Brick, NJ to Elmwood Park, NJ is 71.8 miles and takes about 1h 33m via Garden State Parkway, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within the Northeast region, specifically New Jersey, making it a convenient and straightforward journey. Given its short duration, this route is ideal for a same-day excursion. You'll primarily be on major parkways and highways, so expect a consistent driving pace. It's a practical option for getting from one point in NJ to another without venturing too far.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.9 miles from Brick, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
65 mi
1h 22m
US 46
2.6 mi
2m
Cedar Bridge Avenue
1.1 mi
2m
River Drive
0.6 mi
1m
Brick Boulevard
0.3 mi
<1m
Linden Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Market Street
0.1 mi
<1m
South Center Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 65 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brick, NJ and Elmwood Park, NJ.
1
Start on (631)
0.3 mi·38 sec·Brick Boulevard
2
Turn slight right
0.1 mi·15 sec
3
Turn slight right onto CR 528
1.1 mi·2 min·Cedar Bridge Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.8 mi·1 min
5
Merge onto GSP
13 mi·15 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·31 sec
7
Continue on GSP
52 mi·1 hr 7 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 154Toward US 46 East: CliftonUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto US 46
2.2 mi·2 min·US 46
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 46
0.3 mi·20 sec·US 46
Toward US 46 East: Elmwood ParkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
514 ft·12 sec
Toward CR 507 North: River Drive, RidgewoodUse the right lane.
12
Turn straight onto CR 507
0.6 mi·1 min·River Drive
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn right onto CR 56
0.1 mi·15 sec·Market Street
14
Turn slight left onto CR 105
0.1 mi·17 sec·Van Riper Avenue
15
Turn left onto South Center Street
0.1 mi·32 sec·South Center Street
16
At end of road, turn right onto Linden Avenue
0.2 mi·45 sec·Linden Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
Linden Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this drive is less than two hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving during off-peak hours, perhaps mid-morning or early afternoon, can help you avoid any potential local traffic. You likely won't need many stops, but there are ample opportunities for fuel and rest along the Garden State Parkway if needed. Be mindful of the $12 fuel cost estimate when planning your budget for this short, single-day trip. A good tip is to ensure your navigation is set before you leave Brick, as the route is primarily highway-focused and easy to follow.
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 35.9 miles from Brick, NJ, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65 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 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.9 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 Elmwood Park, 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 71.8 miles and 1h 33m.
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 Garden State Parkway for about 65 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 70.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.3 mi into trip|~4m in|GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
67.8 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward US 46 East: Clifton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 154
Toward US 46 East: Clifton
5
68 mi into trip|~1h 27m in|US 46
Merge onto US 46
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
70.2 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|US 46
Keep slight right at fork onto US 46 toward US 46 East: Elmwood Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 46 East: Elmwood Park
8
70.5 mi into trip|~1h 30m in
Take the exit toward CR 507 North: River Drive, Ridgewood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward CR 507 North: River Drive, Ridgewood
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.90 one way
$23.81 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$13.04
$26.07
premium
$4.93
$13.92
$27.85
diesel
$5.61
$15.85
$31.71
Estimated Tolls: $3.91
Garden State Parkway
(65 mi)$3.91
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: 25.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.5
0
$7.54
$3.45
Efficient EV
18
0
$6.28
$2.87
EV Truck/SUV
28.7
0
$10.05
$4.60
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
Brick, NJ
Late night
in Brick on Sunday
Local time
3:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Elmwood Park, NJ
Late night
in Elmwood Park on Sunday
Local time
3:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°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
15 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 33m 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...
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...
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...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 24.8
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 focused on highway driving, with 94% of your journey taking place on major roads. You'll spend a significant portion on the Garden State Parkway, including a longest stretch of 65 miles. Expect a consistent, relatively fast pace for most of the drive. The transition onto US 46 and Cedar Bridge Avenue will introduce slightly more varied road conditions as you approach your destination. This profile means you'll spend minimal time navigating local streets, making for an efficient trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Garden State Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 65 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and US 46. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in near GSP / Garden State Parkway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.8 miles you will encounter 10 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 2.3 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 68 miles (US 46): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 71.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Brick, NJ to Elmwood Park, NJ covers 71.8 miles and takes about 1h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, US 46, Cedar Bridge Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35.9 miles from Brick, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.90 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.8 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 68 miles (US 46): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Brick, NJ to Elmwood Park, NJ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
