Origin
Jersey City, NJ
Late night in Jersey City on Sunday
Local time
12:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Jersey City, NJ to Plainsboro Center, NJ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 3m
Distance
45.8 mi
74 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 58m
★
6 AM
1h 3m
8 AM
1h 13m
10 AM
1h 7m
12 PM
1h 6m
3 PM
1h 7m
5 PM
1h 13m
8 PM
1h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Plainsboro Center, NJ
Andrew Patrick Photo
Trip Overview
Jersey City, NJ to Plainsboro Center, NJ is 45.8 miles and takes about 1h 3m via New Jersey Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $8 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Northeast region, specifically within New Jersey, making it a straightforward local trip. You'll primarily be on major highways, so expect a focused and efficient journey. It's a short enough distance that you can easily complete it in a single day, offering flexibility for your departure time. Consider this route for its directness and minimal travel time.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike | 29.5 mi | 35m |
| Dey Road | 4.6 mi | 8m |
| US 1 Truck | 3 mi | 5m |
| US 1 | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| US 130 | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Forsgate Drive | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Exit 8A | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Duncan Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 29.5 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jersey City, NJ and Plainsboro Center, 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
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 Toll
Use 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: Trenton
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
49 sec
12
Merge onto I 95
30 mi
·
35 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
13
Take the exit onto Exit 8A
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Exit 8A
Exit 8A
Toward NJ 32: Jamesburg, Cranbury
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward CR 535: Cranbury, South Brunswick
Use the slight right lane.
15
Turn left onto CR 535
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Cranbury-South River Road
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto NJ 32
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Forsgate Drive
17
Turn left onto US 130
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
US 130
18
Turn right onto CR 614
4.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Dey Road
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn straight onto Edgemere Avenue
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Edgemere Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
Edgemere Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 22.9 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 155 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 37.8 — 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
5.6 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the exit toward I 78 East, I 95, NJTP: New Jersey Turnpike Toll
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 I 78 East, I 95, NJTP: New Jersey Turnpi...
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
37 mi into trip
|
~47m in
|
Exit 8A
Take the exit onto Exit 8A toward NJ 32: Jamesburg, Cranbury
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 8A
Toward NJ 32: Jamesburg, Cranbury
8
37.8 mi into trip
|
~49m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CR 535: Cranbury, South Brunswick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CR 535: Cranbury, South Brunswick
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.59 one way
$15.19 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $8.32 | $16.63 |
| premium | $4.93 | $8.88 | $17.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.11 | $20.22 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.13
New Jersey Turnpike
(29.5 mi)
$4.13
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Tolls
$4
Total
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 16 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.7 | 0 | $4.81 | $2.20 |
| Efficient EV | 11.5 | 0 | $4.01 | $1.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.3 | 0 | $6.41 | $2.93 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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
Plainsboro Center, NJ
Late night in Plainsboro Center on Sunday
Local time
12:48 AM
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
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 3m 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 is an 80% highway-focused drive, meaning you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 29.5 miles, primarily on the New Jersey Turnpike, allowing for steady progress. The profile suggests a highway-centric experience, so be prepared for consistent travel on well-maintained, multi-lane roads. While the exact scenery isn't specified, the highway nature implies a functional rather than a scenic journey for the majority of the trip.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29.5 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 Dey 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 45.8 miles you will encounter 15 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 5.6 miles: 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.
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 Jersey City, NJ and Plainsboro Center, NJ, road signs point toward Newark Airport, Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike Toll, Njtp South: Trenton, Cranbury, Cr 535: Cranbury and Brunswick.
Newark Airport
2.8 mi in
|
~5m
|
via US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike Toll
5.6 mi in
|
~9m
Njtp South: Trenton
6.3 mi in
|
~10m
Cranbury
37 mi in
|
~47m
|
via Exit 8A
Cr 535: Cranbury
37.8 mi in
|
~49m
Brunswick
37.8 mi in
|
~49m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 3m. Total distance: 45.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 29.5 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.13 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 Plainsboro Center, 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 5.6 miles: 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.
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 Plainsboro Center, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Plainsboro Center, NJ
More trips to Plainsboro Center, NJ
Explore more options from Jersey City, NJ or browse trips ending in Plainsboro Center, NJ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NJ road trips.