Origin
Middletown, NJ
Late night in Middletown on Sunday
Local time
4:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Middletown, NJ to Lake Mohawk, 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 44m
Distance
73.2 mi
118 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 37m
★
6 AM
1h 45m
8 AM
2h 0m
10 AM
1h 50m
12 PM
1h 49m
3 PM
1h 51m
5 PM
1h 59m
8 PM
1h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Middletown, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Lake Mohawk, NJ
Mathias Reding
Trip Overview
Middletown, NJ to Lake Mohawk, NJ is 73.2 miles and takes about 1h 44m via Garden State Parkway, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Jersey, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Expect a drive that's primarily on major highways, making it a straightforward transit rather than a scenic exploration. It’s a relatively short journey, perfect for a single-day excursion when you want to get from point A to point B efficiently. Plan for a drive that prioritizes speed and directness over leisurely sightseeing.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.6 miles from Middletown, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 28 mi | 38m |
| Essex Freeway | 11.5 mi | 14m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 11.4 mi | 13m |
| NJ 15 North | 10 mi | 13m |
| NJ 35 | 5.2 mi | 8m |
| Sparta Avenue | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| West Shore Trail | 1.5 mi | 5m |
| North Shore Trail | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 28 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Middletown, NJ and Lake Mohawk, 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
5.2 mi
·
8 min
·
NJ 35
Use the right lane.
4
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward GSP: Clark Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
Toward Local, All Exits
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto GSP
28 mi
·
38 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 145
Toward I 280, CR 508: Newark, The Oranges
Use the slight right lane.
8
Continue on this road
160 ft
·
3 sec
·
this road
Toward I 280, CR 508: Newark, The Oranges
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 280 West, I 280 East: Orange, West Orange, Newark, Harrison
Use the slight left lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 280 West: The Oranges
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward I 280 West: The Oranges
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 280
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Essex Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 280 West, I 80 West
14
Merge onto I 80
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 34B
Toward NJ 15 North: Sparta, Jefferson
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on NJ 15
10.0 mi
·
13 min
·
NJ 15 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
Toward CR 517: Sparta, Franklin
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn left onto CR 517
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Sparta Avenue
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left onto Pine Terrace
245 ft
·
12 sec
·
Pine Terrace
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto North Shore Trail
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
North Shore Trail
21
At end of road, turn right onto West Shore Trail
425 ft
·
19 sec
·
West Shore Trail
22
Continue on West Shore Trail
1.4 mi
·
5 min
·
West Shore Trail
23
Arrive at destination
West Shore Trail
Trip Plan
Given the 1h 44m duration, this is a comfortable same-day trip. Leaving Middletown, NJ in the morning or early afternoon should provide ample time to reach Lake Mohawk, NJ, without feeling rushed. Since it's a relatively short drive with only 0 planned stops, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $12, and while there are no specific rest stops mentioned, major parkways usually have service areas. A good tip is to ensure your gas tank is at least half full before departing Middletown to maximize your comfort on the highway stretches.
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 36.6 miles from Middletown, NJ, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28 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 16 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.6 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Mohawk, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Middletown, NJ
This is one driving day of about 73.2 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Middletown, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 28 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.6 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 195 decision points cluster between mile 6.2 and 35.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
6.2 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Local, All Exits
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Local, All Exits
8
34.4 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Take the exit toward I 280, CR 508: Newark, The Oranges
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 145
Toward I 280, CR 508: Newark, The Oranges
9
34.7 mi into trip
|
~49m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 280 West, I 280 East: Orange, West Orange, Newark, Harrison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 280 West, I 280 East: Orange, West Ora...
8
34.9 mi into trip
|
~49m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 280 West: The Oranges
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 280 West: The Oranges
8
35.1 mi into trip
|
~50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 280 West: The Oranges
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 280 West: The Oranges
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.14 one way
$24.27 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $13.29 | $26.58 |
| premium | $4.93 | $14.20 | $28.39 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.16 | $32.32 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.68
Garden State Parkway
(28 mi)
$1.68
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
$12
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22 | 0 | $7.69 | $3.51 |
| Efficient EV | 18.3 | 0 | $6.41 | $2.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.3 | 0 | $10.25 | $4.68 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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
Lake Mohawk, NJ
Late night in Lake Mohawk on Sunday
Local time
4:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°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
11 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 44m 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.
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...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
$10
near mile 37.9
Park Closure: Glenmont Mansion and Grounds Closed
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 50.5
View on nps.gov
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...
9 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 40.4
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
View on nps.gov
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Situated within the most densely populated region of the United States, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides a unique opportunity to experience tranquil landscapes, rich human history,...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
$10
near mile 70.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route has a highway-focused profile, with 75% of the drive utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion on the Garden State Parkway, including a longest stretch of 28 miles without needing to exit. The Essex Freeway and Christopher Columbus Highway also contribute to the fast-paced nature of this trip. Expect a consistent driving experience that emphasizes covering distance quickly, typical of journeys dominated by parkways and freeways. The road character remains largely consistent, geared towards efficient travel.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Essex Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.2 miles in.
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 73.2 miles you will encounter 19 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 6.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Middletown, NJ and Lake Mohawk, NJ, road signs point toward Local, All Exits, Cr 508: Newark, The Oranges, Orange and Newark - among others.
Local
6.2 mi in
|
~10m
All Exits
6.2 mi in
|
~10m
Cr 508: Newark
34.4 mi in
|
~48m
The Oranges
34.4 mi in
|
~48m
Orange
34.7 mi in
|
~49m
Newark
34.7 mi in
|
~49m
Harrison
34.7 mi in
|
~49m
Jefferson
58.6 mi in
|
~1h 18m
Cr 517: Sparta
69.3 mi in
|
~1h 33m
Franklin
69.3 mi in
|
~1h 33m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 44m. Total distance: 73.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 28 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.68 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 Lake Mohawk, 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 6.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Morristown National Historical Park and Paterson Great Falls 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 Lake Mohawk, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
More trips to Lake Mohawk, NJ
Explore more options from Middletown, NJ or browse trips ending in Lake Mohawk, NJ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NJ road trips.