Origin
Highlands, NJ
Afternoon in Highlands on Sunday
Local time
12:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Highlands, NJ to Menlo Park, NJ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
41m
Distance
26.9 mi
43 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 38m
★
6 AM
0h 42m
8 AM
0h 49m
10 AM
0h 44m
12 PM
0h 44m
3 PM
0h 45m
5 PM
0h 49m
8 PM
0h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Highlands, NJ
MINEIA MARTINS
Menlo Park, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 26.9-mile drive from Highlands to Menlo Park in New Jersey is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 41 minutes. With 72% of the journey on highways, expect a largely efficient ride. The estimated fuel cost is around $4, making it an economical option. The route primarily utilizes the Garden State Parkway, NJ 35, and Leonardville Road, offering a straightforward path through the Northeast region. This trip is best suited for those looking for a quick and direct commute between these two NJ locales.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 13.4 mi | 17m |
| NJ 35 | 3.8 mi | 5m |
| Leonardville Road | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| Memorial Parkway | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Cherry Tree Farm Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Lincoln Highway | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Linden Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Navesink Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 13.4 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Highlands, NJ and Menlo Park, NJ.
1
Start on Sea Drift Avenue
78 ft
·
10 sec
·
Sea Drift Avenue
2
Turn left onto CR 8
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Bay Avenue
3
Turn left onto CR 8
490 ft
·
13 sec
·
Waterwitch Avenue
4
Continue on CR 8
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Linden Avenue
5
Turn right onto NJ 36
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Navesink Avenue
6
Continue on NJ 36
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Memorial Parkway
7
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Toward CR 516 West: Highlands
8
Turn slight right onto CR 516
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Leonardville Road
9
Turn right onto CR 516
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Cherry Tree Farm Road
Use the right lane.
10
Turn right onto NJ 35; CR 516
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
NJ 35; CR 516
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward GSP: Clark Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
Toward Local, All Exits
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto GSP
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 132
Toward NJ 27: Iselin, Metuchen
Use the right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
369 ft
·
9 sec
Toward NJ 27: Lincoln Highway
16
Turn straight onto NJ 27
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Lincoln Highway
17
Turn right onto Philip Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Philip Street
18
Arrive at destination
Philip Street
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 26.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CR 8 / Bay Avenue
Turn left onto CR 8 / Bay Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
11.8 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Take the exit toward GSP: Clark Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward GSP: Clark Street
8
12.2 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Local, All Exits
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Local, All Exits
8
25.8 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Take the exit toward NJ 27: Iselin, Metuchen
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 132
Toward NJ 27: Iselin, Metuchen
6
26.1 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 27: Lincoln Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward NJ 27: Lincoln Highway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.46 one way
$8.92 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
9 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $4.88 | $9.77 |
| premium | $4.93 | $5.22 | $10.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.94 | $11.88 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.80
Garden State Parkway
(13.4 mi)
$0.80
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Tolls
$1
Total
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.1 | 0 | $2.82 | $1.29 |
| Efficient EV | 6.7 | 0 | $2.35 | $1.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.8 | 0 | $3.77 | $1.72 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (67% 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
Menlo Park, NJ
Afternoon in Menlo Park on Sunday
Local time
12:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
41m 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?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with a significant 72% of the journey spent on faster roads. You'll experience a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 13.4 miles on the Garden State Parkway, which sets the tone for much of the travel. While the Garden State Parkway offers a consistent pace, the inclusion of NJ 35 and Leonardville Road will introduce some variation as you transition off the main highway. Expect a blend of efficient cruising and more local road driving as you near your destination.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 13.4 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and NJ 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR 8 / Bay Avenue.
Driving Effort
9/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 26.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 41m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR 8 / Bay Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 11.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Highlands, NJ and Menlo Park, NJ, road signs point toward Cr 516 West: Highlands, Local and All Exits.
Cr 516 West: Highlands
3 mi in
|
~5m
Local
12.2 mi in
|
~21m
All Exits
12.2 mi in
|
~21m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 41m. Total distance: 26.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 13.4 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.80 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 Menlo Park, 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: near the start (CR 8 / Bay Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 11.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Gateway National Recreation Area, Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Morristown National Historical Park (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 Menlo Park, 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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