Brick, NJ to Hackettstown, NJ is 80.6 miles and takes about 1 hour 49 minutes via NJ 18 and I-287, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within New Jersey, taking you from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. With 77% of the route on highways, expect a relatively straightforward trip. This is a manageable drive, perfect for a single-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.3 miles from Brick, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NJ 18
22.2 mi
26m
NJ 34
11.3 mi
14m
I 287
9.9 mi
11m
NJ 70
5.5 mi
7m
Old Turnpike Road
5.3 mi
9m
Schooley's Mountain Road
5 mi
7m
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
4.6 mi
5m
Fairmount Road
3.6 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
NJ 18
— 22.2 mi, about 26m
Traffic on I-78
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,869 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~481 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Hackettstown, 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
4.6 mi·5 min·Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 24Toward CR 523: Oldwick, WhitehouseUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn right onto CR 523
1.1 mi·1 min·Oldwick Road
29
Continue on CR 517
0.5 mi·1 min·Main Street
30
Continue on CR 517
5.3 mi·9 min·Old Turnpike Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Continue on CR 517
3.6 mi·5 min·Fairmount Road
32
Continue on CR 517
5.0 mi·7 min·Schooley's Mountain Road
33
Continue on NJ 182; CR 517
1.0 mi·1 min·Mountain Avenue
34
Continue on US 46; CR 517
0.4 mi·1 min·Main Street
35
Turn right onto CR 517
68 ft·2 sec·High Street
36
Arrive at destination
CR 517
Trip Plan
Given this is a fairly short drive of under two hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Brick, NJ in the morning should get you to Hackettstown, NJ with plenty of daylight remaining. The longest stretch without a major road change is 22.2 miles on NJ 18, so plan for any necessary stops before or after this segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $13, you won't need to worry too much about refueling, but it's always wise to start with a full tank.
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 40.3 miles from Brick, NJ, or about 50m 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 18 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.3 miles or 50m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hackettstown, 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 80.6 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.8 and 63.5 — 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
63.5 mi into trip|~1h 20m in
Take the exit toward CR 523: Oldwick, Whitehouse
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 24
Toward CR 523: Oldwick, Whitehouse
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.25 one way
$28.51 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$15.61
$31.22
premium
$5.24
$16.64
$33.28
diesel
$5.35
$16.98
$33.95
Estimated Tolls: $0.37
Old Turnpike Road
(5.3 mi)$0.37
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
$14
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.2
0
$8.46
$3.87
Efficient EV
20.2
0
$7.05
$3.22
EV Truck/SUV
32.2
0
$11.28
$5.16
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of May 31, 2026
Origin
Brick, NJ
Evening
in Brick on Wednesday
Local time
5:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Sunny
W 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued May 31 at 4:06AM EDT until May 31 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Hackettstown, NJ
Evening
in Hackettstown on Wednesday
Local time
5:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued May 31 at 4:06AM EDT until May 31 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
70°F
Edison, 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 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 49m 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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 58.4
Park Closure: Jockey Hollow Comfort Station Temporary Closure (May 5–8)
Park Closure: Partial Reopening: Cross Estate Gardens
Situated within the most densely populated region of the United States, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides a unique opportunity to experience tranquil landscapes, rich human history,...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
$10
near mile 80.6
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 47.3
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...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 27.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is mostly highway, with 77% of the 80.6 miles spent on major roads like NJ 18 and I-287. You'll experience a significant stretch of 22.2 miles on NJ 18 before transitioning to I-287. Expect a number of exits along I-287 as you make your way north. The remaining 23% of the drive will be on surface roads.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 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 NJ 34. 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 80.6 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 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
781 ft22 ft
Total Climb
919 ft
Total Descent
376 ft
Highest Point
781 ft
~74.8 mi in
Elevation Range
759 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 Hackettstown, NJ, road signs point toward So Bound Brook, Mahwah, Pennsylvania, Cr 523: Oldwick and Whitehouse.
So Bound Brook
42.7 mi in|~53m
Mahwah
47.2 mi in|~1h 1m
Pennsylvania
57.4 mi in|~1h 13m
Cr 523: Oldwick
63.5 mi in|~1h 20m
Whitehouse
63.5 mi in|~1h 20m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Windward Beach Park
Park
Near the start, short detour
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Bissett's Recreation Area
Park
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
Quail Brook Park
Park
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
Pacer's Field
Park
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Rutgers Ecological Preserve
Park
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Dorbrook County Park
Park
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
Camp Evans Historic District
District
Near the start, short detour
First break
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 49m. Total distance: 80.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). 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.
Expect about $0.37 in tolls one way, starting with Old Turnpike Road. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Hackettstown, 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, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Thomas Edison National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). 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 Hackettstown, NJ before heading back.
