Origin
Freehold, NJ
Morning in Freehold on Sunday
Local time
8:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Freehold, 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
1h
Distance
41.2 mi
66 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 55m
★
6 AM
1h 0m
8 AM
1h 10m
10 AM
1h 4m
12 PM
1h 3m
3 PM
1h 4m
5 PM
1h 9m
8 PM
0h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Freehold, NJ
Aisling Kerr
Trip Overview
This straightforward 41.2-mile drive from Freehold, NJ, to Jersey City, NJ, is easily manageable in about 1 hour, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily use the New Jersey Turnpike and US Highway 9, with a portion on NJ 18. The journey is predominantly highway-focused, accounting for 78% of the route. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $7, this is a budget-friendly excursion. Both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region, so you won't be crossing major geographical divides. This trip is ideal for a quick transfer or a short excursion without the need for an overnight stay.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike | 14 mi | 17m |
| US Highway 9 | 7 mi | 9m |
| NJ 18 | 5 mi | 5m |
| Garden State Parkway | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| South Main Street | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Lincoln Highway | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Marlboro Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 14 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Freehold, NJ and Jersey City, NJ.
1
Start on NJ 79; CR 537
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
West Main Street
2
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 79
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Broadway Road
3
Continue on NJ 79
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Marlboro Road
4
Continue on NJ 79
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto NJ 18
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
NJ 18
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 30
Toward US 9 North: The Amboys, New York
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto US 9
7.0 mi
·
9 min
·
US Highway 9
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward GSP North: Garden State Parkway
10
Merge onto GSP
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Garden State Parkway
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 129
Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Trenton
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
13
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
14
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
this road
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
16
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
14 mi
·
17 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
17
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
Exit 15E
Toward US 1 North Truck, US 9 North Truck: Newark, Jersey City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
322 ft
·
7 sec
Toward US 1 Truck North, US 9 Truck North: Jersey City, Doremus Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward US 1 North Truck, US 9 North Truck: Jersey City
21
Merge onto US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Lincoln Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit onto US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
Toward US 1 Truck North, US 9 Truck North
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto Duncan Avenue
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
Duncan Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Turn left onto Olean Avenue
316 ft
·
13 sec
·
Olean Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
Olean Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.6 miles from Freehold, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 8.9 and 38.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
8.9 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward US 9 North: The Amboys, New York
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 30
Toward US 9 North: The Amboys, New York
8
21.2 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Take the exit toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Trenton
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 129
Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Trenton
8
37.9 mi into trip
|
~53m in
Take the exit toward US 1 North Truck, US 9 North Truck: Newark, Jersey City
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 15E
Toward US 1 North Truck, US 9 North Truck: Newa...
8
38.3 mi into trip
|
~54m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 1 Truck North, US 9 Truck North: Jersey City, Doremus Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 1 Truck North, US 9 Truck North: Jers...
7
38.3 mi into trip
|
~54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 1 North Truck, US 9 North Truck: Jersey City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 1 North Truck, US 9 North Truck: Jers...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.83 one way
$13.66 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $7.48 | $14.96 |
| premium | $4.93 | $7.99 | $15.98 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.10 | $18.19 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.38
New Jersey Turnpike
(15.1 mi)
$2.11
Garden State Parkway
(4.6 mi)
$0.27
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Tolls
$2
Total
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.4 | 0 | $4.33 | $1.98 |
| Efficient EV | 10.3 | 0 | $3.61 | $1.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.5 | 0 | $5.77 | $2.64 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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
8:01 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
4 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 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 drive for the majority of this 41.2-mile trip, with 78% of the route being on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 14 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike, offering a consistent pace. While the New Jersey Turnpike and US Highway 9 provide efficient travel, be prepared for typical highway traffic patterns. NJ 18 adds a slight variation to the road's personality before you reach your destination in Jersey City. This route prioritizes getting you there efficiently rather than offering winding scenic byways.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 14 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 US Highway 9. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 41.2 miles you will encounter 19 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 8.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37.9 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Freehold, NJ and Jersey City, NJ, road signs point toward New York, Njtp: New York City, Trenton and Njtp North: New York City.
New York
8.9 mi in
|
~12m
Njtp: New York City
21.2 mi in
|
~30m
Trenton
21.2 mi in
|
~30m
Njtp North: New York City
22.2 mi in
|
~33m
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 1h. Total distance: 41.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 14 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.38 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 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: at 8.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 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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