Jersey City, NJ to Cedar Glen Lakes, NJ is 73.8 miles and takes about 1h 41m via New Jersey Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Northeast region, specifically traversing New Jersey for its entirety. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip, making it an efficient option for a single-day journey. If you're looking for a quick transit between these two points without extensive scenic detours, this route fits the bill.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.9 miles from Jersey City, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
42.5 mi
50m
Pinehurst Road
8.2 mi
12m
Whiting-New Egypt Road
3.7 mi
5m
Forked River Road
3.6 mi
5m
US 1 Truck
3 mi
5m
US 1
2.1 mi
2m
Central Jersey Expressway
1.9 mi
2m
Allentown-Lakewood Road
1.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 42.5 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jersey City, NJ and Cedar Glen Lakes, NJ.
1
Start on Olean Avenue
316 ft·15 sec·Olean Avenue
2
Turn right onto Duncan Avenue
0.4 mi·53 sec·Duncan Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
0.4 mi·44 sec·US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
Use the left lane.
4
Take the exit onto US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
1.9 mi·3 min·US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
Toward US 1 South, US 9 South: Newark Airport, Port Newark Elizabeth SeaportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
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 South, US 9 Truck South: Port Newark, Newark Airport
6
Merge onto US 1; US 9
2.1 mi·2 min·US 1; US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 78 East, I 95, NJTP: New Jersey Turnpike TollUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 78
47 ft·0 sec·I 95/NJTP North Tolls
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95/NJTP North Tolls
0.1 mi·7 sec·I 95/NJTP North Tolls
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: TrentonUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·49 sec
12
Merge onto I 95
42 mi·50 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
1.2 mi·3 min
Exit 7AToward I 195: Trenton, Shore PointsUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 195 East: Shore PointsUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto I 195
1.9 mi·2 min·Central Jersey Expressway
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 8Toward CR 539: Hightstown, AllentownUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
282 ft·8 sec
Toward AllentownUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Turn straight onto CR 524; CR 539
0.2 mi·24 sec·North Main Street
19
Turn left onto CR 526 Spur
0.4 mi·46 sec·Allentown Bypass
20
Turn left onto CR 526
1.8 mi·2 min·Allentown-Lakewood Road
21
Turn right onto CR 539 ALT
1.5 mi·2 min·Sharon Station Road
22
Enter roundabout onto CR 539
188 ft·3 sec·Forked River Road
23
Continue on CR 539
3.6 mi·5 min·Forked River Road
24
Continue on CR 539
8.2 mi·12 min·Pinehurst Road
25
Continue on CR 539
3.7 mi·5 min·Whiting-New Egypt Road
26
Turn right onto NJ 70; CR 530
0.3 mi·29 sec·NJ 70; CR 530
27
Turn left onto CR 24
0.1 mi·21 sec·Roosevelt City Road
28
Turn right onto Michigan Avenue
0.1 mi·33 sec·Michigan Avenue
29
Turn left
0.2 mi·43 sec
30
At end of road, turn left onto California Drive
520 ft·28 sec·California Drive
31
Turn right onto Maine Avenue
118 ft·5 sec·Maine Avenue
32
Arrive at destination
Maine Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of just over 1.5 hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. The $12 fuel estimate suggests that topping up your tank before leaving Jersey City should suffice. Since the longest continuous stretch is on the New Jersey Turnpike, plan for potential traffic delays, especially during peak commuting hours. There are no designated stops in the data, so you can decide on breaks as needed, but keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is always wise on longer highway segments.
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 36.9 miles from Jersey City, NJ, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.5 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 16 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.9 miles or 47m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cedar Glen Lakes, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Jersey City, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Jersey City, NJ
This is one driving day of about 73.8 miles and 1h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Jersey City, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New Jersey Turnpike for about 42.5 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 53.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.9 mi into trip|~1m in|US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
Take the exit onto US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck toward US 1 South, US 9 South: Newark Airport, Port Newark Elizabeth Seaport
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.
Toward US 1 South, US 9 South: Newark Airport,...
8
6.3 mi into trip|~10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
8
49.9 mi into trip|~1h 2m in
Take the exit toward I 195: Trenton, Shore Points
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 7A
Toward I 195: Trenton, Shore Points
8
53.3 mi into trip|~1h 8m in
Take the exit toward CR 539: Hightstown, Allentown
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 8
Toward CR 539: Hightstown, Allentown
8
53.4 mi into trip|~1h 9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Allentown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.24 one way
$24.47 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$13.40
$26.80
premium
$4.93
$14.31
$28.63
diesel
$5.61
$16.29
$32.59
Estimated Tolls: $5.95
New Jersey Turnpike
(42.5 mi)$5.95
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
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.8 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
22.1
0
$7.75
$3.54
Efficient EV
18.5
0
$6.46
$2.95
EV Truck/SUV
29.5
0
$10.33
$4.72
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 16, 2026
Origin
Jersey City, NJ
Morning
in Jersey City on Sunday
Local time
9:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cedar Glen Lakes, NJ
Morning
in Cedar Glen Lakes on Sunday
Local time
9:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°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
4 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
1h 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.
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 2.5
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...
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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 12.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 68% of the journey on major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of uninterrupted travel on the New Jersey Turnpike, covering 42.5 miles consecutively. The route begins with highway driving and largely maintains that character throughout. Expect a consistent pace suitable for covering ground efficiently, rather than a winding, scenic exploration.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.5 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 Pinehurst Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.8 miles you will encounter 26 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 0.9 miles (US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.9 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.
Between Jersey City, NJ and Cedar Glen Lakes, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike Toll, Njtp South: Trenton, Shore Points, Cr 539: Hightstown and Allentown.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 41m. Total distance: 73.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.5 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.95 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 Cedar Glen Lakes, 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 0.9 miles (US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.9 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 Cedar Glen Lakes, NJ before heading back.
