This 65.5-mile drive from Fort Lee, NJ, to Trenton, NJ, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey designed for a single day. Expect the trip to take about 1 hour and 33 minutes, making it an easy one-day excursion. You'll primarily be on the New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur and US 1, with a brief stint on the Trenton Freeway. The estimated fuel cost is around $11, which is quite manageable. Given its short duration and highway-centric profile, this route is perfect for a quick transit or a day trip without needing an overnight stay. Both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region of the US.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
32.8 miles from Fort Lee, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
31.6 mi
39m
US 1
21 mi
29m
Trenton Freeway
3 mi
4m
North Olden Avenue
1.4 mi
2m
Central Boulevard
0.9 mi
1m
Brunswick Pike
0.9 mi
1m
Palisade Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Hamilton Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
— 31.6 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Lee, NJ and Trenton, NJ.
1
Start on NJ 67
0.4 mi·37 sec·Lemoine Avenue
2
Continue on NJ 67
0.6 mi·1 min·Palisade Avenue
3
Turn slight right onto Central Boulevard
0.9 mi·1 min·Central Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left onto 5th Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·5th Street
5
Take the ramp
494 ft·12 sec
Toward US 46 West
6
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.9 mi·1 min·US 1; US 9; US 46
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 95 South, I 80 West: NJ Turnpike, Teaneck RoadUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
340 ft·8 sec
Toward I 95 South, I 80 West: NJ TurnpikeUse the slight left lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·2 min
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: NewarkUse the straight lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·49 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: TrentonUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
2.0 mi·2 min·New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·43 sec
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
13
Merge onto I 95
7.4 mi·10 min·New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; NJTP
22 mi·27 min·New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 9Toward NJ 18 East, US 1 East: New BrunswickUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick, Rutgers UniversityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
323 ft·7 sec
Toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick, Rutgers University
18
Merge onto NJ 18; CR 527
0.4 mi·51 sec·State Route 18
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward US 1 South: Princeton, Trenton
20
Merge onto US 1
2.4 mi·3 min·US 1
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on US 1
0.1 mi·9 sec·US 1
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
276 ft·4 sec·US 1
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
387 ft·6 sec·US 1
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
3.6 mi·5 min·US 1
25
Continue on US 1
14 mi·19 min·US 1
Use the straight lane.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Use the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·31 sec
28
Merge onto US 1
0.9 mi·1 min·Brunswick Pike
29
Continue on US 1
3.0 mi·4 min·Trenton Freeway
30
Take the exit
474 ft·14 sec
Toward Olden Avenue, New York AvenueUse the slight right lane.
31
At end of road, turn left onto New York Avenue
481 ft·14 sec·New York Avenue
32
Turn left onto CR 622
1.4 mi·2 min·North Olden Avenue
Use the left lane.
33
Turn right onto CR 606
0.6 mi·1 min·Hamilton Avenue
34
Turn right onto CR 626
6 ft·0 sec·Chambers Street
35
Arrive at destination
CR 626
Trip Plan
To make the most of this relatively short 65.5-mile trip, consider departing early to avoid potential commuter traffic around Fort Lee and Trenton. Since the drive is just over an hour and a half, you won't need to plan for extensive stops, but keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 31.6-mile stretch on the New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur. A quick check of traffic conditions before you leave Fort Lee will be beneficial. The $11 fuel cost suggests you won't need to worry about frequent refueling.
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 32.8 miles from Fort Lee, NJ, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.6 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 14 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 32.8 miles or 44m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Trenton, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fort Lee, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fort Lee, NJ
This is one driving day of about 65.5 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Fort Lee, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur for about 31.6 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 29
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 37.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
3.3 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, I 80 West: NJ Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 95 South, I 80 West: NJ Turnpike
8
3.4 mi into trip|~6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Newark
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Newark
8
4.3 mi into trip|~8m 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 slight right lane.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
8
37.1 mi into trip|~50m in
Take the exit toward NJ 18 East, US 1 East: 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 East, US 1 East: New Brunswick
8
37.8 mi into trip|~51m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.86 one way
$21.72 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg23 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$11.89
$23.79
premium
$4.93
$12.70
$25.41
diesel
$5.61
$14.46
$28.92
Estimated Tolls: $4.43
New Jersey Turnpike
(31.6 mi)$4.43
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
$11
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
19.7
0
$6.88
$3.14
Efficient EV
16.4
0
$5.73
$2.62
EV Truck/SUV
26.2
0
$9.17
$4.19
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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 19, 2026
Origin
Fort Lee, NJ
Late night
in Fort Lee on Sunday
Local time
12:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Trenton, NJ
Late night
in Trenton on Sunday
Local time
12:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Mostly Cloudy then Areas Of Fog
SE 5 to 10 mph26% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued April 18 at 9:05PM EDT until April 21 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
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
2 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 33m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Thomas Edison National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Today, the brick buildings on Main Street in West Orange, NJ seem quiet, betraying little evidence of the research, development, and innovation of their heyday. Visitors can step back in time to Thoma...
Silk cloth and steam locomotives; textiles and continuous paper rolls; firearms and aircraft engines. What do these things have in common? All were manufactured in the same place - Paterson, NJ. In 17...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 6.8
Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...
15 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 18.1
Morristown National Historical Park commemorates the sites of General Washington and the Continental Army’s winter encampment from December 1779 to June 1780, where soldiers survived the coldest winte...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 22.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 85% of the journey on high-speed roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 31.6 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur, offering a consistent pace. While mainly on the turnpike and freeway sections, the inclusion of US 1 introduces a slight variation, though the overall character remains efficient and direct. This isn't a route for leisurely sightseeing, but rather for making good time and covering ground effectively.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 31.6 mi on New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur and US 1. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 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 65.5 miles you will encounter 29 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 3.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Fort Lee, NJ and Trenton, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp South: Newark, Njtp South: Trenton and Rutgers University.
Trenton is in Mercer County, and is the capital of New Jersey. The city's strategic location in between New York City and Philadelphia has historically contributed to its growth and significantly impacts local culture. Located on the Delaware River across from Pennsylvania, Trenton is the only accessible capital city in the United States to border another state.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 65.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 31.6 miles on New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.43 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 Trenton, 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 3.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Paterson Great Falls 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 Trenton, NJ before heading back.
