Brick to Clinton is 72.5 miles and takes about 1 hour 32 minutes via NJ 18 and Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within New Jersey, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Given its relatively short distance and predominantly highway profile, this route is a straightforward drive for a single day. It's a practical option for getting from one part of the state to another without a significant time commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.3 miles from Brick, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NJ 18
22.2 mi
26m
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
12 mi
13m
NJ 34
11.3 mi
14m
I 287
9.9 mi
11m
NJ 70
5.5 mi
7m
Easton Avenue
3.4 mi
5m
Memorial Parkway
1.9 mi
2m
NJ 33
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
NJ 18
— 22.2 mi, about 26m
Traffic on I-78
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,900 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,574
Quietest
2 AM
~491 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 99 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brick, NJ and Clinton, NJ.
1
Start on (631)
236 ft·5 sec·Brick Boulevard
2
Turn slight right
332 ft·8 sec
3
Turn straight onto CR 549
0.2 mi·31 sec·Chambersbridge Road
4
Turn right onto NJ 70
0.7 mi·1 min·NJ 70
5
Continue on NJ 70
4.8 mi·5 min·NJ 70
Use the slight right / right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
7
Merge onto NJ 35
260 ft·5 sec·NJ 35
8
Continue on NJ 34
2.6 mi·3 min·NJ 34
9
Enter roundabout onto NJ 34
287 ft·3 sec·NJ 34
10
Continue on NJ 34
79 ft·1 sec·NJ 34
11
Continue on NJ 34
5.0 mi·5 min·NJ 34
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Enter roundabout onto NJ 33; NJ 34
451 ft·6 sec·NJ 33; NJ 34
13
Continue on NJ 33; NJ 34
1.0 mi·1 min·NJ 33; NJ 34
14
Take the exit onto NJ 34
3.6 mi·5 min·NJ 34
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick
16
Merge onto NJ 18
22 mi·26 min·NJ 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on NJ 18
1.9 mi·2 min·Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward Easton Avenue, So Bound BrookUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn straight onto (672)
0.2 mi·18 sec·George Street
20
Turn left onto CR 609
0.3 mi·27 sec·Landing Lane
21
Turn right onto CR 527
3.4 mi·5 min·Easton Avenue
Use the right lane.
22
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 287 North: Morristown, Mahwah
23
Merge onto I 287
7.2 mi·8 min·I 287
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 287
2.7 mi·3 min·I 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
1.4 mi·1 min
Exit 21BToward I 78 West: Easton, PennsylvaniaUse the slight left / straight lanes.
26
Merge onto I 78
12 mi·13 min·Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.4 mi·42 sec
Exit 17Toward NJ 31: Clinton, Flemington, WashingtonUse the slight right lane.
28
Merge onto NJ 31
0.3 mi·27 sec·NJ 31
29
Take the exit onto to Route 31 Southbound
450 ft·12 sec·to Route 31 Southbound
30
Turn slight right onto CR 626
148 ft·5 sec·Beaver Avenue
31
Turn right onto NJ 173
0.9 mi·1 min·Old Highway 22
32
Turn right onto CR 513
128 ft·2 sec·Leigh Street
33
Arrive at destination
CR 513
Trip Plan
Since this is a drive under two hours, you have a lot of flexibility. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the worst of rush hour traffic in either direction. With only 72.5 miles, you likely won't need to stop for fuel, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. The longest stretch is over 22 miles on NJ 18, so plan for continuous driving during that segment. You should have plenty of time to reach your destination and still have daylight left.
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 36.3 miles from Brick, NJ, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 22.2 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 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.3 miles or 45m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clinton, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brick, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Brick, NJ
This is one driving day of about 72.5 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Brick, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on NJ 18 for about 22.2 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.8 and 70.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
14.8 mi into trip|~18m in|NJ 34
Take the exit onto NJ 34
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
42.7 mi into trip|~53m in
Take the exit toward Easton Avenue, So Bound Brook
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Easton Avenue, So Bound Brook
6
54.7 mi into trip|~1h 10m in|I 287
Keep slight left at fork onto I 287
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
57.4 mi into trip|~1h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 78 West: Easton, Pennsylvania
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 21B
Toward I 78 West: Easton, Pennsylvania
8
70.8 mi into trip|~1h 28m in
Take the exit toward NJ 31: Clinton, Flemington, Washington
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 17
Toward NJ 31: Clinton, Flemington, Washington
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.66 one way
$25.32 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$13.86
$27.73
premium
$5.20
$14.83
$29.66
diesel
$6.28
$17.91
$35.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.8
0
$7.61
$3.48
Efficient EV
18.1
0
$6.34
$2.90
EV Truck/SUV
29
0
$10.15
$4.64
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 Oct 22, 2026
Origin
Brick, NJ
Afternoon
in Brick on Friday
Local time
4:19 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Mostly Cloudy
N 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Clinton, NJ
Afternoon
in Clinton on Friday
Local time
4:19 PM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Mostly Clear
N 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 32m on the road
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Morristown National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 57.5
Caution: Jockey Hollow Outer Blue Loop and a Section of Primrose Trail Closed
Caution: Passaic River Bridge Trail (Teal Trail) Closed
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...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
$10
near mile 42.5
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to spend about 90% of your drive on highways. You'll encounter 22.2 miles on NJ 18 as your longest stretch before transitioning to other main roads. The frequent exits on these highways mean you'll be merging and exiting often, so stay alert. The route's profile is mostly highway, so expect consistent speeds for most of the trip.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 22.2 mi on NJ 18.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NJ 18 and Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.8 miles in near NJ 34.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.5 miles you will encounter 21 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 14.8 miles (NJ 34): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 42.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.7 miles (I 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
247 ft10 ft
Total Climb
480 ft
Total Descent
311 ft
Highest Point
247 ft
~67.3 mi in
Elevation Range
238 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Brick, NJ and Clinton, NJ, road signs point toward So Bound Brook, Mahwah and Pennsylvania.
Clinton is a city in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. It is one of the larger townships in the county and contains the towns of Annandale, Clinton, and Lebanon. Clinton Township contains many historic buildings. The township contains a few secret getaways which many of the locals enjoy. During the summer, the two reservoirs inside the township receive many visitors that come to relax and enjoy the scenery.
Top landmarks
•Red Mill — historic mill in Clinton, New Jersey
•M. C. Mulligan & Sons Quarry — historic district in Hunterdon County, New Jersey
•Old Grandin Library — historic building in Clinton, New Jersey
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 72.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 22.2 miles on NJ 18. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Clinton, 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 14.8 miles (NJ 34): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 42.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.7 miles (I 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Morristown National Historical Park, Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area. 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 Clinton, NJ before heading back.
