Brick, NJ to White Meadow Lake, NJ is 81.8 miles and takes about 1h 46m via Garden State Parkway and Essex Freeway, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within New Jersey, connecting two points in the Northeast region. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward and efficient drive. Given the relatively short duration and highway focus, this route is ideal for a single-day trip when you need to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.9 miles from Brick, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
55.9 mi
1h 10m
Essex Freeway
11.5 mi
14m
Christopher Columbus Highway
8.3 mi
9m
Cedar Bridge Avenue
1.1 mi
2m
White Meadow Road
1 mi
2m
White Meadow Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
Brick Boulevard
0.3 mi
<1m
Green Pond Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 55.9 mi, about 1h 10m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 49 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~5,417 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~444 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 White Meadow Lake, 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
42 mi·54 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 145Toward I 280, CR 508: Newark, The OrangesUse the slight right lane.
9
Continue on this road
160 ft·3 sec·this road
Toward I 280, CR 508: Newark, The Oranges
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 280 West, I 280 East: Orange, West Orange, Newark, HarrisonUse the slight left lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 280 West: The OrangesUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward I 280 West: The OrangesUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 280
12 mi·14 min·Essex Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·31 sec
Toward I 280 West, I 80 West
15
Merge onto I 80
8.3 mi·9 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 37Toward CR 513: Hibernia, RockawayUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
177 ft·4 sec
Toward CR 513 South: Main Street, RockawayUse the left / right lanes.
18
Turn slight right onto CR 513
0.3 mi·28 sec·Green Pond Road
Use the right lane.
19
Turn straight onto CR 513
0.1 mi·18 sec·Hibernia Avenue
20
Turn sharp right onto White Meadow Avenue
0.4 mi·55 sec·White Meadow Avenue
21
Continue on White Meadow Road
1.0 mi·2 min·White Meadow Road
22
Turn right
45 ft·5 sec
23
Turn right
214 ft·24 sec
24
At end of road, turn right
53 ft·3 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 1h 46m drive, consider leaving Brick, NJ in the morning to avoid peak traffic, especially on the Garden State Parkway. Since the total distance is under 100 miles, you can easily complete this in one day without needing to stop overnight. While there are no designated stops in the data, use the service areas along the Garden State Parkway for fuel and rest if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel cost estimate of $13 for budgeting. Given the flexibility of a shorter drive, you can depart later in the day if that suits your schedule better.
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 40.9 miles from Brick, NJ, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.9 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 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.9 miles or 52m 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 White Meadow Lake, 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 81.8 miles and 1h 46m.
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 Garden State Parkway for about 55.9 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 58.6 and 79.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
58.6 mi into trip|~1h 15m in
Take the exit toward I 280, CR 508: Newark, The Oranges
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 145
Toward I 280, CR 508: Newark, The Oranges
9
58.9 mi into trip|~1h 15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 280 West, I 280 East: Orange, West Orange, Newark, Harrison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 280 West, I 280 East: Orange, West Ora...
8
59.1 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 280 West: The Oranges
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 280 West: The Oranges
8
59.3 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 280 West: The Oranges
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 280 West: The Oranges
9
79.9 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CR 513 South: Main Street, Rockaway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward CR 513 South: Main Street, Rockaway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.04 one way
$26.09 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$14.43
$28.87
premium
$4.81
$15.48
$30.97
diesel
$4.80
$15.45
$30.89
Estimated Tolls: $3.36
Garden State Parkway
(55.9 mi)$3.36
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
$13
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.5
0
$8.59
$3.93
Efficient EV
20.5
0
$7.16
$3.27
EV Truck/SUV
32.7
0
$11.45
$5.24
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Brick, NJ
Afternoon
in Brick on Sunday
Local time
12:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 15 mph61% chanceLive forecast
Destination
White Meadow Lake, NJ
Afternoon
in White Meadow Lake on Sunday
Local time
12:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 mph80% 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
5 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 46m 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.
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...
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 76.1
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...
9 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 64.8
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
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 25.4
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,...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
$10
near mile 81.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily highway, with 83% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a longest stretch of 55.9 miles on the Garden State Parkway. The transition to surface roads will occur after this long highway segment, leading into the final miles. Expect frequent exits and traffic merging as you navigate through the Northeast corridor.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.9 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Essex Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 58.6 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 81.8 miles you will encounter 17 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 58.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
743 ft22 ft
Total Climb
1,184 ft
Total Descent
463 ft
Highest Point
743 ft
~81.8 mi in
Elevation Range
721 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 White Meadow Lake, NJ, road signs point toward Cr 508: Newark, The Oranges, Orange, Newark and Harrison.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 81.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.9 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.36 in tolls one way, starting with Garden State Parkway. 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 8 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 White Meadow Lake, 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 58.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Morristown National Historical Park and Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park (5 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 White Meadow Lake, NJ before heading back.
