New Jersey Route 208 - Route Description

Route Description

Route 208 (dedicated as the World War II Veterans Memorial Highway) is constructed like a freeway, however, at no point does it meet the standard of controlled access. Several streets and private driveways abut the road throughout its length, with right-in/right-out access; however, no traffic may cross the highway at grade. Traffic moves in at least two lanes in each direction for the road's entire length of 10.07 mi (16.21 km), widening briefly to three lanes near its northern terminus.

The road originates at an interchange with Route 4 in Fair Lawn, Bergen County that also includes ramps for County Route 79 (Saddle River Road), heading to the west near residential areas. Shortly after beginning, a ramp from southbound Route 208 provides access via Virginia Drive to westbound Route 4. The next exit is a partial interchange with County Route 78 (Morlot Avenue), followed by a full interchange with Plaza Road. Past the latter, the route passes over New Jersey Transit’s Bergen County Line and comes to a southbound exit and entrance with Berdan Avenue. From here, the road turns to the northwest, passing near more neighborhoods before coming to an interchange with County Route 76 (Fair Lawn Avenue). Past this interchange, the northbound direction of Route 208 widens to three lanes and it continues into commercial areas, with some driveways along the road and an intersection with McBride Avenue. At this point, the highway passes an industrial park, including a Nabisco plant on the right side. A short distance later, the road reaches the interchange with County Route 507 (Maple Avenue) and County Route 127 (Harristown Road). Past this interchange, the road enters Glen Rock and has a northbound exit and entrance with De Boer Drive before crossing over the New Jersey Transit Main Line. Past the railroad crossing, Route 208 heads through wooded residential areas prior to a northbound interchange with County Route 653 (Lincoln Avenue), where it enters Hawthorne, Passaic County. County Route 653 and Route 208 are connected by a short segment of County Route 664 (Rea Avenue).

The highway has turnoffs in each direction for Utter Avenue before passing beneath the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway track prior the interchange with County Route 659 (Goffle Road). Past here, the highway turns north and climbs a hill, passing the Hawthorne Gospel Church on the right. It re-enters Bergen County in Wyckoff, just before the Grandview Avenue interchange. From here, Route 208 largely resembles a wooded parkway, although there are a few driveways off the road. The road turns northwest and interchanges with County Route 93 (Cedar Hill Avenue) before passing near more homes and coming to an interchange with County Route S93 (Russell Avenue). The road continues into Franklin Lakes and interchanges with County Route 502 (Ewing Avenue) before turning west-northwest and coming to an exit for County Route S89 (Summit Avenue). Past Summit Avenue, the road has two interchanges providing access to the Becton Dickinson headquarters campus, where the road carries three lanes in each direction. It narrows back to two lanes in each direction before coming to the interchange with County Route 117 (Colonial Road) and County Route 89 (High Mountain Road). The final exit heading northbound is for Interstate 287 north, an interchange that includes another crossing of the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway. After passing the exit, Route 208 northbound merges into Interstate 287 southbound at the Franklin Lakes and Oakland border.