Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
40m
Distance
23.8 mi
38 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Middlesex, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
East Orange, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
This straightforward 23.8-mile drive from Middlesex to East Orange, New Jersey, is designed for a single day, taking about 40 minutes. You'll primarily be on major roadways, with 87% of the journey on highways, making it a quick trip. The estimated fuel cost is around $4, reflecting the efficiency of this predominantly highway-focused route. Given its short distance and duration, no overnight stays are necessary. This route stays within the Northeast region, offering a direct connection between two points in New Jersey without significant regional transitions.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 22 | 15.4 mi | 24m |
| Garden State Parkway | 3.8 mi | 5m |
| South Oraton Parkway | 1 mi | 1m |
| Mountain Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Maybaum Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Greenbrook Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Parkway Drive | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Speedway Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Middlesex, NJ and East Orange, NJ.
Start on Mountain Avenue
Turn left onto NJ 28
Turn slight right onto Ramsey Road
At end of road, turn right onto Greenbrook Road
Continue on Sebrings Mills Road
Turn right onto US 22
Continue on US 22
Continue on US 22
Take the exit
Merge onto GSP
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Eastern Parkway
Continue on Speedway Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto CR 510
Turn slight right onto Maybaum Avenue
Continue on Birchwood Avenue
Continue on South Oraton Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto South Oraton Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto Parkway Drive
Turn sharp left onto North Arlington Avenue
Turn slight left onto Parkway Drive
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 23.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
At end of road, turn right onto Greenbrook Road
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward CR 510
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
At end of road, turn left onto CR 510 / South Orange Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto South Oraton Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Turn sharp left onto North Arlington Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$3.95 one way
$7.89 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $4.32 | $8.64 |
| premium | $4.93 | $4.62 | $9.23 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.25 | $10.51 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.23
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Tolls
$0
Total
$4
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.1 | 0 | $2.50 | $1.14 |
| Efficient EV | 6 | 0 | $2.08 | $0.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.33 | $1.52 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Middlesex on Sunday
Local time
12:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Scattered Rain Showers
Destination
Afternoon in East Orange on Sunday
Local time
12:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Chance Rain Showers
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 23.8-mile trip, with 87% of your journey on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 15.4 miles, primarily on US 22. This means you'll experience extended periods of consistent highway driving, interspersed with transitions onto the Garden State Parkway and South Oraton Parkway. The character is largely about efficiently covering distance rather than scenic exploration, with a focus on maintaining momentum.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 22 and Garden State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near Greenbrook Road.
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 11 decision points packed into just 23.8 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 40m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (Greenbrook Road): Navigation decision point; at 21.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.6 miles (CR 510 / South Orange Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Middlesex, NJ and East Orange, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp Toll North: Paterson and Cr 510.
Gsp Toll North: Paterson
Cr 510
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 40m. Total distance: 23.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
40m 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.
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 options from Middlesex, NJ or browse trips ending in East Orange, NJ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NJ road trips.
