Origin
Lakewood, NJ
Morning in Lakewood on Sunday
Local time
8:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lakewood, NJ to Glen Gardner, 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 32m
Distance
67.7 mi
109 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 26m
★
6 AM
1h 33m
8 AM
1h 47m
10 AM
1h 38m
12 PM
1h 36m
3 PM
1h 38m
5 PM
1h 46m
8 PM
1h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lakewood, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Glen Gardner, NJ
James Kampeis
Trip Overview
Lakewood, NJ to Glen Gardner, NJ is 67.7 miles and takes about 1h 32m via NJ 18 and I-287, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within New Jersey, moving from the Northeast region towards its western edge. It's a highway-focused trip, so expect efficient travel rather than leisurely sightseeing. Given its relatively short duration, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination with ample time to spare.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
33.9 miles from Lakewood, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NJ 18 | 16 mi | 19m |
| Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway | 12 mi | 13m |
| I 287 | 9.9 mi | 11m |
| US Highway 9 | 7.6 mi | 11m |
| NJ 31 | 5 mi | 7m |
| Easton Avenue | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| Kozloski Road | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| Halls Mill Road | 2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
NJ 18
— 16 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakewood, NJ and Glen Gardner, NJ.
1
Start on 8th Street
46 ft
·
4 sec
·
8th Street
2
Turn right onto US 9; CR 547
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Madison Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on US 9
7.6 mi
·
11 min
·
US Highway 9
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
291 ft
·
8 sec
Use the right lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork
140 ft
·
3 sec
Use the right lane.
6
Turn straight onto Edinburgh Drive
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Edinburgh Drive
7
Continue on CR 55
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Halls Mill Road
8
Continue on CR 55
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Kozloski Road
9
Turn right onto NJ 79
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
Use the left lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick
Use the right lane.
11
Merge onto NJ 18
16 mi
·
19 min
·
NJ 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on NJ 18
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward Easton Avenue, So Bound Brook
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn straight onto (672)
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
George Street
15
Turn left onto CR 609
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Landing Lane
16
Turn right onto CR 527
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Easton Avenue
Use the right lane.
17
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 287 North: Morristown, Mahwah
18
Merge onto I 287
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
I 287
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 287
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
I 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
1.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 21B
Toward I 78 West: Easton, Pennsylvania
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
21
Merge onto I 78
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 17
Toward NJ 31: Clinton, Flemington, Washington
Use the slight right lane.
23
Merge onto NJ 31
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
NJ 31
24
Turn right onto Sanatorium Road
377 ft
·
22 sec
·
Sanatorium Road
25
Turn left onto Main Street
0.2 mi
·
54 sec
·
Main Street
26
Turn right onto Gardner Lane
31 ft
·
1 sec
·
Gardner Lane
27
Arrive at destination
Gardner Lane
Trip Plan
For this straightforward 1h 32m drive, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits your schedule. Consider departing in the morning to avoid any potential afternoon traffic on I-287. Since the total distance is just 67.7 miles and the fuel cost is estimated at a low $11, extensive planning for fuel stops isn't necessary. You'll likely only need one stop at most, if any, to stretch your legs. Keep an eye out for the transitions between highways, particularly when moving from NJ 18 to I-287, as these can be busy points.
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 33.9 miles from Lakewood, NJ, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 16 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 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33.9 miles or 47m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Glen Gardner, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lakewood, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lakewood, NJ
This is one driving day of about 67.7 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Lakewood, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on NJ 18 for about 16 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 33.9 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 62 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 9; CR 547 / Madison Avenue
Turn right onto US 9; CR 547 / Madison Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
8.6 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
34 mi into trip
|
~47m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Easton Avenue, So Bound Brook
8
48.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward I 78 West: Easton, Pennsylvania
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 21B
Toward I 78 West: Easton, Pennsylvania
8
62 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
Take the exit toward NJ 31: Clinton, Flemington, Washington
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 17
Toward NJ 31: Clinton, Flemington, Washington
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.22 one way
$22.45 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $12.29 | $24.59 |
| premium | $4.93 | $13.13 | $26.26 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.95 | $29.89 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.7 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 | 20.3 | 0 | $7.11 | $3.25 |
| Efficient EV | 16.9 | 0 | $5.92 | $2.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.1 | 0 | $9.48 | $4.33 |
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.
Destination
Glen Gardner, NJ
Morning in Glen Gardner on Sunday
Local time
8:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
63°F
Edison, NJ
34 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
27 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 32m 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 journey is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 77% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll encounter stretches on NJ 18 and the Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway before merging onto I-287. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll navigate is approximately 16 miles on NJ 18. Expect a consistent pace for most of the drive, characterized by efficient travel on well-maintained highways. The character of the road remains largely consistent, favoring speed and directness.
77% 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: 16 mi on NJ 18.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NJ 18 and Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway. 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.
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 67.7 miles you will encounter 19 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.
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 Lakewood, NJ and Glen Gardner, NJ, road signs point toward So Bound Brook, Mahwah, Pennsylvania, Flemington and Washington.
So Bound Brook
34 mi in
|
~47m
Mahwah
38.5 mi in
|
~55m
Pennsylvania
48.7 mi in
|
~1h 7m
Flemington
62 mi in
|
~1h 22m
Washington
62 mi in
|
~1h 22m
About the Cities
Starting in Lakewood, NJ
Full guide →Lakewood is a town in Ocean County, New Jersey.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 67.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 16 miles on NJ 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 Glen Gardner, 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: 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Glen Gardner, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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