Spanning 84.7 miles through the Northeast, this drive from Elmer to Edison is a straightforward journey typically taking 1 hour and 49 minutes. Because the trip is short and efficient, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $14 for fuel to complete the trip. Navigating through New Jersey, you will rely primarily on the New Jersey Turnpike, the Veterans Memorial Highway, and Buck Road. It is a practical, highway-focused route that gets you between these two points with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.4 miles from Elmer, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
56.8 mi
1h 5m
Veterans Memorial Highway
12.9 mi
15m
Buck Road
4 mi
5m
Harding Highway
1.7 mi
2m
US 1
1.6 mi
2m
Plainfield Avenue
1.3 mi
3m
Black Horse Pike
0.8 mi
1m
West Clements Bridge Road
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 56.8 mi, about 1h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elmer, NJ and Edison, NJ.
1
Start on US 40
431 ft·7 sec·Front Street
2
Continue on US 40
1.7 mi·2 min·Harding Highway
3
Turn left onto CR 553
4.0 mi·5 min·Buck Road
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward NJ 55 North: BellmawrUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto NJ 55
13 mi·15 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto Exit 58
0.3 mi·29 sec·Exit 58
Exit 58Toward Deptford, AlmonessonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on Deptford Center Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Deptford Center Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
8
Turn left onto NJ 41
0.7 mi·1 min·Hurffville Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Continue on NJ 41; CR 544
0.3 mi·45 sec·Clements Bridge Road
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 41
0.8 mi·1 min·West Clements Bridge Road
11
Turn left onto NJ 168
0.8 mi·1 min·Black Horse Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward NJTP North: New YorkUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto NJTP
23 mi·26 min·New Jersey Turnpike
15
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP
34 mi·38 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 9Toward NJ 18, US 1: New BrunswickUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick, Rutgers UniversityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
323 ft·7 sec
Toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick, Rutgers University
19
Merge onto NJ 18; CR 527
0.1 mi·14 sec·State Route 18
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward US 1 North: NewarkUse the left / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto US 1
0.9 mi·1 min·US 1
22
Continue on US 1
0.2 mi·16 sec·US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on US 1
0.2 mi·19 sec·US 1
Use the right lane.
24
Continue on US 1
0.4 mi·34 sec·US 1
25
Turn right
462 ft·39 sec
26
At end of road, turn left onto CR 529
1.3 mi·3 min·Plainfield Avenue
27
Turn left onto Central Avenue
345 ft·17 sec·Central Avenue
28
Turn right onto Reed Street
523 ft·28 sec·Reed Street
29
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. With no mandatory stops required for a drive of under two hours, you can easily complete the journey in one go. Keep an eye on traffic patterns when merging onto the New Jersey Turnpike, as this remains your longest continuous segment. Because you aren't planning for overnight stays, focus your preparation on ensuring your fuel tank is ready for the $14 estimated cost. Aim to leave during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the Turnpike's busiest sections.
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 42.4 miles from Elmer, NJ, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.8 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 19 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.4 miles or 55m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Edison, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Elmer, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Elmer, NJ
This is one driving day of about 84.7 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Elmer, 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 56.8 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 19.1 and 81.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
19.1 mi into trip|~24m in|Exit 58
Take the exit onto Exit 58 toward Deptford, Almonesson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 58
Toward Deptford, Almonesson
7
22.8 mi into trip|~32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJTP North: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJTP North: New York
8
80.2 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward NJ 18, US 1: New 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.
Exit 9
Toward NJ 18, US 1: New Brunswick
8
80.9 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick, Rutgers University
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick, Rutgers Univ...
7
81.1 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick, Rutgers University
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick, Rutgers Univ...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.04 one way
$28.08 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$15.38
$30.76
premium
$4.93
$16.43
$32.85
diesel
$5.61
$18.70
$37.40
Estimated Tolls: $7.96
New Jersey Turnpike
(56.8 mi)$7.96
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
$14
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.4
0
$8.89
$4.07
Efficient EV
21.2
0
$7.41
$3.39
EV Truck/SUV
33.9
0
$11.86
$5.42
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Elmer, NJ
Late night
in Elmer on Sunday
Local time
12:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Edison, NJ
Late night
in Edison on Sunday
Local time
12:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Bristol, PA
42 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
13 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 49m 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 drive defined by its efficiency, with 69% of the journey spent on major highways. You will experience a significant stretch of open road, specifically a 56.8-mile segment on the New Jersey Turnpike. While the route begins with local transit on Buck Road and transitions onto the Veterans Memorial Highway, the majority of your time behind the wheel will be spent in the rhythm of interstate travel. The personality of this drive is functional and direct, shifting from smaller local roads to the high-speed, controlled environment of the Turnpike.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56.8 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 Veterans Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.1 miles in near Exit 58.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 84.7 miles you will encounter 22 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 19.1 miles (Exit 58): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.2 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 Elmer, NJ and Edison, NJ, road signs point toward Deptford, Almonesson, Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike and Njtp North: New York.
Deptford
19.1 mi in|~24m|via Exit 58
Almonesson
19.1 mi in|~24m|via Exit 58
Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
22.5 mi in|~32m
Njtp North: New York
22.8 mi in|~32m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 49m. Total distance: 84.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 56.8 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $7.96 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 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 19.1 miles (Exit 58): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.2 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 Edison, NJ before heading back.
