Lakewood to Hope is 85.2 miles and takes about 1 hour 59 minutes via US 202 and NJ 18, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays entirely within New Jersey, connecting two points in the Northeast region. The profile is mostly highway, so expect a relatively straightforward trip with consistent speeds for much of the way. It's a manageable distance for a single day, making it a practical option for getting between these two locations without an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.6 miles from Lakewood, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 202
17.9 mi
28m
NJ 18
16 mi
19m
Christopher Columbus Highway
14.6 mi
16m
I 287
11.7 mi
13m
US Highway 9
7.6 mi
11m
Easton Avenue
3.4 mi
5m
Kozloski Road
3.2 mi
4m
Halls Mill Road
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 202
— 17.9 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakewood, NJ and Hope, 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 BrunswickUse 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 BrookUse 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 right at fork onto I 287
4.5 mi·5 min·I 287
Toward I 78 East: New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 22BToward US 202 North, US 206 North: Bedminster, NetcongUse the right lane.
21
Merge onto US 202; US 206
18 mi·28 min·US 202; US 206
Use the slight right lane.
22
Take the exit onto US 206
0.5 mi·1 min·US 206
Toward I 80 West, US 206 North: Stanhope, Newton
23
Merge onto I 80; US 206
15 mi·16 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 12Toward CR 521: Hope, BlairstownUse the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork
322 ft·10 sec
Toward CR 521 South: HopeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
26
Turn left onto CR 521
1.0 mi·1 min·Hope - Blairstown Road
27
Turn left onto CR 611-M
0.1 mi·11 sec·Millbrook Road
28
Turn slight right onto Walnut Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·Walnut Street
29
Arrive at destination
Walnut Street
Trip Plan
Given this is a short, one-day drive of under two hours, you have a lot of flexibility. Leaving in the morning should get you to Hope with plenty of time to spare. You won't need to worry about splitting this drive, but keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is around $14. The longest stretch without a significant break is 17.9 miles on US 202, so plan to refuel before you hit that point if you're starting with a low tank. There are no designated stops in the data, so plan your own breaks as needed.
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 42.6 miles from Lakewood, NJ, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 17.9 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 19 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.6 miles or 1h 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hope, 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 85.2 miles and 1h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Lakewood, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 202 for about 17.9 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 8.6 and 83.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
50.4 mi into trip|~1h 9m in
Take the exit toward US 202 North, US 206 North: Bedminster, Netcong
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 22B
Toward US 202 North, US 206 North: Bedminster,...
8
83.7 mi into trip|~1h 56m in
Take the exit toward CR 521: Hope, Blairstown
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 12
Toward CR 521: Hope, Blairstown
8
83.9 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CR 521 South: Hope
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward CR 521 South: Hope
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.07 one way
$30.14 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$16.50
$33.01
premium
$5.24
$17.59
$35.18
diesel
$5.35
$17.95
$35.89
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.6
0
$8.95
$4.09
Efficient EV
21.3
0
$7.46
$3.41
EV Truck/SUV
34.1
0
$11.93
$5.45
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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 Jun 3, 2026
Origin
Lakewood, NJ
Evening
in Lakewood on Wednesday
Local time
6:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Clear
NW 0 to 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Hope, NJ
Evening
in Hope on Wednesday
Local time
6:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph1% chanceLive 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
5 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 59m 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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 55.8
Park Closure: Jockey Hollow Comfort Station Temporary Closure (May 5–8)
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,...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
$10
near mile 82.2
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...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
$10
near mile 38.2
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...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 20.6
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 67.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 65% of the 85.2 miles on highways, so expect a good amount of time on faster roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 17.9 miles on US 202. After the highway segments, you'll transition to surface roads for the remainder of the trip. Be prepared for a more varied driving experience as you move from higher-speed travel to potentially more local traffic and intersections.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 17.9 mi on US 202.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 202 and NJ 18. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.6 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 85.2 miles you will encounter 20 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 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; at 50.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
989 ft27 ft
Total Climb
1,092 ft
Total Descent
717 ft
Highest Point
989 ft
~66.9 mi in
Elevation Range
961 ft
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 Hope, NJ, road signs point toward So Bound Brook, Mahwah, Netcong and Newton.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 59m. Total distance: 85.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (65%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 17.9 miles on US 202. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Hope, 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 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; at 50.4 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 (5 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 Hope, NJ before heading back.
