Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
20m
Distance
12.1 mi
19 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Avenel, NJ
Garrison Gao
New Brunswick, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Avenel, NJ to New Brunswick, NJ is 12.1 miles and takes about 20m via US 1, with a fuel budget near $2 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This quick jaunt stays within the Northeast region and entirely within New Jersey, making it a straightforward local trip. With a high percentage of highway driving, expect a relatively fast transit between these two points. This route is ideal for a quick errand or connecting two nearby urban areas without a significant time commitment.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 1 | 9.8 mi | 15m |
| Suydam Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Route 18 Service Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Paul Robeson Boulevard | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| State Route 18 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Livingston Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| CR 527 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Avenel Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Avenel, NJ and New Brunswick, NJ.
Start on CR 650
Turn right onto US 1; US 9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1
Continue on US 1
Continue on US 1
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto NJ 18; CR 527
Take the exit onto CR 527
Turn straight onto Route 18 Service Road
Turn left onto Paul Robeson Boulevard
Turn right onto Suydam Street
Turn left onto CR 691
Turn right onto Delavan Street
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 10.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto US 1; US 9
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward NJ 18: New Brunswick, East Brunswick
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick, Piscataway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto CR 527 toward NJ 172: New Brunswick, Cook/Douglass Campus, Paul Robeson Boulevard, New Street, Highland Park
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$2.01 one way
$4.01 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $2.20 | $4.39 |
| premium | $4.93 | $2.35 | $4.69 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.67 | $5.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$2
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.6 | 0 | $1.27 | $0.58 |
| Efficient EV | 3 | 0 | $1.06 | $0.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.8 | 0 | $1.69 | $0.77 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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
Morning in Avenel on Sunday
Local time
7:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Areas Of Fog
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued April 18 at 1:02PM EDT until April 21 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Morning in New Brunswick on Sunday
Local time
7:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Mostly Cloudy then Areas Of Fog
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued April 18 at 1:02PM EDT until April 21 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
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.
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 88% of the journey on main roads like US 1 and Route 18 Service Road. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 9.8 miles on US 1, indicating a sustained period of faster travel. The character is largely that of a high-speed transit, minimizing local road interruptions. Expect a consistent driving experience that prioritizes efficiency over scenic detours.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 1 and Suydam Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 1; US 9.
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 11 decision points packed into just 12.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 20m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 1; US 9): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Avenel, NJ and New Brunswick, NJ, road signs point toward Brunswick, Piscataway, Cook/Douglass Campus and Highland Park.
Brunswick
Piscataway
Cook/Douglass Campus
Highland Park
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 20m. Total distance: 12.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). 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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