Origin
Medford Lakes, NJ
Morning in Medford Lakes on Sunday
Local time
8:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Medford Lakes, NJ to Newark, 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 42m
Distance
77 mi
124 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 35m
★
6 AM
1h 43m
8 AM
1h 58m
10 AM
1h 48m
12 PM
1h 46m
3 PM
1h 49m
5 PM
1h 57m
8 PM
1h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Medford Lakes, NJ
David Kanigan
Trip Overview
This 77-mile drive from Medford Lakes to Newark, New Jersey, can be completed in about 1 hour and 42 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. The primary route utilizes the New Jersey Turnpike, along with Main Street and the Mount Holly Bypass, for a highly efficient journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $13, this trip is budget-friendly. You'll be traveling within the Northeast region, staying entirely within New Jersey for this straightforward connection. This drive is ideal for a quick transit between these two points, requiring no overnight stops.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.5 miles from Medford Lakes, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike | 57 mi | 1h 6m |
| Main Street | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Mount Holly Bypass | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| Stokes Road | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Medford-Mount Holly Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| NJ 21 | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| US 1 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Burlington-Mount Holly Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 57 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Medford Lakes, NJ and Newark, NJ.
1
Start on Indian Trail
428 ft
·
20 sec
·
Indian Trail
2
Turn right onto Big Look Trail
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
Big Look Trail
3
At end of road, turn left onto Bowker Road
357 ft
·
17 sec
·
Bowker Road
4
Turn right onto Mohawk Trail
0.2 mi
·
54 sec
·
Mohawk Trail
5
At end of road, turn left onto CR 541
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Stokes Road
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on CR 541
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
7
Continue on CR 541
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Medford-Mount Holly Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on CR 541
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Main Street
9
Turn left onto CR 541
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Mount Holly Bypass
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Continue on CR 541
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Mount Holly Avenue Bypass
11
Continue on CR 541
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Mount Holly Bypass
12
At end of road, turn left onto CR 541
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Burlington-Mount Holly Road
Use the left lane.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
Toward NJTP: Hancock Lane, All Turns
14
Turn left onto Hancock Lane
306 ft
·
6 sec
·
Hancock Lane
15
Continue on NJ Turnpike Exit 5
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
NJ Turnpike Exit 5
Toward NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
Toward NJTP North: New York
17
Merge onto NJTP
5.1 mi
·
5 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
18
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP
52 mi
·
1 hr
·
New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 13A
Toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport
Use the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto NJ 81
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
NJ 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on US 1; US 9
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
US 1; US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
NJ 21
Toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
24
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
229 ft
·
7 sec
·
Chestnut Street
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto Mulberry Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Mulberry Street
26
Turn left onto CR 510
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Market Street
Use the left lane.
27
Arrive at destination
CR 510
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of just over an hour and a half, you have considerable flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Medford Lakes, NJ, early in the morning, perhaps before 7 AM, can help you avoid the heaviest traffic heading into the Newark area. Since there are no recommended stops, you can decide on the fly if you need a break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch on the New Jersey Turnpike is 57 miles, so plan your refueling accordingly before embarking on that segment.
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 38.5 miles from Medford Lakes, NJ, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57 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 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.5 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newark, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Medford Lakes, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Medford Lakes, NJ
This is one driving day of about 77 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Medford Lakes, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New Jersey Turnpike for about 57 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 38.5 miles from Medford Lakes, 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 185 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 74.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.5 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
CR 541 / Stokes Road
At end of road, turn left onto CR 541 / Stokes Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
8.7 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
CR 541 / Mount Holly Bypass
Turn left onto CR 541 / Mount Holly Bypass
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
13.5 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJTP North: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward NJTP North: New York
8
70.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
Take the exit toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport
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 13A
Toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport
8
74.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
|
NJ 21
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21 toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.77 one way
$25.53 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $13.98 | $27.96 |
| premium | $4.93 | $14.93 | $29.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.00 | $34.00 |
Estimated Tolls: $8.01
New Jersey Turnpike
(57 mi)
$7.98
Nj Turnpike
(0.2 mi)
$0.03
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
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.9 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 | 23.1 | 0 | $8.08 | $3.70 |
| Efficient EV | 19.3 | 0 | $6.74 | $3.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.8 | 0 | $10.78 | $4.93 |
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.
Destination
Newark, NJ
Morning in Newark on Sunday
Local time
8:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Chance Rain Showers
NW 7 mph
27% chance
Live forecast
48°F
Mount Holly, NJ
39 mi in
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
32 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 42m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Thomas Edison National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
$10
near mile 77
Park Closure: Glenmont Mansion and Grounds Closed
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 77
View on nps.gov
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 71.7
View on nps.gov
Morristown National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 74.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for this route, with 80% of your travel on major roadways. The New Jersey Turnpike dominates much of the journey, offering a consistent and direct path. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch here, spanning 57 miles. While largely a high-speed experience, brief segments on Main Street and the Mount Holly Bypass will offer slight variations in your driving environment before you merge back onto the main highway.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57 mi on New Jersey Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and Main Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near CR 541 / Stokes Road.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77 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 0.5 miles (CR 541 / Stokes Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles (CR 541 / Mount Holly Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Medford Lakes, NJ and Newark, NJ, road signs point toward All Turns, Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York, Newark Airport and Elizabeth Seaport.
All Turns
13.1 mi in
|
~22m
Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
13.3 mi in
|
~22m
|
via NJ Turnpike Exit 5
Njtp North: New York
13.5 mi in
|
~23m
Newark Airport
70.8 mi in
|
~1h 30m
Elizabeth Seaport
70.8 mi in
|
~1h 30m
About the Cities
Arriving in Newark, NJ
Full guide →Newark is New Jersey's largest city and second largest in Metro New York. Although one of the great historic cities of the Northeast and the most culture-rich city in the state, Newark is often overlooked in favor of Goliath-like Manhattan and towns along the Hudson River, such as Jersey City and Hoboken. While no longer the industrial powerhouse it once was, Newark remains one of America's major shipping, rail, and air hubs. Public transportation is abundant, making it easy to get to, from, and around the city. Newark has been economically disadvantaged for some time, and suffers from a bad reputation, often informed by negative stereotyping. Thanks in large part to a nationally high-profile mayor (Cory Booker, now a U.S.
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 42m. Total distance: 77 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $8.01 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 Newark, 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 0.5 miles (CR 541 / Stokes Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles (CR 541 / Mount Holly Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Paterson Great Falls 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 Newark, 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.
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