This 97.3-mile journey from Knowlton to Brick, New Jersey, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 13 minutes. The drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 88% of the route utilizing major roadways like State Route 18 and the Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway. You can expect a fuel cost of around $16 for this trip. Given its manageable length and efficient route, this drive is perfectly suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. It offers a straightforward and practical way to travel within the Northeast region of New Jersey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.7 miles from Knowlton, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
State Route 18
22 mi
28m
Route 31 South BEGIN
16.9 mi
26m
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
12.2 mi
14m
NJ 34
12.1 mi
15m
I 287
10.4 mi
11m
US 46
6.2 mi
9m
NJ 70
5.2 mi
6m
Knowlton Road
4 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
State Route 18
— 22 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knowlton, NJ and Brick, NJ.
1
Start on Magnolia Drive
128 ft·7 sec·Magnolia Drive
2
Turn right onto CR 616
4.0 mi·6 min·Knowlton Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 46
6.2 mi·9 min·US 46
4
Turn right onto NJ 31
17 mi·26 min·Route 31 South BEGIN
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the exit onto ramp to I-78/US 22 East
0.3 mi·36 sec·ramp to I-78/US 22 East
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Newark
6
Merge onto I 78; US 22
12 mi·14 min·Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
7
Take the exit onto Ramp to I-287
0.5 mi·35 sec·Ramp to I-287
Exit 29Toward I 287: Morristown, SomervilleUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi·54 sec
Toward I 287 South: Somerville
9
Merge onto I 287
10 mi·11 min·I 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 9Toward River Road, Bound Brook, Highland ParkUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward Highland Park
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·26 sec
13
Turn straight onto CR 622
3.2 mi·5 min·River Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward NJ 18 South: New BrunswickUse the right lane.
15
Merge onto NJ 18
2.5 mi·3 min·John A. Lynch Memorial Bridge
16
Continue on NJ 18; CR 527
22 mi·28 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·1 min
Exit 19BToward NJ 34 South: Point PleasantUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn straight onto NJ 34
3.1 mi·4 min·NJ 34
19
Take the ramp onto NJ 34
1.2 mi·1 min·NJ 34
20
Enter roundabout onto NJ 34
219 ft·3 sec·NJ 34
21
Continue on NJ 34
5.0 mi·5 min·NJ 34
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Enter roundabout onto NJ 34
228 ft·2 sec·NJ 34
23
Continue on NJ 34
2.7 mi·3 min·NJ 34
24
Turn right onto NJ 35
162 ft·2 sec·NJ 35
25
Continue on NJ 70
5.2 mi·6 min·NJ 70
26
Turn left onto CR 631
0.3 mi·40 sec·Brick Boulevard
Use the left lane.
27
Arrive at destination
(631)
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 97.3-mile drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic, especially as you get closer to the destination. With a total duration of just over two hours, it’s a trip that doesn't require a stop for rest, but if you do need to stretch your legs, plan a brief stop around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $16, and it's always wise to fill up before embarking on longer highway stretches. A specific tip for this route: be aware that State Route 18 becomes your longest continuous stretch, so ensure you're comfortable with that segment before you begin.
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 48.7 miles from Knowlton, NJ, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 22 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 21 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.7 miles or 1h 8m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brick, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Knowlton, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Knowlton, NJ
This is one driving day of about 97.3 miles and 2h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Knowlton, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on State Route 18 for about 22 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 4 and 79.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4 mi into trip|~7m in|US 46
At end of road, turn left onto US 46
Navigation decision point
8
39.5 mi into trip|~57m in|Ramp to I-287
Take the exit onto Ramp to I-287 toward I 287: Morristown, Somerville
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 29
Toward I 287: Morristown, Somerville
8
51.2 mi into trip|~1h 10m in
Take the exit toward River Road, Bound Brook, Highland Park
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 9
Toward River Road, Bound Brook, Highland Park
6
51.4 mi into trip|~1h 11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Highland Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Highland Park
7
79.4 mi into trip|~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward NJ 34 South: Point Pleasant
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 19B
Toward NJ 34 South: Point Pleasant
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.13 one way
$32.26 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$17.67
$35.33
premium
$4.93
$18.87
$37.74
diesel
$5.61
$21.48
$42.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.2
0
$10.22
$4.67
Efficient EV
24.3
0
$8.51
$3.89
EV Truck/SUV
38.9
0
$13.62
$6.23
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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
Knowlton, NJ
Late night
in Knowlton on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Brick, NJ
Late night
in Brick on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 10 to 15 mph1% chanceLive forecast
66°F
Chester, NJ
49 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
46 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
2h 13m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
Morristown National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 40.3
Park Closure: Partial Reopening: Cross Estate Gardens
Situated within the most densely populated region of the United States, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides a unique opportunity to experience tranquil landscapes, rich human history,...
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...
23 mi from route
~56 min detour
$10
near mile 53.7
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...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 70.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-intensive experience on this route, with an 88% highway share. You'll spend most of your time on fast-paced roads, including stretches of State Route 18 and the Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll encounter is 22 miles on State Route 18, offering a consistent driving pace for a significant portion of your trip. While primarily a highway drive, the initial leg starting on Route 31 South BEGIN will transition you onto these faster routes, setting the tone for an efficient journey.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 22 mi on State Route 18.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Route 18 and Route 31 South BEGIN. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4 miles in near US 46.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 97.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4 miles (US 46): Navigation decision point; at 39.5 miles (Ramp to I-287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51.2 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 Knowlton, NJ and Brick, NJ, road signs point toward Somerville, Bound Brook and Highland Park.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 13m. Total distance: 97.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 22 miles on State Route 18. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Brick, NJ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 4 miles (US 46): Navigation decision point; at 39.5 miles (Ramp to I-287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Morristown National Historical Park, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Thomas Edison 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 Brick, NJ before heading back.
