Old Bridge is a large township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, in the central part of the state between New York City and the Jersey Shore. Its population is about 70,500, making it one of the county's most populous municipalities. The township is predominantly suburban, with established single-family neighborhoods, and it functions as a commuter community for people working in Manhattan and central New Jersey's corporate corridors. Old Bridge sits along Route 9 and Route 18, with the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike readily accessible nearby. NJ Transit operates bus service along Route 9, and the township's large park-and-ride gives commuters a direct connection to Manhattan without driving into the city. County Route 516 also travels through Old Bridge, linking local neighborhoods to surrounding towns. This highway and bus network places much of the New York metropolitan area within reach. Public schools are provided by Old Bridge Township Public Schools, which operates one high school with two campuses, two middle schools, and twelve elementary schools, plus athletic fields and support facilities. The district has a long-standing reputation in the community. The township also contains significant open space. Cheesequake State Park, a 1,610-acre park, sits within Old Bridge and protects a unique transitional landscape where northern and southern New Jersey ecosystems meet, with trails, fishing, and camping. Geick Park and Cottrell Farm Park offer sports fields, walking paths, and a popular splash pad, while Old Bridge Waterfront Park lies along Raritan Bay. Old Bridge's combination of commuter access, a large school system, and preserved parkland makes it a practical and popular choice for families in central New Jersey. Residential areas include established subdivisions as well as active-adult communities such as Cheesequake Village, and retail and dining cluster along the Route 9 and Route 516 corridors.