of Lakewood.

WEST COUNTY ALTERNATE TO RT 9 NORTH
On West County Line turn onto Kent road (which is the Northern continuation of Pine Park Avenue). At Lanes Mills Road (alongside Walmart) make a right. Caution. There can be a two-three minute wait at the light for Route 9.

Ford Road is a right turn off of Kent about 45 seconds down Kent Road, just outside of Lakewood. Ford road continues until Route 9. There is no light at the corner of Ford Road and Route 9, so one must wait until traffic is clear to make a felt hand turn onto Rout 9 North.

Brewers Bridge Road off of West County Line Road in Jackson. Make a left onto Friendship Road which continues onwards to Route 9. This intersection is approximately 1 mile before Route 9 and the 195 intersection – for those who would like to take the 195 to the Garden State Parkway.

Aldrich Road (north) in Jackson off of West County Line Road drives straight to Route 9. This Route 9 intersection is just before the 195 onramp at Route 9 North.

FOR THE DESPERATE IN UPPER WESTERN LAKEWOOD:
The New Jersey Turnpike can be accessed by taking the 195 WEST! to exit 6. Make sure which direction you are taking it! This places you on the Turnpike at Exit 7A. The Garden State Parkway intersects with the NJ Turnpike at Turnpike Exit 11, (G.S.P. Exit 129). The Gothals Bridge Exit (To the Staten Island Expressway) is Turnpike Exit 13. Listen to traffic before taking NJ Turnpike, although this author never had an issue.

A suggested route for most of Lakewood to the G.S.P., especially on Erev Shabbos Chanukah would be the Cedar Bridge Avenue entry just past Airport Road.

Wishing one and all a safe trip, a good Shabbos, and Ah Freilichin Chanuka. Enjoy vacation…. Especially from traffic!

P.S. One last thought that will sustain all eventuality… R’ Moshe ZT”L writes in the middle of a Tshuva that “all automobiles that are placed in front of you are there because…. Hashem wants it to be there in front of you.” Hasgacha… Prutis. – Mu Rabbu MaSecha Hashem.

(Please feel free to list any and all legitimate routes that would benefit the public. Thank you. If you have any comments re the above mentioned routes, please list them as well. Thank You.)