Alpine, NJ to Lakewood, NJ is 70.6 miles and takes about 1h 44m via US Highway 9 and the Garden State Parkway, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive entirely within New Jersey, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Expect a relatively quick trip with minimal complexity, making it ideal for a single-day journey. The primary roads are well-maintained and designed for efficient travel, so you should anticipate a smooth ride without many unexpected delays.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.3 miles from Alpine, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US Highway 9
25.9 mi
38m
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
24.3 mi
31m
Garden State Parkway
4.2 mi
5m
Teaneck Road
2.9 mi
5m
New Jersey Turnpike
1.8 mi
2m
County Road
1.7 mi
2m
Exit to GSP and US Route 9
1.4 mi
2m
South Washington Avenue
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US Highway 9
— 25.9 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alpine, NJ and Lakewood, NJ.
1
Start on Warren Lane
0.3 mi·1 min·Warren Lane
2
Turn right onto CR 502
0.6 mi·1 min·Closter Dock Road
3
Turn left onto CR S-33
0.8 mi·1 min·Anderson Avenue
4
Continue on CR 501
1.7 mi·2 min·County Road
5
Turn right onto Highwood Avenue
0.1 mi·18 sec·Highwood Avenue
6
Turn right onto Jay Street
180 ft·7 sec·Jay Street
7
Continue on Riveredge Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Riveredge Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on CR 70
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
9
Turn left onto CR 39
1.1 mi·1 min·South Washington Avenue
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on CR 39
2.9 mi·5 min·Teaneck Road
11
Turn left onto CR 56
0.4 mi·49 sec·Degraw Avenue
Use the left lane.
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·25 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP SouthUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 95 South: The RidgefieldsUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
1.8 mi·2 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; NJTP
2.6 mi·3 min·New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Toward I 95 South: Turnpike South, Exit 16WUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·43 sec
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
17
Merge onto I 95
7.4 mi·10 min·New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; NJTP
14 mi·17 min·New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit onto Exit 11
1.4 mi·2 min·Exit to GSP and US Route 9
Exit 11Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, WoodbridgeUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge, Perth AmboyUse the slight left lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP Southbound entrance
0.5 mi·1 min·GSP Southbound entrance
Toward GSP South: Garden State ParkwayUse the slight left lane.
22
Merge onto GSP
3.0 mi·3 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi·49 sec·Garden State Parkway
24
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
0.4 mi·29 sec·Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 123Toward US 9 South: Sayreville, Old BridgeUse the slight right lane.
26
Merge onto US 9
26 mi·38 min·US Highway 9
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Continue on US 9
1.0 mi·2 min·Madison Avenue
28
Turn left onto 8th Street
46 ft·2 sec·8th Street
Use the left lane.
29
Arrive at destination
8th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 1h 44m duration, this trip is easily completed in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aiming to leave in the morning or mid-afternoon can help you avoid the heaviest traffic. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, you won't need to worry too much about frequent gas station stops, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Keep an eye on the Garden State Parkway for potential toll plazas, as these can sometimes cause minor slowdowns.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 35.3 miles from Alpine, NJ, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.9 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 16 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.3 miles or 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakewood, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alpine, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alpine, NJ
This is one driving day of about 70.6 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Alpine, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US Highway 9 for about 25.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 10 and 43.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
10 mi into trip|~18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South: The Ridgefields
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South: The Ridgefields
8
12.2 mi into trip|~21m in|I 95; NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur toward I 95 South: Turnpike South, Exit 16W
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South: Turnpike South, Exit 16W
8
37 mi into trip|~53m in|Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9
Take the exit onto Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9 toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 11
Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbri...
8
38.4 mi into trip|~56m in
Keep slight left at fork toward GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Pa...
8
43.3 mi into trip|~1h 3m in
Take the exit toward US 9 South: Sayreville, Old Bridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 123
Toward US 9 South: Sayreville, Old Bridge
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.70 one way
$23.41 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$12.82
$25.64
premium
$4.93
$13.69
$27.38
diesel
$5.61
$15.59
$31.18
Estimated Tolls: $3.92
New Jersey Turnpike
(26.1 mi)$3.67
Garden State Parkway
(4.2 mi)$0.25
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.2
0
$7.41
$3.39
Efficient EV
17.7
0
$6.18
$2.82
EV Truck/SUV
28.2
0
$9.88
$4.52
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Alpine, NJ
Late night
in Alpine on Sunday
Local time
4:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lakewood, NJ
Late night
in Lakewood on Sunday
Local time
4:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
24 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 44m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Thomas Edison National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Today, the brick buildings on Main Street in West Orange, NJ seem quiet, betraying little evidence of the research, development, and innovation of their heyday. Visitors can step back in time to Thoma...
Silk cloth and steam locomotives; textiles and continuous paper rolls; firearms and aircraft engines. What do these things have in common? All were manufactured in the same place - Paterson, NJ. In 17...
Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...
15 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 26.8
Morristown National Historical Park commemorates the sites of General Washington and the Continental Army’s winter encampment from December 1779 to June 1780, where soldiers survived the coldest winte...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 29.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is heavily highway-focused, with 82% of the drive taking place on major roads like the Garden State Parkway and US Highway 9. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 25.9 miles on US Highway 9, offering a consistent pace. The profile suggests a drive where you'll spend most of your time on high-speed parkways and highways, minimizing time spent navigating slower local streets. This makes for an efficient, if not particularly varied, driving experience.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 25.9 mi on US Highway 9.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 9 and New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70.6 miles you will encounter 22 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 10 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.2 miles (I 95; NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37 miles (Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Alpine, NJ and Lakewood, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp South, Exit 16W, Gsp, Woodbridge, Gsp South and Perth Amboy.
Njtp South
9.7 mi in|~17m
Exit 16W
12.2 mi in|~21m|via I 95; NJTP
Gsp
37 mi in|~53m|via Exit 11
Woodbridge
37 mi in|~53m|via Exit 11
Gsp South
38.4 mi in|~56m
Perth Amboy
38.4 mi in|~56m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 44m. Total distance: 70.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 25.9 miles on US Highway 9. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.92 in tolls one way, starting with New Jersey Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Lakewood, NJ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 10 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.2 miles (I 95; NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37 miles (Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lakewood, NJ before heading back.
