Origin
Dunellen, NJ
Late night in Dunellen on Sunday
Local time
3:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dunellen, NJ to Lakewood, NJ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 3m
Distance
41 mi
66 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 59m
★
6 AM
1h 4m
8 AM
1h 14m
10 AM
1h 7m
12 PM
1h 6m
3 PM
1h 8m
5 PM
1h 13m
8 PM
1h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dunellen, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Lakewood, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick trip from Dunellen to Lakewood, expect a straightforward journey covering 41 miles across the Northeast. You can easily complete this drive in about 1 hour and 3 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. Budgeting approximately $7 for fuel will keep your tank ready for the transition between these two New Jersey communities. Since the total travel time is quite short, you will not need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you have additional plans in the area. This route is highly practical for travelers looking for an efficient connection without the hassle of a multi-day itinerary.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 9 | 18.7 mi | 28m |
| State Route 18 | 10.5 mi | 16m |
| Hoes Lane | 6 mi | 7m |
| Possumtown Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Bound Brook Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| Madison Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| Lincoln Boulevard | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Lincoln Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 9
— 18.7 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dunellen, NJ and Lakewood, NJ.
1
Start on Dunellen Avenue
140 ft
·
12 sec
·
Dunellen Avenue
2
Turn left onto Sanford Avenue
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
Sanford Avenue
3
At end of road, turn right onto NJ 28
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Bound Brook Road
4
Turn left onto CR 607
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Lincoln Avenue
5
Continue on CR 607
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Lincoln Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Turn left onto Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Cedar Avenue
7
Continue on Possumtown Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Possumtown Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
At end of road, turn left onto NJ 18
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
Centennial Avenue
Use the left lane.
9
Turn right onto NJ 18
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Old New Brunswick Road
Use the right lane.
10
Continue on NJ 18
6.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Hoes Lane
11
Continue on NJ 18; CR 527
11 mi
·
16 min
·
State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 30
Toward US 9 South: Freehold
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto US 9
19 mi
·
28 min
·
US Highway 9
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 9
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Madison Avenue
15
Turn left onto 8th Street
46 ft
·
2 sec
·
8th Street
Use the left lane.
16
Arrive at destination
8th Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.5 miles from Dunellen, 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 95 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 41 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
NJ 28 / Bound Brook Road
At end of road, turn right onto NJ 28 / Bound Brook Road
Navigation decision point
5
4 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
NJ 18 / Centennial Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto NJ 18 / Centennial Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
21 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Take the exit toward US 9 South: Freehold
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 30
Toward US 9 South: Freehold
5
21.4 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
US 9 / US Highway 9
Merge onto US 9 / US Highway 9
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
41 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
|
8th Street
Turn left onto 8th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.80 one way
$13.59 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $7.44 | $14.89 |
| premium | $4.93 | $7.95 | $15.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.05 | $18.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.31 | $1.97 |
| Efficient EV | 10.3 | 0 | $3.59 | $1.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.4 | 0 | $5.74 | $2.62 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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.
Destination
Lakewood, NJ
Late night in Lakewood on Sunday
Local time
3:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph
3% chance
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
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 3m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive relies heavily on major arteries, with 71% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will navigate a mix of thoroughfares, primarily utilizing US Highway 9, State Route 18, and Hoes Lane to reach your destination. Be prepared for a consistent pace, as your longest uninterrupted stretch spans 18.7 miles while cruising along US Highway 9. The experience is designed for direct travel rather than leisurely winding, so you can expect a functional drive that prioritizes speed and efficiency over complex terrain changes.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 18.7 mi on US Highway 9.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 9 and State Route 18. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near NJ 28 / Bound Brook Road.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 41 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.1 miles (NJ 28 / Bound Brook Road): Navigation decision point; at 4 miles (NJ 18 / Centennial Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 21 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
153 ft
16 ft
Total Climb
373 ft
Total Descent
355 ft
Highest Point
153 ft
~29.3 mi in
Elevation Range
137 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 3m. Total distance: 41 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 18.7 miles on US Highway 9. 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 Lakewood, 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 0.1 miles (NJ 28 / Bound Brook Road): Navigation decision point; at 4 miles (NJ 18 / Centennial Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 21 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Morristown National Historical Park, Thomas Edison 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 Lakewood, 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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