This 76.8-mile drive from Kingston Estates to Newark, New Jersey, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 1 hour and 37 minutes. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 92% of the journey on major roads, including the New Jersey Turnpike and NJ 21. With an estimated fuel cost of $13, this drive offers a budget-friendly option for getting between these two points within the Northeast region. It's a practical choice if you're looking for an efficient way to cover the distance without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.4 miles from Kingston Estates, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
66.5 mi
1h 17m
NJ 21
1.9 mi
3m
US 1
1.7 mi
2m
Church Road
1.5 mi
2m
North Kings Highway
0.7 mi
1m
NJ 81
0.7 mi
1m
Mulberry Street
0.6 mi
1m
Chapel Avenue East
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 66.5 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kingston Estates, NJ and Newark, NJ.
1
Start on Hastings Road
119 ft·6 sec·Hastings Road
2
Turn right onto Chapel Avenue East
0.6 mi·1 min·Chapel Avenue East
3
Turn right onto NJ 41
0.7 mi·1 min·North Kings Highway
4
Turn right onto CR 616
1.5 mi·2 min·Church Road
5
Turn left onto CR 673
0.4 mi·47 sec·Fellowship Road
6
Turn right onto NJ 73
132 ft·2 sec·NJ 73
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJTP: New Jersey Turnpike
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJTP North: New YorkUse the straight / right lanes.
9
Merge onto NJTP
15 mi·16 min·New Jersey Turnpike
10
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP
52 mi·1 hr·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 13AToward Newark Airport, Elizabeth SeaportUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto NJ 81
0.7 mi·1 min·NJ 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·44 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 1; US 9
1.7 mi·2 min·US 1; US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21
1.9 mi·3 min·NJ 21
Toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, DowntownUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
229 ft·7 sec·Chestnut Street
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto Mulberry Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Mulberry Street
18
Turn left onto CR 510
0.2 mi·29 sec·Market Street
Use the left lane.
19
Arrive at destination
CR 510
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of about 1 hour and 37 minutes, this 76.8-mile trip offers flexibility. You can depart at your convenience, though aiming to avoid peak commuter times on the New Jersey Turnpike is advisable to ensure the quickest travel. With a fuel cost estimated at $13, it's an economical journey. Since the longest stretch is 66.5 miles, plan for a single refueling stop if your vehicle has a shorter range, but otherwise, rest stops are not critical for this duration. Keep an eye on traffic reports, especially as you approach Newark.
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 38.4 miles from Kingston Estates, NJ, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.5 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 17 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.4 miles or 48m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newark, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kingston Estates, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Kingston Estates, NJ
This is one driving day of about 76.8 miles and 1h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Kingston Estates, 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 66.5 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.7 and 74.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3.7 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJTP North: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward NJTP North: New York
6
18.8 mi into trip|~25m in|NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
70.7 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport
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 13A
Toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport
6
72 mi into trip|~1h 28m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
74.1 mi into trip|~1h 31m in|NJ 21
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21 toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.73 one way
$25.46 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$13.94
$27.89
premium
$4.93
$14.89
$29.79
diesel
$5.61
$16.96
$33.91
Estimated Tolls: $9.30
New Jersey Turnpike
(66.5 mi)$9.30
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
$13
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23
0
$8.06
$3.69
Efficient EV
19.2
0
$6.72
$3.07
EV Truck/SUV
30.7
0
$10.75
$4.92
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Kingston Estates, NJ
Morning
in Kingston Estates on Sunday
Local time
6:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Newark, NJ
Morning
in Newark on Sunday
Local time
6:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
45°F
Manalapan, NJ
38 mi in
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
12 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 37m 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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 76.8
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 71.5
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
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 74.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this 76.8-mile journey, with 92% of the drive utilizing major roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 66.5 miles along the New Jersey Turnpike, offering a consistent pace. You'll navigate primarily on this turnpike, transitioning to NJ 21 and US 1, which maintain a high-speed character for most of the trip. This profile suggests a drive where maintaining speed is generally the focus, rather than frequent scenic detours or slower local road exploration.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.5 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 NJ 21. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 76.8 miles you will encounter 16 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 3.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.8 miles (NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.7 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 Kingston Estates, NJ and Newark, NJ, road signs point toward Newark Airport and Elizabeth Seaport.
Newark is New Jersey's largest city and second largest in Metro New York. Although one of the great historic cities of the Northeast and the most culture-rich city in the state, Newark is often overlooked in favor of Goliath-like Manhattan and towns along the Hudson River, such as Jersey City and Hoboken. While no longer the industrial powerhouse it once was, Newark remains one of America's major shipping, rail, and air hubs. Public transportation is abundant, making it easy to get to, from, and around the city.
Newark has been economically disadvantaged for some time, and suffers from a bad reputation, often informed by negative stereotyping. Thanks in large part to a nationally high-profile mayor (Cory Booker, now a U.S.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 37m. Total distance: 76.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.5 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.30 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 Newark, 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 3.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.8 miles (NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.7 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 Newark, NJ before heading back.
