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Trip from Lakewood, NJ to Montvale, 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 52m

Distance

75.2 mi

121 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 44m ★
6 AM
1h 53m
8 AM
2h 9m
10 AM
1h 58m
12 PM
1h 57m
3 PM
1h 59m
5 PM
2h 8m
8 PM
1h 48m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Lakewood, NJ, NJ

Lakewood, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States

Montvale, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Spanning 75.2 miles across the Northeast, this drive connects Lakewood to Montvale in approximately 1 hour and 52 minutes. Because the trip is short and straightforward, it works perfectly as a manageable day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You can expect to budget about $12 for fuel, making this an economical choice for your travel plans. The route primarily utilizes the Garden State Parkway, US Highway 9, and Kinderkamack Road to navigate through New Jersey. Whether you are heading north for business or personal travel, the efficiency of this highway-focused path provides a clear, predictable journey between these two points.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

37.6 miles from Lakewood, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Garden State Parkway 39.8 mi 55m
US Highway 9 26 mi 38m
Kinderkamack Road 3.5 mi 5m
Forest Avenue 1.1 mi 1m
Madison Avenue 1 mi 1m
Oradell Avenue 0.7 mi 1m
3rd Avenue 0.7 mi 1m
4th Avenue 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Garden State Parkway — 39.8 mi, about 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lakewood, NJ and Montvale, 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

26 mi · 38 min · US Highway 9
Use the straight lane.
4

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Toward GSP North: Garden State Parkway
5

Merge onto GSP

40 mi · 55 min · Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Exit 165A-B Toward Ridgewood, Oradell Use the slight right lane.
7

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Exit 165A Toward Oradell Use the slight right lane.
8

Turn right onto CR 80

0.7 mi · 1 min · Oradell Avenue
9

Turn left onto CR 59

1.1 mi · 1 min · Forest Avenue
Use the left lane.
10

Continue on CR 59

0.6 mi · 1 min · 4th Avenue
11

Keep slight right at fork onto CR 59

0.7 mi · 1 min · 3rd Avenue
12

At end of road, turn right onto CR 502; CR 110

309 ft · 7 sec · Washington Avenue
13

Continue on CR 110

0.2 mi · 28 sec · Westwood Avenue
14

Turn left onto CR 503

3.5 mi · 5 min · Kinderkamack Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
15

Turn right onto CR 94

0.3 mi · 39 sec · Grand Avenue East
16

Turn left onto Hillcrest Avenue

0.3 mi · 1 min · Hillcrest Avenue
17

Continue on Myrtle Street

423 ft · 18 sec · Myrtle Street
18

Continue on Penn Avenue

363 ft · 15 sec · Penn Avenue
19

Arrive at destination

Penn Avenue

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively quick trip, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns to avoid the busiest commuting hours. There are no mandatory stops scheduled for this 75.2-mile distance, allowing you to complete the journey in one continuous push if you prefer. Keep in mind that the $12 fuel estimate is based on typical conditions, so ensure your tank is topped off before you merge onto the Garden State Parkway. Because the route relies so heavily on major highways, check your navigation app for real-time construction or congestion alerts before you head out. Utilizing the full capacity of your morning or afternoon window will ensure you arrive in Montvale without unnecessary delays.

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 37.6 miles from Lakewood, NJ, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.8 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 17 miles or 25m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 37.6 miles or 56m 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 33m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Montvale, 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 75.2 miles and 1h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Lakewood, 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 39.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

38 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

Staten Island, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 37.6 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Piramida Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Manalapan Township, New Jersey

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $100 or ab mile 16.1

Hours: 1–10 pm

+17328515000

Visit website

Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Union, New Jersey

1 mi

Vincent’s Italian Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Freehold, New Jersey

1.4 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Eagle Rock Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Montclair, New Jersey

Later in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 53.7

Hours: 7:30 am–5:30 pm

+19733586543

Visit website

Piramida Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $100 or ab mile 16.1

Manalapan Township, New Jersey

Hours: 1–10 pm

+17328515000

Visit website

Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately mile 43

Union, New Jersey

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+19083966401

Visit website

Vincent’s Italian Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $30 to $50 mile 10.7

Freehold, New Jersey

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+17324146078

Visit website

Chuck E. Cheese

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 64.5

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12014871088

Visit website

Sage Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 64.5

Fair Lawn, New Jersey

Hours: 4–9 pm

+12017970500

Visit website

Oasis Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $30 to $50 mile 43

Cranford, New Jersey

Hours: 12–9:30 pm

+19089676161

Visit website

Giorgio's Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately mile 48.4

South Orange Village, New Jersey

Hours: 12–3 pm

+19737624440

Visit website

Fusion 27 restaurant and catering services

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately mile 59.1

Totowa, New Jersey

Hours: 11:30 am–3 pm

+19735955595

Visit website

Eagle Rock Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 53.7

Montclair, New Jersey

Hours: 7:30 am–5:30 pm

+19733586543

Visit website

Marimba Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 64.5

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12012563010

Visit website

Wonderland Play and Party

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 64.5

South Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+12014265898

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 10.7

Freehold, New Jersey

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 10.7

Freehold, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 53.7

Belleville, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 21.5

Old Bridge, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Electrify America Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 10.7

Freehold, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 10.7

Freehold, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 43

Union, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 37.6

Clark, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Fords Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 32.2

Woodbridge, New Jersey

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+17327453900

Visit website

iFLY Indoor Skydiving- Paramus

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 64.5

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 10:30 am–8:30 pm

+12017334359

Visit website

Catch Air Paramus

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 64.5

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+12016202125

Visit website

Nomahegan Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 43

Cranford, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+19085274900

Visit website

Military Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 48.4

Newark, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19739005800

Visit website

Shooting Zone

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 64.5

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 12–9 pm

+12014401329

Visit website

Ready to Golf

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 64.5

River Edge, New Jersey

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+16093887728

Visit website

Cornucopia Cruise Lines

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 26.9

Perth Amboy, New Jersey

+17326979500

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 68.3 — 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.
5
27.4 mi into trip | ~42m in | GSP / Garden State Parkway

Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
8
67.2 mi into trip | ~1h 37m in

Take the exit toward Ridgewood, Oradell

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 165A-B Toward Ridgewood, Oradell
9
67.4 mi into trip | ~1h 38m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Oradell

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 165A Toward Oradell
6
68.3 mi into trip | ~1h 39m in | CR 59 / Forest Avenue

Turn left onto CR 59 / Forest Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.47 one way

$24.93 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 26 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $13.65 $27.31
premium $4.93 $14.58 $29.17
diesel $5.61 $16.60 $33.21

Estimated Tolls: $2.39

Garden State Parkway (39.8 mi) $2.39

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

$12

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 26.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 22.6 0 $7.90 $3.61
Efficient EV 18.8 0 $6.58 $3.01
EV Truck/SUV 30.1 0 $10.53 $4.81

Gas CO2

26 kg

EV CO2

9 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Lakewood, NJ

Morning in Lakewood on Sunday

Local time

6:23 AM

EDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Montvale, NJ

Morning in Montvale on Sunday

Local time

6:23 AM

EDT

Current temp

51°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

19 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 52m 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?

Expect a commute dominated by major thoroughfares, as highway travel accounts for 87% of your total drive time. The experience is defined by a consistent, fast-paced rhythm, highlighted by a significant 39.8-mile stretch on the Garden State Parkway. While the initial sections rely heavily on high-speed interstate driving, the character of the road shifts as you transition onto local arteries like Kinderkamack Road. You will find that the drive feels like a standard highway grind, prioritizing utility and speed over scenic detours. Stay focused behind the wheel, as the transition from heavy-traffic parkway lanes to the smaller, more localized roads requires a quick adjustment in your driving style.

87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 39.8 mi on Garden State Parkway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and US Highway 9. 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 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 75.2 miles you will encounter 13 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 27.4 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.2 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 Lakewood, NJ and Montvale, NJ, road signs point toward Ridgewood and Oradell.

Ridgewood

67.2 mi in | ~1h 37m

Oradell

67.2 mi in | ~1h 37m

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 52m. Total distance: 75.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 39.8 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $2.39 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 Montvale, 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 27.4 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.2 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 Montvale, 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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