Spanning 81 miles across New Jersey, this journey from Fredon to Lakewood typically takes about 2 hours and 5 minutes. Because the trip is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, eliminating the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $13 on fuel for the trek, making it a budget-friendly option for your travel plans. Since both your start and end points are located within the Northeast, you will remain in a familiar regional climate throughout the drive. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a quick getaway, the route is straightforward and efficient.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.5 miles from Fredon, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 206
27.5 mi
44m
US Highway 9
18.7 mi
28m
I 287
12 mi
13m
State Route 18
10.5 mi
16m
River Road
3.2 mi
5m
John A. Lynch Memorial Bridge
2.5 mi
3m
Willows Road
1.4 mi
3m
Christopher Columbus Highway
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 206
— 27.5 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fredon, NJ and Lakewood, NJ.
1
Start on NJ 94
0.4 mi·42 sec·NJ 94
2
Turn right onto CR 618
1.4 mi·3 min·Willows Road
3
Continue on CR 618
1.2 mi·2 min·Fredon - Springdale Road
4
Continue on CR 618
0.2 mi·27 sec·Fredon Road
5
Merge onto US 206
7.6 mi·13 min·US 206
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on US 206
0.8 mi·1 min·US 206
Use the left lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 206
0.7 mi·56 sec·US 206
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 206
0.6 mi·52 sec·US 206
9
Merge onto I 80; US 206
1.2 mi·1 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
10
Take the exit onto US 206
0.2 mi·24 sec·US 206
Exit 27A-BToward SH 183 North, US 206 South: Netcong, SomervilleUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 206
0.3 mi·32 sec·US 206
Toward US 206 South: SomervilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 206
17 mi·27 min·US 206
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 287 South: Somerville, PrincetonUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 287
1.3 mi·1 min·I 287
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 287
11 mi·12 min·I 287
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 9Toward River Road, Bound Brook, Highland ParkUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward Highland Park
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·26 sec
19
Turn straight onto CR 622
3.2 mi·5 min·River Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward NJ 18 South: New BrunswickUse the right lane.
21
Merge onto NJ 18
2.5 mi·3 min·John A. Lynch Memorial Bridge
22
Continue on NJ 18; CR 527
11 mi·16 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 30Toward US 9 South: FreeholdUse the slight right lane.
24
Merge onto US 9
19 mi·28 min·US Highway 9
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on US 9
1.0 mi·2 min·Madison Avenue
26
Turn left onto 8th Street
46 ft·2 sec·8th Street
Use the left lane.
27
Arrive at destination
8th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a non-stop, 2-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to hit the road outside of peak traffic hours to ensure you maintain that 2-hour and 5-minute estimate. Because there are no designated stops required, try to fuel up before you leave Fredon so you can complete the entire 81-mile journey without needing to pull over. If you find the highway pace tiring, remember that you have the freedom to adjust your speed or take a quick break whenever you need to stretch your legs. Keep a close eye on your GPS when switching between the three main highways to ensure you stay on track through the busier sections of the route.
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 40.5 miles from Fredon, NJ, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.5 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 18 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.5 miles or 1h 3m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakewood, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fredon, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fredon, NJ
This is one driving day of about 81 miles and 2h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Fredon, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 206 for about 27.5 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 14 and 60.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
14 mi into trip|~24m in|US 206
Take the exit onto US 206 toward SH 183 North, US 206 South: Netcong, Somerville
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 27A-B
Toward SH 183 North, US 206 South: Netcong, Som...
8
14.2 mi into trip|~25m in|US 206
Keep slight right at fork onto US 206 toward US 206 South: Somerville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 206 South: Somerville
7
31.9 mi into trip|~53m in
Take the exit toward I 287 South: Somerville, Princeton
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 I 287 South: Somerville, Princeton
8
44.1 mi into trip|~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward River Road, Bound Brook, Highland Park
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 River Road, Bound Brook, Highland Park
7
60.9 mi into trip|~1h 34m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.43 one way
$26.86 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$14.71
$29.42
premium
$4.93
$15.71
$31.42
diesel
$5.61
$17.88
$35.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.3
0
$8.50
$3.89
Efficient EV
20.3
0
$7.09
$3.24
EV Truck/SUV
32.4
0
$11.34
$5.18
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 17, 2026
Origin
Fredon, NJ
Late night
in Fredon on Sunday
Local time
12:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Cloudy
NW 5 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lakewood, NJ
Late night
in Lakewood on Sunday
Local time
12:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Scattered Rain Showers
N 5 to 10 mph35% chanceLive forecast
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
19 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
2h 5m 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.
Morristown National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 27.9
Park Closure: Partial Reopening: Cross Estate Gardens
Situated within the most densely populated region of the United States, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides a unique opportunity to experience tranquil landscapes, rich human history,...
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
$10
near mile 44.7
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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 61.4
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 85% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on major roads. Your route utilizes a combination of US 206, I-287, and US Highway 9 to navigate between these two New Jersey hubs. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 27.5-mile segment along US 206, which allows for consistent cruising. While the drive is predominantly fast-paced, the transition between these primary arteries keeps the trip moving steadily. You will find that the road maintains a predictable, high-speed personality for the majority of the duration.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27.5 mi on US 206.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 206 and US Highway 9. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14 miles in near US 206.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 81 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 14 miles (US 206): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.2 miles (US 206): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.9 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 Fredon, NJ and Lakewood, NJ, road signs point toward Sh 183 North, Somerville, Princeton, Bound Brook and Highland Park.
Sh 183 North
14 mi in|~24m|via US 206
Somerville
14 mi in|~24m|via US 206
Princeton
31.9 mi in|~53m
Bound Brook
44.1 mi in|~1h 7m
Highland Park
44.1 mi in|~1h 7m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 5m. Total distance: 81 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 5m 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 27.5 miles on US 206. 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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 14 miles (US 206): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.2 miles (US 206): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Morristown National Historical Park, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Thomas Edison National Historical Park (5 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.
