This 85.2-mile drive from Linwood, NJ to Middletown, NJ is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 46 minutes. With 90% of the journey on highways, it's a primarily high-speed route. The estimated fuel cost is around $14, and since it's a relatively short distance, it's perfectly suited for a single-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on the Garden State Parkway, making this a focused drive through the Northeast region of New Jersey. Plan for a smooth, efficient journey without the need for overnight stays.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.6 miles from Linwood, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
76.5 mi
1h 29m
Shore Road
2.1 mi
3m
Tilton Road
2.1 mi
3m
Holland Road
1.1 mi
2m
Van Schoick Road
1 mi
1m
Fire Road
0.4 mi
<1m
Red Hill Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Kings Highway
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 76.5 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Linwood, NJ and Middletown, NJ.
1
Start on CR 585
2.1 mi·3 min·Shore Road
2
Turn slight left onto CR 563
2.1 mi·3 min·Tilton Road
Use the left / slight left lanes.
3
Turn right onto CR 651
0.4 mi·54 sec·Fire Road
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto US 40; US 322
0.2 mi·19 sec·Black Horse Pike
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward GSP Toll North
6
Merge onto GSP
17 mi·19 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
50 mi·58 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·31 sec
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi·9 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto GSP
9.1 mi·10 min·Garden State Parkway
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 114Toward Holmdel, MiddletownUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn right onto CR 52
440 ft·11 sec·Red Hill Road
13
Continue on CR 52
1.0 mi·1 min·Van Schoick Road
14
Turn right onto Holland Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Holland Road
15
Turn left onto Red Hill Road
0.2 mi·33 sec·Red Hill Road
16
Turn right onto Kings Highway
0.3 mi·43 sec·Kings Highway
17
Arrive at destination
CR 50
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 46 minute duration, this trip offers great flexibility; you can leave whenever suits you best. With only 85.2 miles and a $14 fuel cost, you won't need to worry much about frequent stops for gas. The longest stretch on the Garden State Parkway is 76.5 miles, so plan to take a break before or after that significant segment if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the Parkway, as services can sometimes be spread out. A good tip is to check traffic conditions on the Garden State Parkway before you depart, as it's a major artery and can experience congestion.
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 Linwood, NJ, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.5 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 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.6 miles or 52m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Middletown, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Linwood, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Linwood, NJ
This is one driving day of about 85.2 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Linwood, 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 76.5 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.2 and 82 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4.2 mi into trip|~7m in|CR 651 / Fire Road
Turn right onto CR 651 / Fire Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
4.8 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the exit toward GSP Toll North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward GSP Toll North
5
5 mi into trip|~9m in|GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
22.1 mi into trip|~28m in|GSP / Garden State Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
82 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward Holmdel, Middletown
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 114
Toward Holmdel, Middletown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.13 one way
$28.25 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$15.47
$30.94
premium
$4.93
$16.52
$33.05
diesel
$5.61
$18.81
$37.62
Estimated Tolls: $4.59
Garden State Parkway
(76.5 mi)$4.59
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
$14
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
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, 2026-04-13.
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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Linwood, NJ
Night
in Linwood on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Middletown, NJ
Night
in Middletown on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°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
3 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 46m 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.
Gateway National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 85.2
Park Closure: Dead Horse Bay (Brooklyn) Remains Closed to the Public
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...
28 mi from route
~69 min detour
$10
near mile 85.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for this 85.2-mile trip, with 90% of the route utilizing major roadways like the Garden State Parkway, Shore Road, and Tilton Road. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 76.5 miles on the Garden State Parkway, indicating a consistent flow of traffic and minimal need for frequent turns. This profile suggests a drive characterized by steady speeds and broad, open sections, rather than winding local roads or city navigation. You'll likely find the drive progresses with a predictable rhythm, allowing for a relaxed pace behind the wheel.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.5 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Shore Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.2 miles in near CR 651 / Fire Road.
Driving Effort9/10
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 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 4.2 miles (CR 651 / Fire Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 5 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Linwood, NJ to Middletown, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Gsp Toll North along the way.
Gsp Toll North
4.8 mi in|~8m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 85.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76.5 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.59 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 Middletown, 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 4.2 miles (CR 651 / Fire Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 5 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Gateway National Recreation Area and Thomas Edison National Historical Park. 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 Middletown, NJ before heading back.
