Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 14m
Distance
52.9 mi
85 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
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.
Belvidere, NJ
Thomas Parker
Edison, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
This 53-mile drive from Belvidere to Edison, New Jersey, is a straightforward, one-day trip taking approximately 1 hour and 5 minutes. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $9, it's an economical option for a short excursion. The route primarily utilizes local roads, including Water Street and Route 31 South, before merging onto I-78 East for a portion. You'll remain within the Northeast region for the entirety of this journey. Given its brevity and local road focus, this drive is best suited for a single day, offering a simple and direct path between these two New Jersey locations.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Route 31 South BEGIN | 16.9 mi | 26m |
| I 287 | 14.4 mi | 16m |
| Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway | 12.2 mi | 14m |
| US 46 | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Stelton Road | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| Water Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Plainfield Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Ramp to I-287 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Belvidere, NJ and Edison, NJ.
Start on this road
Turn right onto CR 620
Merge onto US 46
Turn right onto NJ 31
Take the exit onto ramp to I-78/US 22 East
Merge onto I 78; US 22
Take the exit onto Ramp to I-287
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 287
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Continue on CR 529
Continue on CR 529
Turn right onto Central Avenue
Turn right onto Reed Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 26.5 miles from Belvidere, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 21.4 and 49.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit onto ramp to I-78/US 22 East toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Newark
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto Ramp to I-287 toward I 287: Morristown, Somerville
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 I 287 South: Somerville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward CR 529: Stelton Road, Edison, MVC Agency
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 MVC Agency
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$8.77 one way
$17.54 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $9.61 | $19.21 |
| premium | $4.93 | $10.26 | $20.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.68 | $23.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.9 | 0 | $5.55 | $2.54 |
| Efficient EV | 13.2 | 0 | $4.63 | $2.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.2 | 0 | $7.41 | $3.39 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 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
Afternoon in Belvidere on Sunday
Local time
12:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Cloudy
Destination
Afternoon in Edison on Sunday
Local time
12:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
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.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for most of this 53-mile journey, with a 0% highway share. You'll navigate through Water Street and Route 31 South, experiencing frequent changes in direction as you make your way through the landscape. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, suggesting a consistent need for attention to your surroundings and navigation. This type of route offers an intimate connection with the local area, allowing you to observe the transition from one community to the next without the detachment of constant high-speed highway travel.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Route 31 South BEGIN and I 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 21.4 miles in near ramp to I-78/US 22 East.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 52.9 miles you will encounter 12 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 21.4 miles (ramp to I-78/US 22 East): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.9 miles (Ramp to I-287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Belvidere, NJ and Edison, NJ, road signs point toward Somerville and Mvc Agency.
Somerville
Mvc Agency
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 14m. Total distance: 52.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). 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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