This 77.3-mile journey from Mahwah, NJ to Lakewood, NJ is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 49 minutes. Given its relatively short duration and a highway share of 95%, this route is perfectly suited as a single-day trip, eliminating the need for an overnight stop. Expect a fuel cost of approximately $13 for this drive. Both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region, keeping the drive entirely within New Jersey. This route offers a practical and efficient way to travel between these two points, with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.7 miles from Mahwah, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US Highway 9
25.9 mi
38m
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
20.6 mi
26m
NJ 17
19.5 mi
24m
Garden State Parkway
4.2 mi
5m
Franklin Turnpike
1.4 mi
2m
Exit to GSP and US Route 9
1.4 mi
2m
Madison Avenue
1 mi
2m
NJ 3
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US Highway 9
— 25.9 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mahwah, NJ and Lakewood, NJ.
1
Start on West Airmount Road
167 ft·10 sec·West Airmount Road
2
Turn right onto CR 507
1.4 mi·2 min·Franklin Turnpike
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
4
Merge onto NJ 17
20 mi·24 min·NJ 17
Use the right lane.
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward NJ 3 East: New York
6
Merge onto NJ 3
0.5 mi·36 sec·NJ 3
7
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward East Rutherford, American Dream, Stadium, Racetrack, Training FacilityUse the slight right lane.
8
Continue on Sheraton Plaza Drive
0.2 mi·22 sec·Sheraton Plaza Drive
9
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 Toll, NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: NewarkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
6.3 mi·8 min·New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; NJTP
14 mi·17 min·New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto Exit 11
1.4 mi·2 min·Exit to GSP and US Route 9
Exit 11Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, WoodbridgeUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge, Perth AmboyUse the slight left lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP Southbound entrance
0.5 mi·1 min·GSP Southbound entrance
Toward GSP South: Garden State ParkwayUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto GSP
3.0 mi·3 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi·49 sec·Garden State Parkway
18
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
0.4 mi·29 sec·Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 123Toward US 9 South: Sayreville, Old BridgeUse the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto US 9
26 mi·38 min·US Highway 9
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on US 9
1.0 mi·2 min·Madison Avenue
22
Turn left onto 8th Street
46 ft·2 sec·8th Street
Use the left lane.
23
Arrive at destination
8th Street
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 49-minute drive covering 77.3 miles, flexibility is your best friend. You can depart anytime without needing to break up the journey, and with a fuel cost around $13, it’s an economical option. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the peak rush hour on the New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur. While there are no designated stops in the data, remember that the longest stretch is over 25 miles, so plan for a quick rest stop if needed before you reach your destination in Lakewood. Keep an eye on traffic conditions, especially as you approach more populated areas.
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 38.7 miles from Mahwah, NJ, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.9 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 17 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.7 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakewood, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Mahwah, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Mahwah, NJ
This is one driving day of about 77.3 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Mahwah, 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 25.9 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 22 and 50.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
22 mi into trip|~28m in
Take the exit toward East Rutherford, American Dream, Stadium, Racetrack, Training Facility
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 East Rutherford, American Dream, Stadium...
8
22.8 mi into trip|~30m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Newark
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Newark
8
43.8 mi into trip|~58m in|Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9
Take the exit onto Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9 toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge
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 11
Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbri...
8
45.2 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Pa...
8
50.1 mi into trip|~1h 8m in
Take the exit toward US 9 South: Sayreville, Old Bridge
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 123
Toward US 9 South: Sayreville, Old Bridge
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.82 one way
$25.63 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$14.04
$28.07
premium
$4.93
$14.99
$29.98
diesel
$5.61
$17.07
$34.13
Estimated Tolls: $3.24
New Jersey Turnpike
(20.6 mi)$2.89
Garden State Parkway
(4.2 mi)$0.25
Franklin Turnpike
(1.4 mi)$0.10
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
$13
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.2
0
$8.12
$3.71
Efficient EV
19.3
0
$6.76
$3.09
EV Truck/SUV
30.9
0
$10.82
$4.95
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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 16, 2026
Origin
Mahwah, NJ
Afternoon
in Mahwah on Sunday
Local time
12:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lakewood, NJ
Afternoon
in Lakewood on Sunday
Local time
12:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°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
2 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 49m 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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 13.3
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...
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 37.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Predominantly a highway-focused drive, 95% of this 77.3-mile trip takes place on major roadways. You'll primarily be on US Highway 9, the New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur, and NJ 17. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 25.9 miles along US Highway 9, offering a consistent pace. This route is designed for efficiency rather than scenic detours, so be prepared for a steady, high-speed experience for most of your time behind the wheel.
95% 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: 25.9 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 Western Spur. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 22 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 77.3 miles you will encounter 18 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 22 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43.8 miles (Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9): 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 Mahwah, NJ and Lakewood, NJ, road signs point toward Rutherford, American Dream, Stadium, Racetrack, Training Facility and Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike - among others.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 49m. Total distance: 77.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 25.9 miles on US Highway 9. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.24 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.
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 Lakewood, 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 22 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43.8 miles (Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9): 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 Lakewood, NJ before heading back.
