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Trip from Delaware, NJ to Edison, NJ

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 17m

Distance

55.4 mi

89 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$9

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 19 min
4 AM
1h 11m ★
6 AM
1h 17m
8 AM
1h 30m
10 AM
1h 22m
12 PM
1h 20m
3 PM
1h 22m
5 PM
1h 29m
8 PM
1h 14m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Delaware, NJ, NJ

Delaware, NJ

Aisling Kerr

township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States

Edison, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Delaware to Edison covers 55.4 miles of New Jersey landscape, typically taking about 1 hour and 17 minutes. This straightforward journey is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, as it rarely requires more than a casual morning or afternoon behind the wheel. You can expect to spend approximately $9 on fuel for the trek, making it an economical choice for a quick regional excursion. The route primarily utilizes Route 31 South, I-287, and the Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway to navigate the Northeast corridor. Because the drive is short and efficient, there is no need for an overnight stay, allowing you the flexibility to complete your business or visit and return home within the same day.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Route 31 South BEGIN 16.9 mi 26m
I 287 14.4 mi 16m
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway 12.2 mi 14m
US 46 6.9 mi 10m
Stelton Road 2.1 mi 4m
Plainfield Avenue 0.8 mi 1m
Ramp to I-287 0.5 mi <1m
ramp to I-78/US 22 East 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Route 31 South BEGIN — 16.9 mi, about 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Delaware, NJ and Edison, NJ.

1

Start on Clinton Street

488 ft · 28 sec · Clinton Street
2

Turn left onto US 46

6.9 mi · 10 min · US 46
3

Turn right onto NJ 31

17 mi · 26 min · Route 31 South BEGIN
Use the straight lane.
4

Take the exit onto ramp to I-78/US 22 East

0.3 mi · 36 sec · ramp to I-78/US 22 East
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Newark
5

Merge onto I 78; US 22

12 mi · 14 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
6

Take the exit onto Ramp to I-287

0.5 mi · 35 sec · Ramp to I-287
Exit 29 Toward I 287: Morristown, Somerville Use the slight right lane.
7

Keep slight right at fork

0.8 mi · 54 sec
Toward I 287 South: Somerville
8

Merge onto I 287

14 mi · 16 min · I 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 5 Toward CR 529: Stelton Road, Edison, MVC Agency Use the slight right lane.
10

Keep slight right at fork

202 ft · 4 sec
Toward MVC Agency Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on CR 529

2.1 mi · 4 min · Stelton Road
Use the right lane.
12

Continue on CR 529

0.8 mi · 1 min · Plainfield Avenue
13

Turn right onto Central Avenue

345 ft · 17 sec · Central Avenue
14

Turn right onto Reed Street

523 ft · 28 sec · Reed Street
15

Arrive at destination

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Glen Gardner, NJ, NJ

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Glen Gardner, NJ

28 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

Glen Gardner, NJ to Edison, NJ

36.9 mi · 48m

Pacing Suggestions

Washington, NJ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lebanon, NJ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 27.7 miles from Delaware, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 23.9 and 52.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
23.9 mi into trip | ~37m in | ramp to I-78/US 22 East

Take the exit onto ramp to I-78/US 22 East toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Newark

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Newark
8
36.3 mi into trip | ~52m in | Ramp to I-287

Take the exit onto Ramp to I-287 toward I 287: Morristown, Somerville

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 29 Toward I 287: Morristown, Somerville
5
36.8 mi into trip | ~52m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 287 South: Somerville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 287 South: Somerville
8
52.1 mi into trip | ~1h 10m in

Take the exit toward CR 529: Stelton Road, Edison, MVC Agency

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 5 Toward CR 529: Stelton Road, Edison, MVC Agency
8
52.3 mi into trip | ~1h 10m in

Keep slight right at fork toward MVC Agency

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward MVC Agency

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$9.18 one way

$18.37 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 19 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $10.06 $20.12
premium $4.93 $10.74 $21.49
diesel $5.61 $12.23 $24.46

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$9

Estimated CO2 emission: 19.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 16.6 0 $5.82 $2.66
Efficient EV 13.9 0 $4.85 $2.22
EV Truck/SUV 22.2 0 $7.76 $3.55

Gas CO2

19 kg

EV CO2

6 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 20, 2026

Origin

Delaware, NJ

Morning in Delaware on Tuesday

Local time

8:10 AM

EDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Edison, NJ

Morning in Edison on Tuesday

Local time

8:10 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

19 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 17m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused experience, as 92% of this trip is spent on major thoroughfares designed for consistent movement. The drive begins with a 16.9-mile stretch on Route 31 South, which serves as the longest uninterrupted segment of your journey. As you transition onto I-287 and the Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway, the pace remains steady and fast-moving. You will find that the road maintains a predictable flow, prioritizing speed over local scenery. Behind the wheel, you should be prepared for a utilitarian experience that emphasizes getting you to Edison as efficiently as possible rather than offering a winding or technical driving experience.

92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 16.9 mi on Route 31 South BEGIN.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Route 31 South BEGIN and I 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.9 miles in near ramp to I-78/US 22 East.

Driving Effort 9/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 55.4 miles you will encounter 11 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 23.9 miles (ramp to I-78/US 22 East): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.3 miles (Ramp to I-287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

509 ft 51 ft

Total Climb

298 ft

Total Descent

500 ft

Highest Point

509 ft

~7.9 mi in

Elevation Range

458 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Delaware, NJ and Edison, NJ, road signs point toward Somerville and Mvc Agency.

Somerville

36.3 mi in | ~52m | via Ramp to I-287

Mvc Agency

52.1 mi in | ~1h 10m

About the Cities

Starting in Delaware, NJ

Full guide →

Delaware has beautiful beaches and parks. The more popular beaches are in: Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Dewey Beach and Bethany Beach. Most parks in Delaware's very extensive and well maintained park system are free or low-cost. The First State National Historical Park a group of historical sites that cover the early colonial history of Delaware and the role Delaware played in the establishment of the United States, leading up to it being the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. It is one of the smallest states in the United States. It has beautiful beaches, and activities vary from business-friendly Wilmington to the rural southern parts of the state.

Arriving in Edison, NJ

Full guide →

Edison is a city in Middlesex, New Jersey. The city is named after Thomas Alva Edison who carried out most of his life's work, including the invention of the phonograph and the lightbulb, here. Menlo Park, where Edison's laboratories were located has a Thomas Alva Edison Memorial Tower and Museum honoring him. The town of Edison now has a large concentration of Asians, and Oak Tree Road in Edison is the place to visit if you are looking for Indian food or Indian stores.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 17m. Total distance: 55.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 16.9 miles on Route 31 South BEGIN. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Edison, 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 23.9 miles (ramp to I-78/US 22 East): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.3 miles (Ramp to I-287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Yes — Morristown National Historical Park, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Thomas Edison 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 Edison, NJ before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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