Traveling from Brooklyn to MetLife Stadium may look simple on a map. The distance is only about 13 to 17 miles depending on where you start in the borough.
In reality, this trip crosses one of the most complex transportation corridors in the New York region. Travelers must move through Brooklyn traffic, cross Manhattan’s dense street grid, and then pass through a Hudson River tunnel before reaching the Meadowlands in New Jersey.
When MetLife Stadium hosts a sold-out NFL game, up to 82,500 people may be traveling to the same destination at the same time, the capacity MetLife Stadium lists for football and soccer in October 2026 (it lists 50,000 for most concerts). Understanding the route before you leave Brooklyn can make the difference between arriving comfortably and spending hours stuck in traffic.
If you are comparing routes from different boroughs, you may also want to read the broader guide to transportation to MetLife Stadium.
The best way to get from Brooklyn to MetLife Stadium
The most reliable way to get from Brooklyn to MetLife Stadium on an event day is public transit.
Typical route:
- Take the A, C, or E subway to 34 St–Penn Station
- Board an NJ Transit train to Secaucus Junction
- Transfer to the Meadowlands Rail Line shuttle
- Arrive directly at the stadium gates
Total travel time usually ranges between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on connections.
Driving through the BQE and Lincoln Tunnel can be faster in perfect conditions, but during events travel times can increase dramatically due to congestion.
Prices mentioned in this guide are reference estimates and may change, so always verify fares or tolls before traveling.
Starting points in Brooklyn: downtown Brooklyn vs Williamsburg
Different neighborhoods in Brooklyn connect to the regional transportation network in different ways. Two of the most common starting points for stadium travel are Downtown Brooklyn and Williamsburg.
Downtown Brooklyn
Downtown Brooklyn is one of the borough’s main transit hubs.
From Jay St–MetroTech, travelers can take the A, C, or E subway lines directly to Penn Station in about 20 minutes.
Advantages of starting here:
• Direct subway access to Midtown Manhattan
• Fast connection to NJ Transit trains
• No need to deal with surface traffic
Drivers starting in Downtown Brooklyn can also reach the Brooklyn Bridge or Manhattan Bridge, but this means entering Manhattan’s street grid, which often becomes congested during major events.
Williamsburg
Williamsburg relies heavily on the L train, which runs under the East River to Manhattan.
Typical route:
Williamsburg → L train → 14 St–8 Ave → transfer to A, C, or E → Penn Station
This adds a transfer compared to Downtown Brooklyn, but total travel time to Penn Station is usually still around 20 minutes.
One thing to consider is that delays on the L train can cause travelers to miss their NJ Transit connection at Penn Station, sometimes adding a 20 to 30 minute wait.
For drivers, Williamsburg has another challenge: local streets merge into the BQE near the Kosciuszko Bridge, an area known for heavy congestion.
For travelers coming from other boroughs, you may also want to compare these guides:
• Queens to MetLife Stadium transportation
• Bronx to MetLife Stadium Transportation
• Transportation from New York City to MetLife Stadium
Driving from Brooklyn to MetLife Stadium
Driving is possible, especially for groups planning to tailgate, but it comes with several risks.
The typical driving route looks like this:
Brooklyn → BQE → East River bridge → Manhattan streets → Lincoln Tunnel → NJ-495 → Route 3 → MetLife Stadium
Under ideal conditions this trip might take 30 to 40 minutes.
During major events it can easily take 90 minutes to more than two hours.
Why traffic increases so much on this route
The Brooklyn to MetLife corridor passes through several well-known congestion points.
The BQE
The Brooklyn-Queens Expressway is one of the oldest highway structures in New York City. Parts of it operate under heavy maintenance and traffic restrictions, especially near the Brooklyn Heights area.
Even a small incident can create delays that spread quickly through the entire corridor.
Crossing Manhattan
Once drivers leave Brooklyn, they must cross Manhattan to reach the Lincoln Tunnel.
Unlike other cities, there is no direct highway connection between the East River bridges and the Lincoln Tunnel. Vehicles must travel through busy streets like:
• Canal Street
• 34th Street
• 42nd Street
Crossing Midtown alone can take 30 to 45 minutes during peak hours.
Vehicles entering Manhattan streets inside the congestion pricing zone may also face an additional fee of around $9 for passenger vehicles. Rates may change, so always verify current charges.
The Lincoln Tunnel bottleneck
The Lincoln Tunnel is one of the busiest vehicle tunnels in the United States.
When thousands of stadium visitors use the same crossing, traffic quickly builds near the tunnel entrance and on the approach highway in New Jersey.
Once drivers reach this point, there are few alternative routes.
Taking the train to MetLife Stadium
Public transit avoids most of the traffic problems described above.
The typical rail journey works like this:
Brooklyn subway → Penn Station → NJ Transit → Secaucus Junction → Meadowlands Rail Line
Travel time breakdown:
Subway to Penn Station
about 20 to 30 minutes
NJ Transit train to Secaucus
about 10 to 12 minutes
Meadowlands shuttle
about 10 to 12 minutes
Total travel time usually ranges between 60 and 90 minutes.
Round-trip rail tickets from Penn Station to the stadium are usually around $12.90, plus the subway fare. These prices are reference estimates and may change.
Tip: buy your NJ Transit ticket in the NJ Transit mobile app before arriving. Buying tickets onboard the train can add an extra fee.
Bus option: the 351 Meadowlands Express
Another option is the 351 Meadowlands Express bus, operated from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan.
The bus runs directly from Midtown to MetLife Stadium and is popular during large events.
Typical details:
• Departure from Port Authority Bus Terminal
• Direct ride to the stadium
• Round-trip ticket around $18 (reference price)
This option is simpler than the train because there are no transfers after boarding the bus.
However, buses still use the Lincoln Tunnel, so heavy traffic can affect travel time.
Comparing transportation options
| Transportation | Typical travel time | Estimated cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subway + NJ Transit | 60–90 minutes | ~$18–$20 | Most reliable option |
| Driving | 40–150+ minutes | Tolls + parking | Tailgating groups |
| Rideshare (Uber / Lyft) | 60–150+ minutes | $80–$200+ depending on demand | Door-to-door travel |
| 351 Meadowlands Express bus | 60–120 minutes | ~$18 | Simple Midtown departure |
Fares and travel times on this page are 2026 estimates and can change with the season, schedule updates, demand, weather, and service conditions. Confirm current prices and times with the official carrier before you travel.
Prices are approximate and can change depending on event demand.
A key challenge: crossing two congestion zones
Travelers from Brooklyn face a unique challenge compared to many other regions.
They must pass through two major congestion areas in the same trip:
- Brooklyn and Manhattan traffic
- The Hudson River tunnel crossing
If delays occur in the first area, they often push drivers into heavier traffic at the tunnel, increasing travel time even more.
Public transit avoids most of this issue because subway and rail lines operate on their own infrastructure, separate from highway traffic.
Event-day strategy
Planning ahead can make the trip much easier.
Leave earlier than you think
For evening events, leaving before 2 PM significantly reduces traffic risk.
Between 2 PM and 7 PM, both commuter traffic and stadium traffic overlap.
Expect delays after the event
When an event ends, thousands of people leave the stadium at the same time.
Parking lots and nearby roads often become congested.
Some travelers wait 30 to 45 minutes before leaving to avoid the initial traffic wave.
Rail travelers may also see lines forming at the Meadowlands train platform immediately after events.
Looking ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup
MetLife Stadium hosted eight matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including the final on July 19, 2026. Tournament-only transport measures are no longer in effect.
The same pressure returns at every sold-out game at the stadium, which MetLife Stadium lists at a capacity of 82,500 for football and soccer.
During these events, public transit will likely be the most predictable way to reach the stadium.
Frequently asked questions
Travel time ranges between 60 and 90 minutes by train and 40 minutes to more than two hours by car, depending on traffic.
No. Travelers must transfer at Penn Station and again at Secaucus Junction before taking the Meadowlands shuttle.
Yes. MetLife Stadium requires a prepaid parking permit for every vehicle on NFL game days, with an off-site lot at $65 for drivers without one, and sells parking per event for other events; as a rough estimate, prices can range from $40 to $100 or more depending on the event.
Public transit is usually the least expensive option. The combined subway and NJ Transit fare typically costs around $18 to $20.
Final takeaway
Although Brooklyn and MetLife Stadium are relatively close geographically, the journey crosses some of the busiest transportation corridors in the United States.
For most travelers, subway plus NJ Transit offers the best balance of reliability, cost, and travel time. Driving can work for groups planning to tailgate or arriving very early, but it carries much higher risk of delays.
Planning ahead, leaving early, and choosing the right transportation method will make the trip far smoother.
Sources
Official pages this guide relies on, checked in October 2026. Rules and prices can change, sometimes for a single event, so confirm with the issuer before you travel.
