Origin
Linden, NJ
Afternoon in Linden on Sunday
Local time
12:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Linden, NJ to Trenton, 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 1m
Distance
40.5 mi
65 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 56m
★
6 AM
1h 1m
8 AM
1h 11m
10 AM
1h 5m
12 PM
1h 4m
3 PM
1h 5m
5 PM
1h 11m
8 PM
0h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Linden, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trenton, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Linden to Trenton, you can expect a straightforward 40.5-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 1 minute. This route is best suited for a quick day trip, as it covers a manageable distance within the Northeast region. With a fuel budget of approximately $7, it is an economical drive for commuters or those heading to the state capital. You will primarily navigate via US 1 and the Trenton Freeway, moving efficiently through the corridor. Because the entire trip is easily completed in a single day, there is no need to worry about overnight accommodations or complex logistics.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 1 | 32.4 mi | 47m |
| Trenton Freeway | 3 mi | 4m |
| North Olden Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| East Edgar Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Brunswick Pike | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Hamilton Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South Stiles Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| New York Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 1
— 32.4 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Linden, NJ and Trenton, NJ.
1
Start on West 12th Street
268 ft
·
13 sec
·
West 12th Street
2
Turn right onto South Stiles Street
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
South Stiles Street
3
Turn left onto US 1; US 9
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
East Edgar Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Continue on US 1; US 9
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
US 1; US 9
5
Continue on US 1; US 9
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
US 1; US 9
Use the straight lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
US 1
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on US 1
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 1
7.4 mi
·
11 min
·
US 1
Use the slight right lane.
9
Continue on US 1
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
US 1
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
276 ft
·
4 sec
·
US 1
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
387 ft
·
6 sec
·
US 1
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
US 1
13
Continue on US 1
14 mi
·
19 min
·
US 1
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
16
Merge onto US 1
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Brunswick Pike
17
Continue on US 1
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Trenton Freeway
18
Take the exit
474 ft
·
14 sec
Toward Olden Avenue, New York Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
19
At end of road, turn left onto New York Avenue
481 ft
·
14 sec
·
New York Avenue
20
Turn left onto CR 622
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Olden Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto CR 606
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Hamilton Avenue
22
Turn right onto CR 626
6 ft
·
0 sec
·
Chambers Street
23
Arrive at destination
CR 626
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
20 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 40.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.2 miles from Linden, 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 145 decision points cluster between mile 4.9 and 38.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.9 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
US 1
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
16.3 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
US 1
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
16.4 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
US 1
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
33.9 mi into trip
|
~50m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
7
38.3 mi into trip
|
~56m in
Take the exit toward Olden Avenue, New York Avenue
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 Olden Avenue, New York Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.71 one way
$13.43 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $7.35 | $14.71 |
| premium | $4.93 | $7.85 | $15.71 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.94 | $17.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.2 | 0 | $4.25 | $1.94 |
| Efficient EV | 10.1 | 0 | $3.54 | $1.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.2 | 0 | $5.67 | $2.59 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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
Trenton, NJ
Afternoon in Trenton on Sunday
Local time
12:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 mph
36% chance
Live forecast
71°F
New Brunswick, NJ
20 mi in
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
12 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 1m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 87% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You will find yourself settling into a steady rhythm, highlighted by a significant 32.4-mile stretch along US 1. The transition from Linden toward Trenton involves navigating the Trenton Freeway and eventually onto North Olden Avenue as you approach your destination. While the experience is largely defined by the interstate grind, the road remains consistent and predictable throughout the duration. Expect a functional transit experience that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.4 mi on US 1.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 1 and Trenton Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.9 miles in near US 1.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 40.5 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: at 4.9 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.3 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.4 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
About the Cities
Starting in Linden, NJ
Full guide →Linden is a city of 42,000 people (2019) in New Jersey. Linden is a regional hub of Polish immigration and features a significant number of establishments featuring the food and culture of Poland.
Arriving in Trenton, NJ
Full guide →Trenton is in Mercer County, and is the capital of New Jersey. The city's strategic location in between New York City and Philadelphia has historically contributed to its growth and significantly impacts local culture. Located on the Delaware River across from Pennsylvania, Trenton is the only accessible capital city in the United States to border another state.
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 1m. Total distance: 40.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 32.4 miles on US 1. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 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 Trenton, 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 4.9 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.3 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.4 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Gateway National Recreation Area and Morristown National Historical Park (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 Trenton, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Trenton, NJ
More trips to Trenton, NJ
Explore more options from Linden, NJ or browse trips ending in Trenton, NJ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NJ road trips.