If you are planning a trip from Highland Lake to Middletown, expect a straightforward journey covering 80.3 miles. You should set aside approximately 1 hour and 38 minutes of drive time to complete the transit. Given the duration and distance, this is easily manageable as a single-day outing, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Budgeting about $13 for fuel will keep your vehicle powered for the duration of the trip. Since both locations are situated within the Northeast, you will remain in the same geographic region throughout your travel. This route is a practical choice for those who prefer navigating local roads over navigating complex highway systems.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.5 miles from Highland Lake, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
29.1 mi
38m
NJ 23
20 mi
23m
Canistear Road
7 mi
16m
Garden State Parkway Southbound
6.2 mi
8m
NJ 35
5.3 mi
8m
US 46
3.7 mi
4m
NJ 3
1.3 mi
1m
New Monmouth Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 29.1 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Highland Lake, NJ and Middletown, NJ.
1
Start on Glen Road
0.1 mi·39 sec·Glen Road
2
Turn left onto Lakeside Drive East
0.2 mi·54 sec·Lakeside Drive East
3
Turn left onto Coon Den Road
0.1 mi·45 sec·Coon Den Road
4
Turn left onto Lookover Lane
310 ft·20 sec·Lookover Lane
5
At end of road, turn right onto Canistear Road
7.0 mi·16 min·Canistear Road
6
Turn left onto NJ 23
14 mi·16 min·NJ 23
7
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 23
6.2 mi·7 min·NJ 23
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
297 ft·7 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 46 East: New York, Clifton
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward US 46 East: Clifton
10
Merge onto US 46
2.1 mi·2 min·US 46
11
Continue on US 46
1.6 mi·1 min·US 46
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn slight left onto NJ 3
1.3 mi·1 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto ramp to GSP Southbound
0.3 mi·36 sec·ramp to GSP Southbound
Toward GSP Toll SouthUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto GSP
22 mi·30 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on Garden State Parkway
6.2 mi·8 min·Garden State Parkway Southbound
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi·49 sec·Garden State Parkway
17
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
6.6 mi·7 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 117Toward NJ 35, NJ 36 South: Hazlet, KeyportUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
165 ft·4 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward NJ 35: HazletUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto NJ 35
5.3 mi·8 min·NJ 35
22
Turn right onto CR 50
0.3 mi·31 sec·New Monmouth Road
23
At end of road, turn right onto CR 50
0.2 mi·20 sec·Kings Highway
24
Arrive at destination
CR 50
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule to avoid peak local traffic. There are no mandatory stops scheduled, though you should plan your own breaks as needed since the route is entirely local. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the drive makes it important to stay alert and follow navigation closely to avoid missing turns on smaller roads. Because you are avoiding highways, your fuel efficiency may differ from standard interstate driving, so keep that $13 fuel budget in mind as a baseline. A helpful tip for this specific route is to double-check your GPS settings to ensure you are comfortable navigating the local roads of Highland Lake and Middletown before you pull out of your driveway.
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 37.5 miles from Highland Lake, NJ, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.1 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 17 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.5 miles or 56m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Middletown, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Highland Lake, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Highland Lake, NJ
This is one driving day of about 75 miles and 1h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Highland Lake, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 29.1 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 21.2 and 69 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
21.2 mi into trip|~35m in|NJ 23
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 23
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
32.8 mi into trip|~49m in|ramp to GSP Southbound
Take the exit onto ramp to GSP Southbound toward GSP Toll South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward GSP Toll South
6
61.8 mi into trip|~1h 29m in|GSP / Garden State Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
68.4 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward NJ 35, NJ 36 South: Hazlet, Keyport
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 117
Toward NJ 35, NJ 36 South: Hazlet, Keyport
8
69 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 35: Hazlet
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 35: Hazlet
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.43 one way
$24.87 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$13.62
$27.24
premium
$4.93
$14.55
$29.09
diesel
$5.61
$16.56
$33.12
Estimated Tolls: $2.12
Garden State Parkway
(35.3 mi)$2.12
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
$12
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.5
0
$7.87
$3.60
Efficient EV
18.8
0
$6.56
$3.00
EV Truck/SUV
30
0
$10.50
$4.80
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 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 15, 2026
Origin
Highland Lake, NJ
Morning
in Highland Lake on Sunday
Local time
6:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Middletown, NJ
Morning
in Middletown on Sunday
Local time
6:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live 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
3 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 48m 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.
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...
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 46.5
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...
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,...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate grind. With 0% of the route on highways, you will be navigating surface streets like Lakeside Drive East, Coon Den Road, and Lookover Lane for the entire 80.3-mile distance. Because this is entirely local driving, you won't encounter any long, uninterrupted stretches that you might find on a major expressway. The road requires your full attention as you navigate the frequent curves and turns inherent to this local path. You will find that the character of the drive remains consistent from start to finish, keeping you engaged behind the wheel throughout the hour and 38 minutes.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29.1 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and NJ 23. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 21.2 miles in near NJ 23.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 75 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 21.2 miles (NJ 23): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.8 miles (ramp to GSP Southbound): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.8 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Highland Lake, NJ and Middletown, NJ, road signs point toward Clifton, Gsp Toll South and Keyport.
Clifton
27.5 mi in|~43m
Gsp Toll South
32.8 mi in|~49m|via ramp to GSP Southbound
Keyport
68.4 mi in|~1h 37m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 48m. Total distance: 75 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 29.1 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.12 in tolls one way, starting with Garden State Parkway. 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 Middletown, 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 21.2 miles (NJ 23): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.8 miles (ramp to GSP Southbound): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.8 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Morristown 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 Middletown, NJ before heading back.
