The Palisades Interstate Parkway starts at the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee and runs north along the top of the cliffs. For a car, it is the quick, green way to Rockland County and Bear Mountain. For a moving truck, it is closed. If you are moving north from Fort Lee, Englewood Cliffs, Edgewater or Cliffside Park, this rule shapes the route, the timing and how you plan a do-it-yourself move.
What the rule says
The Palisades Interstate Park Commission runs the New Jersey part of the Parkway. Its rule is short: the Parkway is for passenger cars and motorcycles only. The Commission names what is not allowed:
- Trucks. A rental moving truck is a truck, so it cannot use the Parkway.
- Cars pulling trailers, and RVs or motor homes.
- Cars or pickup trucks with commercial or combination plates, business markings or advertising.
The Commission gives Parkway travel permits only to groups carrying students or children to or from school or camp, or on field trips, in vehicles that seat 15 or more. There is no permit for a household move.
The Parkway is about 42 miles long, from the George Washington Bridge to the Bear Mountain Bridge. About 11 miles are in New Jersey, from Fort Lee to the New York state line at Alpine. North of the line it is a New York State parkway, and New York bans commercial vehicles and tractor-trailers from its state parkways as well. The New York State Department of Transportation warns that some parkway bridges are as low as 6 feet 11 inches.
Henry Hudson Drive is not a way around
Henry Hudson Drive runs along the river below the cliffs, about 8 miles from the Edgewater park entrance north to Alpine. It is a park road, and the Commission’s regulations ban commercial vehicles in the park. Parts of the Drive also close to cars in the cold season and on some holiday weekends. It is a beautiful drive, but it is not a route for a moving truck.
The Garden State Parkway has a limit too
Some people look at the Garden State Parkway as the next choice. North of Interchange 105, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority bans heavy trucks registered at 10,000 pounds or more (six tires, or three or more axles). That covers the whole Garden State Parkway through Bergen County. Moving trucks of that size have to stay off it, so we plan North Jersey routes without it.
How we plan a move north
We set every route before moving day, on roads open to a truck of our size, and we follow the posted signs. In practice:
- Short moves north to Englewood Cliffs, Tenafly, Alpine or Closter: local roads. The Parkway’s exits connect to U.S. Route 9W, the road that runs next to it, and we check the truck rules for the streets near your new home.
- Rockland and Orange counties: interstate highways, such as I-80 and I-287, and the New York State Thruway, instead of the Parkway.
- Westchester and Connecticut: either the George Washington Bridge and I-95, or the Thruway across the Hudson. On the George Washington Bridge, the Port Authority requires all trucks to use the upper level.
- Upstate and other states: interstate highways the whole way. See our long-distance moves from New Jersey.
The Port Authority collects tolls on its crossings only when you enter New York. Coming back into New Jersey over the George Washington Bridge, there is no toll. Traffic on the bridge approaches changes through the day, so we also choose the start time with care.
Renting a truck yourself? Read this first
- Phone and car GPS apps may send you onto the Parkway. Follow the posted signs, not the app.
- Pulling a trailer behind your car? The trailer ban applies to you too.
- Borrowing a pickup or van with a company name on it? The Commission also bans vehicles with business markings or commercial plates.
- Know your truck’s height before you leave, and compare it with the clearances posted on the way.
- Allow more time than a car trip. Truck routes north are often longer.
If that sounds like a lot to manage, a licensed mover plans the route for you. More about moves in Fort Lee and Englewood Cliffs.
Common questions
Can I drive a rental moving truck on the Palisades Parkway?
No. The Palisades Interstate Park Commission allows only passenger cars and motorcycles. Trucks, cars with trailers, RVs and vehicles with commercial plates or business markings are not allowed.
Can I tow a small trailer on the Parkway?
No. Cars pulling trailers are on the Commission’s list of vehicles that may not use the Parkway.
Is there a permit for a household move?
No. Parkway travel permits are only for groups carrying students or children to school, camp or field trips in vehicles that seat 15 or more.
Do you move from Fort Lee to Rockland County or Westchester?
Yes. Westchester is in our service area, and we handle long-distance moves, including Rockland County and upstate New York. You get a free written estimate before moving day.
Get your free written estimate
Call 1-800-598-4356 or send the quote form with both addresses, the floors, elevator or stairs, your date and your large items. You get a free written estimate before moving day. We are licensed and insured: U.S. DOT No. 967970, NJ public mover license 000930.
Sources
- Palisades Interstate Park Commission (NJ): Palisades Interstate Parkway
- Palisades Interstate Park Commission (NJ): Park regulations
- Palisades Interstate Park Commission (NJ): Henry Hudson Drive
- NYSDOT: No commercial vehicles on New York State parkways
- NJ Turnpike Authority: 2026 Garden State Parkway E-ZPass rates (heavy-truck rule)
- Port Authority of NY & NJ: Truckers' Guide, January 2026 (PDF)
Rules, phone numbers and schedules change. We checked every official page listed here on October 11, 2026; confirm with the town or agency before you rely on it.
