Origin
Fairfield, NJ
Morning in Fairfield on Sunday
Local time
6:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fairfield, NJ to Jersey City, NJ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
29m
Distance
22.6 mi
36 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 27m
★
6 AM
0h 30m
8 AM
0h 35m
10 AM
0h 32m
12 PM
0h 31m
3 PM
0h 32m
5 PM
0h 35m
8 PM
0h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairfield, NJ
Aisling Kerr
Trip Overview
This straightforward 22.6-mile drive from Fairfield, NJ, to Jersey City, NJ, is easily manageable in just about 29 minutes, making it perfect for a single-day trip. You'll primarily be on major roads like NJ 3 and US 46, with a significant portion of your journey focused on highway driving. With an estimated fuel cost of only $4, this route is quite budget-friendly. Given its short duration and minimal stops, you won't need to worry about an overnight stay. This trip stays within the Northeast region, offering a quick connection between two New Jersey locales.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NJ 3 | 10.9 mi | 12m |
| US 46 | 6.2 mi | 7m |
| Tonnelle Avenue | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| Hollywood Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| John F. Kennedy Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Duncan Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Craig Place | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Olean Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
NJ 3
— 10.9 mi, about 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfield, NJ and Jersey City, NJ.
1
Start on Alan Drive
183 ft
·
10 sec
·
Alan Drive
2
Turn right onto Craig Place
355 ft
·
17 sec
·
Craig Place
3
Turn right onto CR 625
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Hollywood Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
5
Merge onto US 46
4.6 mi
·
5 min
·
US 46
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on US 46
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 46
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Turn slight left onto NJ 3
11 mi
·
12 min
·
NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 1; US 9
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Tonnelle Avenue
Toward NJ 139 East, US 1 South, US 9 South: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel, Tonnele Avenue, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn right onto CR 501
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
John F. Kennedy Boulevard
11
Turn right onto Duncan Avenue
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Duncan Avenue
12
Turn right onto Olean Avenue
316 ft
·
13 sec
·
Olean Avenue
13
Arrive at destination
Olean Avenue
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 22.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Craig Place
Turn right onto Craig Place
Navigation decision point
3
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CR 625 / Hollywood Avenue
Turn right onto CR 625 / Hollywood Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
1.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
US 46
Merge onto US 46
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
20.9 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
US 1; US 9 / Tonnelle Avenue
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9 / Tonnelle Avenue toward NJ 139 East, US 1 South, US 9 South: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel, Tonnele Avenue, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward NJ 139 East, US 1 South, US 9 South: Hob...
5
22.5 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
Olean Avenue
Turn right onto Olean Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$3.75 one way
$7.49 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $4.10 | $8.21 |
| premium | $4.93 | $4.38 | $8.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.99 | $9.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.8 | 0 | $2.37 | $1.08 |
| Efficient EV | 5.7 | 0 | $1.98 | $0.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9 | 0 | $3.16 | $1.45 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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
Jersey City, NJ
Morning in Jersey City on Sunday
Local time
6:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°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
21 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
29m 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 for about 76% of this 22.6-mile journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 10.9 miles on NJ 3, providing a consistent pace for a good portion of your travel. You'll navigate through a mix of main roads including NJ 3, US 46, and Tonnelle Avenue, which means the road character will shift from flowing highway to more arterial urban routes as you get closer to your destination. It’s a drive characterized by efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 10.9 mi on NJ 3.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NJ 3 and US 46. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Craig Place.
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 22.6 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: near the start (Craig Place): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (CR 625 / Hollywood Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (US 46): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Fairfield, NJ to Jersey City, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Pulaski Skyway along the way.
Pulaski Skyway
20.9 mi in
|
~26m
|
via US 1; US 9
About the Cities
Arriving in Jersey City, NJ
Full guide →Jersey City is New Jersey's second-largest city. Jersey City sits in Hudson County in the northeastern section of the state, across the Hudson from its older and bigger cousin, New York City, and south of Hoboken. It is frequently referred to as New York’s “sixth borough”. Until the early 1600s, the area was inhabited by Lenape Indians. The Dutch then settled here as a part of the colony of New Amsterdam. It evolved into an industrial powerhouse, with railroads winding up and down the city (some of these lines are still used today). Although Jersey City declined in the 1960s, an upswing began in the 1980s, and the city was transformed into what it is today.
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 29m. Total distance: 22.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 10.9 miles on NJ 3. 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 Jersey City, 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: near the start (Craig Place): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (CR 625 / Hollywood Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (US 46): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Paterson Great Falls 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 Jersey City, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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