Crossing from Staten Island to New Jersey: The Outerbridge Crossing

Contrary to the claim that "no bridge links Staten Island to New Jersey," the Outerbridge Crossing does exactly that—spanning the Arthur Kill between Staten Island, NY and Perth Amboy, NJ.

Bridge Facts

• Opened: June 29, 1928
• Length: 1.9 miles (3.1 km) total; main span 750 ft
• Type: Steel cantilever bridge
• Lanes: 4 (2 each direction)
• Toll: $17 (NY-bound only, cashless/E-ZPass)
• Carries: NY-440 / NJ-440

Travel Time

• Typical crossing: 3–5 minutes at speed limit (50 mph)
• With traffic: 10–30+ minutes (rush hour, accidents)
• Not "10 minutes" as sometimes cited—that includes approach roads

Other Staten Island–NJ Connections

• Goethals Bridge (I-278): Elizabeth, NJ to Staten Island (northern route)
• Bayonne Bridge (NY-440/NJ-440): Bayonne, NJ to Staten Island (rebuilt 2017 for taller ships)

All three are operated by the Port Authority of NY & NJ.

Why the Confusion?

Staten Island has no direct subway/rail link to NJ (or Manhattan—Staten Island Railway ends at St. George Ferry). The bridges are the only road connections. Many assume "no bridge" because they know about the ferry to Manhattan.