Middletown, NJ to Buena, NJ is 90.4 miles and takes about 2h 4m via NJ 70 and Garden State Parkway, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Jersey, taking you from the Northeast region south to a different part of the same region. The route is mostly highway, making it a straightforward drive for a single day. It's a relatively short distance, so it's ideal for a quick day trip or a segment of a larger journey without requiring an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.2 miles from Middletown, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NJ 70
33.8 mi
48m
Garden State Parkway
19.6 mi
22m
US 206
17.8 mi
23m
12th Street
6.5 mi
8m
Middletown Lincroft Road
4.4 mi
7m
Buena-Hammonton Road
2.3 mi
2m
Bellevue Avenue
1.1 mi
2m
Newman Springs Road
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
NJ 70
— 33.8 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Middletown, NJ and Buena, NJ.
1
Start on CR 50
35 ft·7 sec·Kings Highway
2
Turn left onto CR 50
0.3 mi·34 sec·Church Street
3
Continue on CR 50
4.4 mi·7 min·Middletown Lincroft Road
4
Turn left onto CR 520
1.1 mi·1 min·Newman Springs Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward GSP Toll South
6
Merge onto GSP
20 mi·22 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 89C-B-AToward NJ 70, CR 528: Lakehurst, BrickUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 89B-AToward NJ 70: Brick, Lakehurst
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 89BToward NJ 70 West: LakehurstUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto NJ 70
9.0 mi·14 min·NJ 70
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Enter roundabout
0.1 mi·11 sec
Toward NJ 70 West: Joint Base MDL McGuire Dix, Cherry Hill
12
Continue
260 ft·4 sec
Toward NJ 70 West: Joint Base MDL McGuire Dix, Cherry Hill
13
Continue on NJ 70
17 mi·23 min·NJ 70
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Enter roundabout onto NJ 70
444 ft·5 sec·NJ 70
Toward NJ 70 West: Medford, Cherry Hill
15
Continue on NJ 70
7.7 mi·10 min·NJ 70
Toward NJ 70 West: Medford, Cherry Hill
16
Enter roundabout onto US 206
0.2 mi·11 sec·US 206
Toward US 206 South: Hammonton, Atlantic City
17
Continue on US 206
18 mi·23 min·US 206
Toward US 206 South: Hammonton, Atlantic CityUse the left lane.
18
Continue on NJ 54
501 ft·11 sec·Bellevue Avenue/END Route 54
Use the straight lane.
19
At end of road, turn left onto NJ 54
1.1 mi·2 min·Bellevue Avenue
20
Continue on NJ 54; CR 561
6.5 mi·8 min·12th Street
21
Continue on NJ 54
2.3 mi·2 min·Buena-Hammonton Road
22
Continue on NJ 54
0.7 mi·52 sec·Hammonton Road
23
Continue on NJ 54
1.0 mi·1 min·Blue Anchor Road
24
Turn left
189 ft·16 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 4m duration, starting your drive in the morning is best to maximize daylight and avoid potential evening traffic. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility with when you depart. There are no specific stops recommended, but you'll want to keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially since the estimated fuel cost is around $15. The longest stretch is over 30 miles, so plan for a quick stop before or after that segment if you prefer not to drive that far without a break. Pay attention to the exits on NJ 70 as you get closer to your destination.
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 45.2 miles from Middletown, NJ, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.8 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 20 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.2 miles or 1h 3m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buena, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Middletown, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Middletown, NJ
This is one driving day of about 90.4 miles and 2h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Middletown, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on NJ 70 for about 33.8 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 25.7 and 53 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
25.7 mi into trip|~33m in
Take the exit toward NJ 70, CR 528: Lakehurst, Brick
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 89C-B-A
Toward NJ 70, CR 528: Lakehurst, Brick
7
26 mi into trip|~34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 70: Brick, Lakehurst
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 89B-A
Toward NJ 70: Brick, Lakehurst
8
26.4 mi into trip|~34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 70 West: Lakehurst
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 89B
Toward NJ 70 West: Lakehurst
6
35.8 mi into trip|~50m in
Enter roundabout toward NJ 70 West: Joint Base MDL McGuire Dix, Cherry Hill
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NJ 70 West: Joint Base MDL McGuire Dix,...
6
53 mi into trip|~1h 14m in|NJ 70
Enter roundabout onto NJ 70 toward NJ 70 West: Medford, Cherry Hill
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NJ 70 West: Medford, Cherry Hill
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.99 one way
$29.97 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$16.41
$32.83
premium
$4.93
$17.53
$35.06
diesel
$5.61
$19.96
$39.92
Estimated Tolls: $1.18
Garden State Parkway
(19.6 mi)$1.18
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
$15
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.1
0
$9.49
$4.34
Efficient EV
22.6
0
$7.91
$3.62
EV Truck/SUV
36.2
0
$12.66
$5.79
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% 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
Middletown, NJ
Evening
in Middletown on Sunday
Local time
5:57 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Buena, NJ
Evening
in Buena on Sunday
Local time
5:57 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°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
25 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
2h 4m 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.
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
Park Closure: Dead Horse Bay (Brooklyn) Remains Closed to the Public
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on the highway for about 79% of this 90.4-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 33.8 miles on NJ 70. After the highway portions, expect to transition to more typical surface road driving. The route involves a significant amount of highway cruising, which means you'll encounter frequent exits and potential traffic as you approach urban or suburban areas.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 33.8 mi on NJ 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NJ 70 and Garden State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 25.7 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 90.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 25.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Buena, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp Toll South, Cr 528: Lakehurst, Brick, Lakehurst, Cherry Hill and Atlantic City.
Gsp Toll South
5.8 mi in|~10m
Cr 528: Lakehurst
25.7 mi in|~33m
Brick
25.7 mi in|~33m
Lakehurst
26 mi in|~34m
Cherry Hill
35.8 mi in|~50m
Atlantic City
60.8 mi in|~1h 24m|via US 206
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 4m. Total distance: 90.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 33.8 miles on NJ 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.18 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.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 Buena, NJ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 25.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Gateway National Recreation Area and Thomas Edison National Historical Park. 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 Buena, NJ before heading back.
