This 64.2-mile drive from High Bridge to Lakewood, New Jersey, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete. You'll spend about 85% of your time on highways, making it a focused journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $11, this trip is budget-friendly. The route primarily utilizes US Highway 9, Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway, and State Route 18, offering a straightforward transit through the Northeast region of New Jersey. Given its relatively short duration, it's an ideal day trip without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
32.1 miles from High Bridge, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US Highway 9
18.7 mi
28m
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
12.2 mi
14m
State Route 18
10.5 mi
16m
I 287
10.4 mi
11m
River Road
3.2 mi
5m
John A. Lynch Memorial Bridge
2.5 mi
3m
Route 31 (CR 513)
2 mi
2m
West Main Street
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US Highway 9
— 18.7 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between High Bridge, NJ and Lakewood, NJ.
1
Start on CR 513
335 ft·10 sec·Bridge Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto CR 513
1.1 mi·1 min·West Main Street
3
Turn left onto NJ 31; CR 513
2.0 mi·2 min·Route 31 (CR 513)
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Take the exit onto ramp to I-78/US 22 East
0.3 mi·36 sec·ramp to I-78/US 22 East
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Newark
5
Merge onto I 78; US 22
12 mi·14 min·Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
6
Take the exit onto Ramp to I-287
0.5 mi·35 sec·Ramp to I-287
Exit 29Toward I 287: Morristown, SomervilleUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi·54 sec
Toward I 287 South: Somerville
8
Merge onto I 287
10 mi·11 min·I 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 9Toward River Road, Bound Brook, Highland ParkUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward Highland Park
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·26 sec
12
Turn straight onto CR 622
3.2 mi·5 min·River Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward NJ 18 South: New BrunswickUse the right lane.
14
Merge onto NJ 18
2.5 mi·3 min·John A. Lynch Memorial Bridge
15
Continue on NJ 18; CR 527
11 mi·16 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 30Toward US 9 South: FreeholdUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto US 9
19 mi·28 min·US Highway 9
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on US 9
1.0 mi·2 min·Madison Avenue
19
Turn left onto 8th Street
46 ft·2 sec·8th Street
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
8th Street
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 30-minute drive, leaving in the morning or mid-afternoon can help you avoid peak traffic. Since the total distance is only 64.2 miles and fuel costs are around $11, you have flexibility with your schedule and can make spontaneous stops if desired. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 18.7 miles on US Highway 9, so plan for a brief break before or after this section if needed. Keep an eye on traffic conditions, especially as you approach more populated areas in New Jersey.
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 32.1 miles from High Bridge, NJ, or about 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18.7 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 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 32.1 miles or 40m 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 15m
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 High Bridge, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from High Bridge, NJ
This is one driving day of about 64.2 miles and 1h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from High Bridge, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US Highway 9 for about 18.7 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 15.7 and 64.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
15.7 mi into trip|~19m in|Ramp to I-287
Take the exit onto Ramp to I-287 toward I 287: Morristown, 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 29
Toward I 287: Morristown, Somerville
8
27.3 mi into trip|~32m 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
6
27.5 mi into trip|~33m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Highland Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Highland Park
7
44.1 mi into trip|~59m 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
6
64.2 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|8th Street
Turn left onto 8th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.64 one way
$21.29 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg23 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$11.66
$23.31
premium
$4.93
$12.45
$24.90
diesel
$5.61
$14.17
$28.35
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 64% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
19.3
0
$6.74
$3.08
Efficient EV
16.1
0
$5.62
$2.57
EV Truck/SUV
25.7
0
$8.99
$4.11
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
High Bridge, NJ
Morning
in High Bridge on Sunday
Local time
6:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lakewood, NJ
Morning
in Lakewood on Sunday
Local time
6:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
63°F
Edison, NJ
32 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
28 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 30m 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.
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 15.5
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
~56 min detour
$10
near mile 28.8
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...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 44.3
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 drive for most of this 64.2-mile journey, with 85% of the route on major roadways. You'll experience a longest stretch of 18.7 miles on US Highway 9, offering a consistent pace. The Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway and State Route 18 also contribute to the predominantly fast-paced nature of this trip. This route is less about winding scenic roads and more about efficient travel between your starting point in High Bridge and your destination in Lakewood.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 18.7 mi on US Highway 9.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 9 and Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 15.7 miles in near Ramp to I-287.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 64.2 miles you will encounter 16 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 15.7 miles (Ramp to I-287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between High Bridge, NJ and Lakewood, NJ, road signs point toward Somerville, Bound Brook and Highland Park.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 30m. Total distance: 64.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 30m 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 18.7 miles on US Highway 9. 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.
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 15.7 miles (Ramp to I-287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Morristown National Historical Park, Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area. 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.
