Origin
Mendham, NJ
Morning in Mendham on Tuesday
Local time
6:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mendham, NJ to Middletown, NJ
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 11m
Distance
51.6 mi
83 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 5m
★
6 AM
1h 11m
8 AM
1h 22m
10 AM
1h 15m
12 PM
1h 14m
3 PM
1h 16m
5 PM
1h 22m
8 PM
1h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mendham, NJ
Dajana Blakcori
Middletown, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Mendham to Middletown covers 51.6 miles and takes approximately 1 hour and 11 minutes under normal conditions. Because this is a relatively short distance, you can easily complete the entire trip in a single day without needing an overnight stop. Budget about $9 for fuel to account for the highway-focused nature of the journey. You will primarily utilize I-287, the Garden State Parkway, and NJ-35 to navigate through the Northeast region of New Jersey. This route is designed for efficiency rather than leisurely wandering, making it a straightforward choice for commuters or travelers moving between these two points. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that gets you from the interior of the state to the coastal area quickly.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 287 | 26.3 mi | 30m |
| Garden State Parkway | 9.1 mi | 10m |
| NJ 35 | 5.3 mi | 8m |
| Mount Airy Road | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| NJ 440 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Mendham Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Hilltop Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Anderson Hill Road | 1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 287
— 26.3 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mendham, NJ and Middletown, NJ.
1
Start on CR 510
83 ft
·
9 sec
·
Mendham Road
2
Turn left onto CR 525
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Hilltop Road
3
Turn slight left onto CR 525
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Bernardsville Road
4
Continue on CR 525
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Mendham Road
5
Continue on Anderson Hill Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Anderson Hill Road
6
Continue on CR 525
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Mount Airy Road
7
Continue on CR 525
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Mount Airy Road
Use the left lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 287 South: Somerville
9
Merge onto I 287
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
I 287
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 287
21 mi
·
24 min
·
I 287
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Continue on NJ 440
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
NJ 440
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward GSP South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto GSP
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
Garden State Parkway
15
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 117
Toward NJ 35, NJ 36 South: Hazlet, Keyport
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
165 ft
·
4 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward NJ 35: Hazlet
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto NJ 35
5.3 mi
·
8 min
·
NJ 35
20
Turn right onto CR 50
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
New Monmouth Road
21
At end of road, turn right onto CR 50
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Kings Highway
22
Arrive at destination
CR 50
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 25.8 miles from Mendham, 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 155 decision points cluster between mile 13 and 45.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
13 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
I 287
Keep slight left at fork onto I 287
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
35.6 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Take the exit toward GSP South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward GSP South
6
38.4 mi into trip
|
~52m 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 slight left / slight right lanes.
8
45 mi into trip
|
~59m in
Take the exit toward NJ 35, NJ 36 South: Hazlet, Keyport
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 117
Toward NJ 35, NJ 36 South: Hazlet, Keyport
8
45.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 35: Hazlet
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 35: Hazlet
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.55 one way
$17.11 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $9.37 | $18.74 |
| premium | $4.93 | $10.01 | $20.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.39 | $22.79 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.54
Garden State Parkway
(9.1 mi)
$0.54
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Tolls
$1
Total
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.5 | 0 | $5.42 | $2.48 |
| Efficient EV | 12.9 | 0 | $4.52 | $2.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.6 | 0 | $7.22 | $3.30 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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
Middletown, NJ
Morning in Middletown on Tuesday
Local time
6:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 5 to 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
63°F
Edison, NJ
26 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
44 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 11m 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?
Expect a commute defined by high-speed transit, as 82 percent of your drive takes place on major highways. You will spend a significant portion of your time on I-287, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 26.3 miles. The character of the road shifts from the inland interstate atmosphere to the more structured environment of the Garden State Parkway. As you transition onto NJ-35, the pace may adjust, but the overall experience remains focused on steady, highway-speed movement. Being behind the wheel here requires staying alert to merging traffic patterns, as the route is engineered for volume and direct connectivity rather than winding scenery.
82% 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: 26.3 mi on I 287.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 287 and Garden State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13 miles in near I 287.
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 51.6 miles you will encounter 15 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 13 miles (I 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 38.4 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
635 ft
13 ft
Total Climb
197 ft
Total Descent
685 ft
Highest Point
635 ft
~3.7 mi in
Elevation Range
622 ft
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 Mendham, NJ and Middletown, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp South and Keyport.
Gsp South
35.6 mi in
|
~48m
Keyport
45 mi in
|
~59m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 11m. Total distance: 51.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 26.3 miles on I 287. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.54 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 13 miles (I 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 38.4 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Morristown National Historical Park, Gateway National Recreation Area and Thomas Edison 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 Middletown, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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