Advice needed: parking in Jersey, staying in NYC

Surprisingly, it’s actually a little longer from Toronto to White Plains than to Newark, maybe because of crossing the Hudson.
Toronto CN Tower to EWR (Newark): 7 hrs 36 min, 750 km
Toronto CN Tower to White Plains: 7 hrs 47 min, 756 km

Of course, driving through NJ might make you feel like you’ve spent an additional hour on the road.
Sorry, I can’t help it, I’ve lived in NY 35 years, and NJ is the state most hated by people in NY. It’s also the most hated state of 4 other states:
https://www.zippia.com/advice/most-hated-states/

It’s just the way the NY Thruway takes you with Toronto starting so far west. Depending on traffic though times aren’t realistic for either, but can be just about the same actual time. No need to explain about Jersey, people have to dump their trash somewhere.