Origin
Ashland, NJ
Late night in Ashland on Sunday
Local time
4:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 40m
Distance
79.7 mi
128 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ashland, NJ
James Kampeis
Ashland, NJ to Newark, NJ is 79.7 miles and takes about 1h 40m via New Jersey Turnpike and I 295, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive entirely within the Northeast region of New Jersey. Expect a rapid transit that's ideal if you need to get between these two points efficiently. Given the relatively short duration and focus on major roadways, this trip is best suited for a single-day journey, requiring minimal planning beyond checking traffic conditions.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.9 miles from Ashland, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike | 66.5 mi | 1h 17m |
| I 295 | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| NJ 21 | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| US 1 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Burnt Mill Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| NJ 81 | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Mulberry Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| NJ 73 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Ashland, NJ and Newark, NJ.
Start on Philmar Avenue
Turn left onto East 3rd Avenue
Turn right onto CR 670
Turn left onto CR 561
Continue on CR 561
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 295
Take the exit
Merge onto NJ 73
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto NJTP
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP
Take the exit
Merge onto NJ 81
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on US 1; US 9
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
Turn right onto Mulberry Street
Turn left onto CR 510
Arrive at destination
Given this is a short, 1h 40m drive, you have a lot of flexibility. Leaving during off-peak hours, perhaps mid-morning or early afternoon, will help you avoid the worst of the weekday commuter traffic on the New Jersey Turnpike. You won't need many stops, but there are plenty of service areas along the Turnpike if you need fuel or a break. Plan your departure with a quick check of real-time traffic apps, as delays can quickly add up on these busy highways, especially closer to Newark.
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.
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 18 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.9 miles or 49m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newark, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Ashland, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ashland, NJ
This is one driving day of about 79.7 miles and 1h 40m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 39.9 miles from Ashland, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before New Jersey Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.6 and 77 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward NJ 73 South: Berlin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward NJTP North: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21 toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$13.21 one way
$26.43 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $14.47 | $28.94 |
| premium | $4.93 | $15.46 | $30.91 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.60 | $35.19 |
Estimated Tolls: $9.30
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
$13
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.9 | 0 | $8.37 | $3.83 |
| Efficient EV | 19.9 | 0 | $6.97 | $3.19 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.9 | 0 | $11.16 | $5.10 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Ashland on Sunday
Local time
4:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Newark on Sunday
Local time
4:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny
45°F
Manalapan, NJ
40 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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This route is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with 94% of the drive taking place on major freeways like the New Jersey Turnpike and I 295. You'll experience a consistent, fast-paced environment for most of the 79.7 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 66.5 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike, meaning you can cover a lot of ground without frequent exits. While NJ 21 offers a slight variation towards the end, the overall character remains that of a high-speed transit corridor.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and I 295. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.6 miles in.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79.7 miles you will encounter 18 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 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.7 miles (NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ashland, NJ and Newark, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York, Newark Airport and Elizabeth Seaport.
Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike
Njtp North: New York
Newark Airport
Elizabeth Seaport
Newark is New Jersey's largest city and second largest in Metro New York. Although one of the great historic cities of the Northeast and the most culture-rich city in the state, Newark is often overlooked in favor of Goliath-like Manhattan and towns along the Hudson River, such as Jersey City and Hoboken. While no longer the industrial powerhouse it once was, Newark remains one of America's major shipping, rail, and air hubs. Public transportation is abundant, making it easy to get to, from, and around the city. Newark has been economically disadvantaged for some time, and suffers from a bad reputation, often informed by negative stereotyping. Thanks in large part to a nationally high-profile mayor (Cory Booker, now a U.S.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 40m. Total distance: 79.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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