Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 29m
Distance
73.2 mi
118 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Highland Park, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Hamilton, NJ
Garrison Gao
This 73.2-mile drive from Highland Park, NJ to Hamilton, NJ is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 29 minutes. Designed for a single day of travel, it's a practical option for anyone needing to cover this distance within the Northeast region, entirely within New Jersey. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, it's an economical trip. The route predominantly utilizes major highways, making it a quick and efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Central Jersey Expressway | 33.6 mi | 39m |
| I 295 | 32.4 mi | 37m |
| Garden State Parkway | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Exit 1B | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| NJ 33 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| I 195 East | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Exit 60 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| NJ 138 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Highland Park, NJ and Hamilton, NJ.
Start on Sylvan Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto Klemm Avenue
Turn right onto US 130
Take the exit
Merge onto I 76
Take the exit onto Exit 1B
Merge onto I 295
Take the exit onto Exit 60
Keep slight right at fork onto I 195 East
Merge onto I 195
Continue on NJ 138
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork onto Garden State Parkway
Merge onto GSP
Take the exit
Merge onto NJ 33
Turn right onto (17)
Turn right onto Gully Road
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 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.
A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 36.6 miles from Highland Park, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 72.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward I 76 East: Atlantic City, Trenton, Delaware Memorial Bridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto Exit 60 toward NJ 29 North, I 195 East: Trenton, Belmar
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward GSP North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward GSP North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward NJ 33 East: Ocean Grove, Bradley Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$12.14 one way
$24.27 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $13.29 | $26.58 |
| premium | $4.93 | $14.20 | $28.39 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.16 | $32.32 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.16
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$12
Tolls
$0
Total
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.6 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 | 0 | $7.69 | $3.51 |
| Efficient EV | 18.3 | 0 | $6.41 | $2.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.3 | 0 | $10.25 | $4.68 |
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Highland Park on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Partly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Destination
Late night in Hamilton on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a highway-focused experience for 96% of this 73.2-mile trip. You'll spend most of your time on roads like the Central Jersey Expressway, I-295, and the Garden State Parkway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 33.6 miles on the Central Jersey Expressway, offering a period of consistent driving without frequent exits. While primarily highway, this route prioritizes speed and directness over varied scenery, providing a predictable driving rhythm.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Central Jersey Expressway and I 295. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.2 miles you will encounter 18 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 0.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.2 miles (Exit 60): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Highland Park, NJ and Hamilton, NJ, road signs point toward Belmar, Gsr North and Gsp North.
Belmar
Gsr North
Gsp North
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 29m. Total distance: 73.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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