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Trip from Jersey City, NJ to Frenchtown, NJ

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 12, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 19m

Distance

59.4 mi

96 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 18 min
4 AM
1h 14m ★
6 AM
1h 20m
8 AM
1h 32m
10 AM
1h 24m
12 PM
1h 23m
3 PM
1h 25m
5 PM
1h 32m
8 PM
1h 16m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Jersey City, NJ, NJ

Jersey City, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

borough of New Jersey

Frenchtown, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Jersey City to Frenchtown is 59.4 miles and takes about 1 hour 19 minutes via Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway, with a fuel budget near $10 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Jersey, moving from the Northeast region to its western edge. Given its relatively short duration and mostly highway profile, it's a straightforward drive perfect for a single-day excursion. You can expect a predictable and efficient route for a quick getaway or commute.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway 41.7 mi 48m
Everittstown Road 6.5 mi 11m
Pittstown Road 4.2 mi 7m
US 1 Truck 3 mi 5m
US 1 1.9 mi 2m
Everittstown Hill Road 0.8 mi 1m
Duncan Avenue 0.4 mi <1m
I 78 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway — 41.7 mi, about 48m

Traffic on I-78

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 116 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~3,542 veh/hr typical · worst 4,189

Quietest

2 AM

~407 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

8.7×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 99 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Jersey City, NJ and Frenchtown, 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 Seaport Use 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

1.9 mi · 2 min · US 1; US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

344 ft · 8 sec
Toward I 78 West: Port Newark, Newark Airport North Area, Air Cargo Use the slight right lane.
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward Frontage Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Turn left onto Frontage Road

77 ft · 3 sec · Frontage Road
10

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Toward I 78, NJTP: Economy Parking
11

Merge onto I 78

8.7 mi · 10 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 78

0.2 mi · 11 sec · I 78
Toward I 78 West: Clinton Use the slight left lane.
13

Merge onto I 78

33 mi · 38 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Exit 15 Toward NJ 173 East: Clinton, Pittstown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight left at fork

150 ft · 6 sec
Toward Pittstown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Turn left onto NJ 173; CR 513

4.2 mi · 7 min · Pittstown Road
Use the left lane.
17

Turn right onto CR 513

6.5 mi · 11 min · Everittstown Road
18

Continue on CR 513

0.8 mi · 1 min · Everittstown Hill Road
19

Continue on CR 513

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Race Street
20

Turn left onto South Harrison Street

71 ft · 3 sec · South Harrison Street
21

Arrive at destination

South Harrison Street

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Metuchen, NJ, NJ

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Metuchen, NJ

30 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Clifton, NJ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Green Knoll, NJ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 29.7 miles from Jersey City, 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.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 47.7 — 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,...
7
5.4 mi into trip | ~8m in

Take the exit toward I 78 West: Port Newark, Newark Airport North Area, Air Cargo

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 78 West: Port Newark, Newark Airport N...
8
5.4 mi into trip | ~9m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Frontage Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Frontage Road
8
47.6 mi into trip | ~58m in

Take the exit toward NJ 173 East: Clinton, Pittstown

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. Exit 15 Toward NJ 173 East: Clinton, Pittstown
8
47.7 mi into trip | ~58m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Pittstown

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Pittstown

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$10.21 one way

$20.42 round trip

$4.37/gal 25.4 MPG avg 21 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.79 $11.20 $22.40
premium $5.13 $11.99 $23.98
diesel $5.97 $13.95 $27.91

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$10

Estimated CO2 emission: 20.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-09-07.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 17.8 0 $6.24 $2.85
Efficient EV 14.9 0 $5.20 $2.38
EV Truck/SUV 23.8 0 $8.32 $3.80

Gas CO2

21 kg

EV CO2

7 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.

Forecast as of Sep 12, 2026

Origin

Jersey City, NJ

Morning in Jersey City on Saturday

Local time

7:08 AM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Frenchtown, NJ

Morning in Frenchtown on Saturday

Local time

7:08 AM

EDT

Current temp

60°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

18 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 19m 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 highway driving, with 79% of the 59.4 miles on expressways. You'll cover a longest stretch of 41.7 miles on the Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway before transitioning to surface roads like Everittstown Road and Pittstown Road. Expect frequent exits on the initial highway portion, followed by more open cruising as you approach your destination.

79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 41.7 mi on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway and Everittstown 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 Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 59.4 miles you will encounter 17 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 5.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

397 ft 27 ft

Total Climb

749 ft

Total Descent

652 ft

Highest Point

397 ft

~55.2 mi in

Elevation Range

370 ft

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 Frenchtown, NJ, road signs point toward Newark Airport North Area, Air Cargo, Njtp: Economy Parking and Pittstown.

Newark Airport North Area

5.4 mi in | ~8m

Air Cargo

5.4 mi in | ~8m

Njtp: Economy Parking

5.6 mi in | ~9m

Pittstown

47.6 mi in | ~58m

About the Cities

Starting in Jersey City, NJ

Full guide →

Founded 1609

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.

Top landmarks

  • Holland Tunnel — road tunnel between Manhattan, New York and Jersey City, New Jersey in the Unite...
  • Statue of Liberty National Monument — United States national monument
  • Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal — former railroad terminal in Jersey City, New Jersey

Arriving in Frenchtown, NJ

Full guide →

Frenchtown is a Borough in Hunterdon County. As of the United States 2010 Census, the borough population was 1,373. Various names have been applied to this settlement after the many ferry operators residing on both sides of the river. The community had variously been known as Alexandriaville, Sunbeam and Frenchtown over the years.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 19m. Total distance: 59.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 41.7 miles on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 6 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

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 Frenchtown, 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 5.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Frenchtown, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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