Lakewood, NJ to Wood-Ridge, NJ is 60.1 miles and takes about 1h 31m via US Highway 9 and the New Jersey Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $10 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region and entirely within New Jersey, making it a straightforward hop. Given its relatively short length and predominantly highway profile, it's a practical option for a quick transit between these two points. You'll be covering most of the distance on major roadways, so expect a consistent pace for the bulk of your travel time.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
30 miles from Lakewood, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US Highway 9
26 mi
38m
New Jersey Turnpike
14 mi
17m
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
6.8 mi
9m
Garden State Parkway
4.6 mi
6m
NJ 17
2.3 mi
2m
Madison Avenue
1 mi
1m
NJ 3
0.8 mi
<1m
Moonachie Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US Highway 9
— 26 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakewood, NJ and Wood-Ridge, 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
4.6 mi·6 min·Garden State Parkway
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Exit 129Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, TrentonUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
8
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·1 min·this road
9
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·16 sec·this road
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
11
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
14 mi·17 min·New Jersey Turnpike
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; NJTP
6.8 mi·9 min·New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
1.4 mi·5 min
Exit 16WToward NJ 3: Secaucus, RutherfordUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto NJ 3
0.8 mi·54 sec·NJ 3
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: RutherfordUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: RutherfordUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto NJ 17
2.3 mi·2 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward Moonachie, Wood-RidgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn left onto CR 36
0.3 mi·38 sec·Moonachie Avenue
20
At end of road, turn left onto CR 55
0.2 mi·43 sec·Hackensack Street
21
Turn right onto Union Avenue
0.1 mi·26 sec·Union Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
Union Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 1h 31m drive, leaving during off-peak hours, such as mid-morning or early afternoon, can help you avoid the heaviest traffic. Since it's a short trip, you won't need extensive stops, but consider a brief pause around the halfway point if needed. The fuel cost is estimated at just $10, so you likely won't need to worry about finding a gas station mid-trip. Pay close attention to the signs for the New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur as you near Wood-Ridge, as this is a key navigational point to ensure you stay on the most direct path.
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 30 miles from Lakewood, NJ, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26 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 13 miles or 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 30 miles or 46m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wood-Ridge, 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 60.1 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 13 miles from Lakewood, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US Highway 9 for about 26 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 59.3 — 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.
8
32 mi into trip|~49m 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
54.4 mi into trip|~1h 19m in
Take the exit toward NJ 3: Secaucus, Rutherford
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 16W
Toward NJ 3: Secaucus, Rutherford
8
56.7 mi into trip|~1h 25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 17 North: Rutherford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 17 North: Rutherford
7
59.3 mi into trip|~1h 29m in
Take the exit toward Moonachie, Wood-Ridge
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.
Toward Moonachie, Wood-Ridge
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.96 one way
$19.93 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg21 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$10.91
$21.83
premium
$4.93
$11.66
$23.31
diesel
$5.61
$13.27
$26.54
Estimated Tolls: $3.18
New Jersey Turnpike
(20.8 mi)$2.91
Garden State Parkway
(4.6 mi)$0.27
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
$10
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
18
0
$6.31
$2.88
Efficient EV
15
0
$5.26
$2.40
EV Truck/SUV
24
0
$8.41
$3.85
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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 21, 2026
Origin
Lakewood, NJ
Morning
in Lakewood on Tuesday
Local time
11:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Wood-Ridge, NJ
Morning
in Wood-Ridge on Tuesday
Local time
11:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°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.
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 60.1
Caution: Limited Amphitheater Accessibility
Caution: Overlook Park Parking Lot - Vehicles Must Be Parked in a Designated Spot
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...
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...
15 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 45.6
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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 41.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 91% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 26 miles on US Highway 9. Expect a high density of exits as you transition between US-9 and the New Jersey Turnpike, particularly as you approach the urbanized areas closer to your destination. The final portion will likely involve more merging traffic.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 26 mi on US Highway 9.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 9 and New Jersey Turnpike. 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 Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 60.1 miles you will encounter 17 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 32 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.4 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 Wood-Ridge, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New York City, Trenton, Njtp North: New York City and Rutherford.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 60.1 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 (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 26 miles on US Highway 9. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.18 in tolls one way, starting with New Jersey Turnpike. 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.
Yes — we found about 9 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 Wood-Ridge, 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 32 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, Thomas Edison 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 Wood-Ridge, NJ before heading back.
