Cedar Glen Lakes, NJ to Newark, NJ is 65.7 miles and takes about 1h 35m via New Jersey Turnpike, CR 539, and Sharon Station Road, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays entirely within New Jersey, moving from the Northeast region towards another in the Northeast. Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this trip. It's a straightforward journey, ideal for a single-day excursion when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
32.9 miles from Cedar Glen Lakes, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
33.4 mi
39m
CR 539
15.4 mi
23m
Sharon Station Road
4 mi
8m
Old York Road
3.7 mi
5m
NJ 21
1.9 mi
3m
US 1
1.7 mi
2m
South Main Street
0.9 mi
1m
Franklin Street
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 33.4 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Glen Lakes, NJ and Newark, NJ.
1
Start on Maine Avenue
118 ft·12 sec·Maine Avenue
2
Turn left onto California Drive
520 ft·23 sec·California Drive
3
Turn right
0.2 mi·41 sec
4
At end of road, turn right onto Michigan Avenue
0.1 mi·35 sec·Michigan Avenue
5
At end of road, turn left onto CR 24
0.1 mi·22 sec·Roosevelt City Road
6
At end of road, turn right onto NJ 70; CR 530
0.3 mi·31 sec·NJ 70; CR 530
7
Turn left onto CR 539
15 mi·23 min·CR 539
Use the left lane.
8
Enter roundabout onto CR 539 ALT
53 ft·0 sec·Sharon Station Road
9
Continue on CR 539 ALT
4.0 mi·8 min·Sharon Station Road
10
Turn left onto Herbert Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Herbert Road
11
Turn right onto CR 539
3.7 mi·5 min·Old York Road
12
Continue on CR 539
0.9 mi·1 min·South Main Street
13
Turn slight right
94 ft·3 sec
14
Turn right onto NJ 33
0.8 mi·1 min·Franklin Street
15
Turn left onto I 95; NJTP
33 mi·39 min·New Jersey Turnpike
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 13AToward Newark Airport, Elizabeth SeaportUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto NJ 81
0.7 mi·1 min·NJ 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·44 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on US 1; US 9
1.7 mi·2 min·US 1; US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21
1.9 mi·3 min·NJ 21
Toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, DowntownUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
229 ft·7 sec·Chestnut Street
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right onto Mulberry Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Mulberry Street
23
Turn left onto CR 510
0.2 mi·29 sec·Market Street
Use the left lane.
24
Arrive at destination
CR 510
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 35 minutes, this trip offers flexibility. Consider departing during off-peak hours to minimize any potential traffic delays, especially as you approach Newark. With a fuel cost estimated at $11, you won't need to worry about frequent refueling stops, though it's always wise to start with a full tank. Pay attention to signs for CR 539 and Sharon Station Road as they mark the transition away from the main highway, ensuring you follow the correct path into your destination.
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 32.9 miles from Cedar Glen Lakes, NJ, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.4 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 14 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 32.9 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newark, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cedar Glen Lakes, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cedar Glen Lakes, NJ
This is one driving day of about 65.7 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Cedar Glen Lakes, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New Jersey Turnpike for about 33.4 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 59.6 and 65.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
59.6 mi into trip|~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport
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 13A
Toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport
6
61 mi into trip|~1h 25m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
63 mi into trip|~1h 29m in|NJ 21
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21 toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
6
64.9 mi into trip|~1h 32m in|Chestnut Street
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
65.6 mi into trip|~1h 34m in|CR 510 / Market Street
Turn left onto CR 510 / Market Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.89 one way
$21.78 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg23 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$11.93
$23.86
premium
$4.93
$12.74
$25.48
diesel
$5.61
$14.51
$29.01
Estimated Tolls: $4.67
New Jersey Turnpike
(33.4 mi)$4.67
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
$11
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
19.7
0
$6.90
$3.15
Efficient EV
16.4
0
$5.75
$2.63
EV Truck/SUV
26.3
0
$9.20
$4.20
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Cedar Glen Lakes, NJ
Morning
in Cedar Glen Lakes on Sunday
Local time
11:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Newark, NJ
Morning
in Newark on Sunday
Local time
11:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Scattered Rain Showers then Partly Cloudy
E 2 to 9 mph31% chanceLive forecast
71°F
New Brunswick, NJ
33 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
12 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 35m 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...
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 65.7
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...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 58.9
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...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 61.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 81% of it on higher-speed roads. You'll experience the longest uninterrupted stretch of 33.4 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike, which sets the pace for much of the journey. While it features some sections on CR 539 and Sharon Station Road, the overall character leans towards efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways. Prepare for a driving experience characterized by steady progress and consistent road conditions for most of the 1 hour and 35-minute duration.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 33.4 mi on New Jersey Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and CR 539. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 59.6 miles in.
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 65.7 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 59.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 63 miles (NJ 21): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cedar Glen Lakes, NJ and Newark, NJ, road signs point toward Newark Airport and Elizabeth Seaport.
Newark is New Jersey's largest city and second largest in Metro New York. Although one of the great historic cities of the Northeast and the most culture-rich city in the state, Newark is often overlooked in favor of Goliath-like Manhattan and towns along the Hudson River, such as Jersey City and Hoboken. While no longer the industrial powerhouse it once was, Newark remains one of America's major shipping, rail, and air hubs. Public transportation is abundant, making it easy to get to, from, and around the city.
Newark has been economically disadvantaged for some time, and suffers from a bad reputation, often informed by negative stereotyping. Thanks in large part to a nationally high-profile mayor (Cory Booker, now a U.S.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 35m. Total distance: 65.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 33.4 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.67 in tolls one way, starting with New Jersey Turnpike. 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.
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 Newark, 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 59.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 63 miles (NJ 21): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area (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 Newark, NJ before heading back.
