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
57.2 mi
92 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lakewood, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Bernardsville, NJ
Malcolm Garret
Lakewood, NJ to Bernardsville, NJ is 57.2 miles and takes about 1 hour 19 minutes via NJ 18 and I-287, with a fuel budget near $10 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Jersey, traversing the Northeast region. Given its relatively short distance and primarily highway profile, it's a straightforward drive. You'll likely find it efficient for a quick commute or a day trip between these two New Jersey locales.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NJ 18 | 16 mi | 19m |
| I 287 | 15.9 mi | 18m |
| US Highway 9 | 7.6 mi | 11m |
| Easton Avenue | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| Kozloski Road | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| Mount Airy Road | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Halls Mill Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| Memorial Parkway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Lakewood, NJ and Bernardsville, NJ.
Start on 8th Street
Turn right onto US 9; CR 547
Continue on US 9
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto Edinburgh Drive
Continue on CR 55
Continue on CR 55
Turn right onto NJ 79
Take the ramp
Merge onto NJ 18
Continue on NJ 18
Take the exit
Turn straight onto (672)
Turn left onto CR 609
Turn right onto CR 527
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 287
Keep slight right at fork onto I 287
Take the exit
Turn straight onto CR 525
Continue on CR 525
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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.
A short stop after about 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 28.6 miles from Lakewood, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 54.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto US 9; CR 547 / Madison Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Easton Avenue, So Bound Brook
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 287 toward I 78 East: New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward CR 525 North: Mount Airy Road North, Bernardsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$9.83 one way
$19.66 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.79 | $10.79 | $21.57 |
| premium | $5.13 | $11.55 | $23.09 |
| diesel | $5.97 | $13.44 | $26.87 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 20 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-09-07.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.2 | 0 | $6.01 | $2.75 |
| Efficient EV | 14.3 | 0 | $5.01 | $2.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.9 | 0 | $8.01 | $3.66 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Lakewood on Saturday
Local time
7:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Partly Sunny
Destination
Morning in Bernardsville on Saturday
Local time
7:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Sunny
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This route is mostly highway, with 72% of it on freeways. You'll experience a 16-mile stretch on NJ 18 before transitioning to I-287. Expect a number of exits and merges as you navigate these main arteries. The latter portion of the drive will feel like typical interstate cruising.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NJ 18 and I 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 9; CR 547 / Madison Avenue.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 57.2 miles you will encounter 14 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: near the start (US 9; CR 547 / Madison Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 34 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
562 ft
Total Descent
233 ft
Highest Point
402 ft
~57.2 mi in
Elevation Range
391 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lakewood, NJ and Bernardsville, NJ, road signs point toward So Bound Brook and Mahwah.
So Bound Brook
Mahwah
Lakewood is a town in Ocean County, New Jersey.
Top landmarks
Bernardsville is a small (7,707 inhabitants), affluent town located in the Skylands region in northern New Jersey. It is in Somerset County, which is in the top ten wealthiest counties in the nation. Bernardsville as a town ranks 75th in the country among 100 highest-income places. In the summers it is a great getaway from the city life.
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 19m. Total distance: 57.2 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 (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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