Lakehurst to Jersey City is 68.8 miles and takes about 1 hour 31 minutes via Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within New Jersey, moving from the Northeast region towards another part of the Northeast. Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of your trip. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, making it a straightforward option for getting from point A to point B.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.4 miles from Lakehurst, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
38.5 mi
46m
New Jersey Turnpike
14 mi
17m
Lakehurst Circle
4.9 mi
7m
NJ 70
3.5 mi
5m
Lincoln Highway
1.5 mi
2m
New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
1.1 mi
1m
US 1 Truck
0.7 mi
1m
Duncan Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 38.5 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakehurst, NJ and Jersey City, NJ.
1
Start on NJ 70
0.4 mi·44 sec·NJ 70
2
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 70
4.9 mi·7 min·Lakehurst Circle
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on NJ 70
3.2 mi·4 min·NJ 70
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward GSP Toll North: Woodbridge
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·21 sec
Toward GSP North, CR 528: LakewoodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·47 sec
Toward GSP NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto GSP
13 mi·15 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·31 sec
9
Continue on GSP
25 mi·30 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Exit 129Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, TrentonUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
12
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·1 min·this road
13
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·16 sec·this road
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
15
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
14 mi·17 min·New Jersey Turnpike
16
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP
1.1 mi·1 min·New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·58 sec
Exit 15EToward US 1 North Truck, US 9 North Truck: Newark, Jersey CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
322 ft·7 sec
Toward US 1 Truck North, US 9 Truck North: Jersey City, Doremus AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward US 1 North Truck, US 9 North Truck: Jersey City
20
Merge onto US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
1.5 mi·2 min·Lincoln Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
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 North, US 9 Truck NorthUse the left lane.
22
Turn right onto Duncan Avenue
0.4 mi·51 sec·Duncan Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Turn left onto Olean Avenue
316 ft·13 sec·Olean Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
Olean Avenue
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over 1.5 hours, this is a trip you can easily complete in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving during off-peak hours to minimize traffic, especially as you approach Jersey City. Since the longest stretch between exits is 38.5 miles on the Garden State Parkway, plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, though you won't need many. The $11 fuel cost suggests this is an economical trip, so focus on smooth travel rather than extensive breaks.
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 34.4 miles from Lakehurst, NJ, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.5 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 15 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.4 miles or 45m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jersey City, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lakehurst, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lakehurst, NJ
This is one driving day of about 68.8 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Lakehurst, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 38.5 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.1 and 65.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
9.1 mi into trip|~14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward GSP North, CR 528: Lakewood
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward GSP North, CR 528: Lakewood
7
9.4 mi into trip|~15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward GSP North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward GSP North
8
48.8 mi into trip|~1h 2m in
Take the exit toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Trenton
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 129
Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Trenton
8
65.5 mi into trip|~1h 25m in
Take the exit toward US 1 North Truck, US 9 North Truck: Newark, Jersey City
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 15E
Toward US 1 North Truck, US 9 North Truck: Newa...
8
65.9 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 1 Truck North, US 9 Truck North: Jersey City, Doremus Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 1 Truck North, US 9 Truck North: Jers...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.41 one way
$22.81 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg24 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$12.49
$24.98
premium
$4.93
$13.34
$26.69
diesel
$5.61
$15.19
$30.38
Estimated Tolls: $4.42
Garden State Parkway
(38.5 mi)$2.31
New Jersey Turnpike
(15.1 mi)$2.11
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
$11
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20.6
0
$7.22
$3.30
Efficient EV
17.2
0
$6.02
$2.75
EV Truck/SUV
27.5
0
$9.63
$4.40
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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 15, 2026
Origin
Lakehurst, NJ
Late night
in Lakehurst on Sunday
Local time
3:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jersey City, NJ
Late night
in Jersey City on Sunday
Local time
3:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°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 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 31m 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 66.5
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 68.8
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 84% of the journey utilizing major roadways. You'll encounter the Lakehurst Circle early on, transitioning to the Garden State Parkway for a significant stretch of 38.5 miles, offering an uninterrupted highway experience. Subsequently, the New Jersey Turnpike will carry you the remainder of the way. The character of the drive is consistent, largely consisting of multi-lane highways designed for efficient travel.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 38.5 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.1 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 68.8 miles you will encounter 18 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 9.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.8 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 Lakehurst, NJ and Jersey City, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp Toll North: Woodbridge, Gsp North, Cr 528: Lakewood, Njtp: New York City, Trenton and Njtp North: New York City.
Gsp Toll North: Woodbridge
8.4 mi in|~13m
Gsp North
9.1 mi in|~14m
Cr 528: Lakewood
9.1 mi in|~14m
Njtp: New York City
48.8 mi in|~1h 2m
Trenton
48.8 mi in|~1h 2m
Njtp North: New York City
49.8 mi in|~1h 4m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 68.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 38.5 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.42 in tolls one way, starting with Garden State Parkway. 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 Jersey City, 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 9.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.8 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 Jersey City, NJ before heading back.
