Middletown, NJ to Beattystown, NJ is 60.1 miles and takes about 1h 24m via I 287 and NJ 35, with a fuel budget near $10 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, traveling solely within New Jersey. The route is mostly highway, so you'll cover ground quickly. Given its short duration and manageable fuel cost, this is a straightforward drive for a single day, ideal for a quick errand or visit.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 287
20.3 mi
23m
NJ 35
14.2 mi
21m
Old Turnpike Road
5.3 mi
9m
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
4.6 mi
5m
Schooley's Mountain Road
4 mi
6m
Fairmount Road
3.6 mi
5m
NJ 440
1.7 mi
2m
Oldwick Road
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 287
— 20.3 mi, about 23m
Traffic on I-78
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,869 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~481 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Middletown, NJ and Beattystown, NJ.
1
Start on CR 50
0.2 mi·25 sec·Kings Highway
2
Turn left onto CR 50
0.3 mi·32 sec·New Monmouth Road
3
Turn left onto NJ 35
14 mi·21 min·NJ 35
Use the right lane.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward NJ 440: Raritan Center, Perth Amboy, Staten IslandUse the slight right lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork
420 ft·10 sec
Toward NJ 440 South: Raritan CenterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·47 sec
Toward NJ 440 South: Raritan CenterUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 440
8
Merge onto NJ 440
1.7 mi·2 min·NJ 440
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 287
18 mi·20 min·I 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 287
2.7 mi·3 min·I 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
1.4 mi·1 min
Exit 21BToward I 78 West: Easton, PennsylvaniaUse the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Merge onto I 78
4.6 mi·5 min·Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 24Toward CR 523: Oldwick, WhitehouseUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto CR 523
1.1 mi·1 min·Oldwick Road
15
Continue on CR 517
0.5 mi·1 min·Main Street
16
Continue on CR 517
5.3 mi·9 min·Old Turnpike Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on CR 517
3.6 mi·5 min·Fairmount Road
18
Continue on CR 517
4.0 mi·6 min·Schooley's Mountain Road
19
Turn left onto Newburg Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Newburg Road
20
Turn left onto NJ 57
0.9 mi·1 min·Rt 57
Use the left lane.
21
Arrive at destination
NJ 57
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 30.1 miles from Middletown, 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.7 and 43.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
14.7 mi into trip|~22m in
Take the exit toward NJ 440: Raritan Center, Perth Amboy, Staten Island
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 NJ 440: Raritan Center, Perth Amboy, Sta...
8
14.9 mi into trip|~22m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 440 South: Raritan Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 440 South: Raritan Center
7
15 mi into trip|~22m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 440 South: Raritan Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward NJ 440 South: Raritan Center
8
37.8 mi into trip|~50m in
Take the exit toward I 78 West: Easton, Pennsylvania
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 21B
Toward I 78 West: Easton, Pennsylvania
8
43.9 mi into trip|~57m in
Take the exit toward CR 523: Oldwick, Whitehouse
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 24
Toward CR 523: Oldwick, Whitehouse
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.58 one way
$19.17 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg21 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$10.61
$21.21
premium
$4.81
$11.38
$22.75
diesel
$4.80
$11.35
$22.70
Estimated Tolls: $0.37
Old Turnpike Road
(5.3 mi)$0.37
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Tolls
$0
Total
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 21 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
18
0
$6.31
$2.88
Efficient EV
15
0
$5.26
$2.40
EV Truck/SUV
24
0
$8.41
$3.85
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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 Jul 14, 2026
Origin
Middletown, NJ
Morning
in Middletown on Monday
Local time
7:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
97°F
Sunny
W 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 14 at 3:06PM EDT until July 15 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 14 at 3:06PM EDT until July 15 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Beattystown, NJ
Morning
in Beattystown on Monday
Local time
7:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny
W 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 14 at 3:06PM EDT until July 15 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 14 at 3:06PM EDT until July 15 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
63°F
Weston, NJ
30 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
5 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 24m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 78% of this 60.1-mile route on highways, you'll experience a significant amount of driving on major roads. The longest continuous stretch on I 287 spans 20.3 miles. Expect a transition from highway cruising to surface roads as you approach your destination. The prevalence of highway driving means you'll encounter a higher density of exits and faster speeds for most of the trip.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 20.3 mi on I 287.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 287 and NJ 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.7 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 60.1 miles you will encounter 13 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 14.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,037 ft6 ft
Total Climb
1,108 ft
Total Descent
748 ft
Highest Point
1,037 ft
~55.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,031 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Middletown, NJ and Beattystown, NJ, road signs point toward Perth Amboy, Staten Island, Pennsylvania, Cr 523: Oldwick and Whitehouse.
Perth Amboy
14.7 mi in|~22m
Staten Island
14.7 mi in|~22m
Pennsylvania
37.8 mi in|~50m
Cr 523: Oldwick
43.9 mi in|~57m
Whitehouse
43.9 mi in|~57m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Middletown is a bedroom community of New York City in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Middletown sits on the Raritan Bay within the Raritan Valley region. This article also covers Highlands borough.
Residents like Middletown for its central location and proximity to the rest of the Jersey Shore.
Top landmarks
•Sandy Hook Light — lighthouse in New Jersey, United States
•All Saint's Memorial Church — historic church in Navesink, New Jersey
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 24m. Total distance: 60.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 20.3 miles on I 287. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.37 in tolls one way, starting with Old Turnpike Road. 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.
Yes — we found about 4 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Beattystown, 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 14.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Morristown National Historical Park, Gateway National Recreation Area and Thomas Edison National Historical Park (5 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 Beattystown, NJ before heading back.
