Traveling from Edison to Jefferson covers 79 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 38 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trip within New Jersey, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $13 for fuel to complete the journey. The route primarily utilizes the New Jersey Turnpike, US 1, and Swedesboro Road to navigate through the Northeast region. It is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that connects two distinct parts of the state efficiently. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick getaway, the trip is manageable and predictable for most drivers.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.5 miles from Edison, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
70 mi
1h 20m
Swedesboro Road
3 mi
5m
US 1
1.7 mi
2m
Plainfield Avenue
1.2 mi
2m
Bridgeton Pike
1 mi
1m
State Route 18
0.6 mi
1m
Reed Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
North Main Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 70 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Edison, NJ and Jefferson, NJ.
1
Start on this road
175 ft·12 sec·this road
2
Continue on Reed Street
348 ft·20 sec·Reed Street
3
Turn left onto Central Avenue
345 ft·18 sec·Central Avenue
4
Turn right onto CR 529
1.2 mi·2 min·Plainfield Avenue
5
Turn right onto US 1
1.7 mi·2 min·US 1
Use the right lane.
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward NJ 18: New Brunswick, East BrunswickUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·20 sec
Toward NJ 18 South: East Brunswick, Old BridgeUse the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto NJ 18; CR 527
0.6 mi·1 min·State Route 18
Use the right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward NJTP Toll, I 95 Toll: New Jersey TurnpikeUse the right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
225 ft·5 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: TrentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
31 mi·36 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP
39 mi·44 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Toward NJTP South: Camden, Wilmington
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 2Toward US 322: Swedesboro, GlassboroUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn slight right
173 ft·7 sec
Toward US 322 East: Glassboro
16
Merge onto US 322; CR 536
3.0 mi·5 min·Swedesboro Road
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto NJ 45
347 ft·5 sec·North Main Street
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on NJ 45
1.0 mi·1 min·Bridgeton Pike
19
Arrive at destination
NJ 45
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 1-hour and 38-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, given the heavy reliance on the New Jersey Turnpike, it is wise to check for traffic congestion before you head out to ensure your travel time remains consistent. You won't need to plan for formal stops along the way, though keeping your fuel tank topped off will keep your $13 estimated cost predictable. Since the longest stretch covers 70 miles, make sure you are comfortable with sustained highway speeds before merging onto the Turnpike. Use this efficiency to your advantage by planning your arrival in Jefferson for maximum daylight or productivity.
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 39.5 miles from Edison, NJ, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70 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 17 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.5 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jefferson, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Edison, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Edison, NJ
This is one driving day of about 79 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Edison, 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 70 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 3 and 74.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the exit toward NJ 18: New Brunswick, East Brunswick
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 NJ 18: New Brunswick, East Brunswick
9
3.2 mi into trip|~6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 18 South: East Brunswick, Old Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward NJ 18 South: East Brunswick, Old Bridge
7
3.9 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the exit toward NJTP Toll, I 95 Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward NJTP Toll, I 95 Toll: New Jersey Turnpik...
8
4.3 mi into trip|~9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
8
74.7 mi into trip|~1h 30m in
Take the exit toward US 322: Swedesboro, Glassboro
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 2
Toward US 322: Swedesboro, Glassboro
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.10 one way
$26.19 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$14.34
$28.69
premium
$4.93
$15.32
$30.64
diesel
$5.61
$17.44
$34.88
Estimated Tolls: $9.80
New Jersey Turnpike
(70 mi)$9.80
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
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.7
0
$8.30
$3.79
Efficient EV
19.8
0
$6.91
$3.16
EV Truck/SUV
31.6
0
$11.06
$5.06
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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Edison, NJ
Late night
in Edison on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jefferson, NJ
Late night
in Jefferson on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Bristol, PA
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
8 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 38m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed experience, as 92% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on the New Jersey Turnpike, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 70 miles. The transition from the heavily trafficked corridors near Edison into the more northern reaches of the state defines the character of this drive. While the majority of the trip is an interstate grind, the final segments involve navigating local roads like Swedesboro Road. Prepare for a consistent, fast-paced rhythm that shifts only as you near your destination in Jefferson.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70 mi on New Jersey Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and Swedesboro Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3 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 79 miles you will encounter 15 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 3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Edison, NJ and Jefferson, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp South: Trenton, Njtp South: Camden, Wilmington and Glassboro.
Njtp South: Trenton
4.3 mi in|~9m
Njtp South: Camden
36.1 mi in|~46m|via NJTP
Wilmington
36.1 mi in|~46m|via NJTP
Glassboro
74.7 mi in|~1h 30m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 79 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 70 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.80 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 Jefferson, 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 3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Jefferson, NJ before heading back.
