Origin
Middletown, NJ
Morning in Middletown on Sunday
Local time
10:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Middletown, NJ to New Milford, 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 16m
Distance
53.1 mi
85 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 11m
★
6 AM
1h 17m
8 AM
1h 29m
10 AM
1h 21m
12 PM
1h 20m
3 PM
1h 21m
5 PM
1h 28m
8 PM
1h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Middletown, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
New Milford, NJ
Tashaud Bullock
Trip Overview
This 53.1-mile drive from Middletown, NJ, to New Milford, NJ, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 16 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion, with no need for an overnight stay. You'll primarily be on the New Jersey Turnpike, its Western Spur, and the Garden State Parkway, making it a highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $9, this route is quite budget-friendly for a quick journey within the Northeast region. The drive offers a practical way to navigate between these two New Jersey locales.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike | 14 mi | 17m |
| New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur | 10.7 mi | 14m |
| Garden State Parkway | 10.6 mi | 13m |
| NJ 35 | 5.2 mi | 8m |
| South River Street | 2 mi | 3m |
| River Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Hackensack Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 14 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Middletown, NJ and New Milford, 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
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 129
Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Trenton
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
9
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
10
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
this road
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
12
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
14 mi
·
17 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; NJTP
11 mi
·
14 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
1.9 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 80 West: Paterson
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 80 West Local: Hackensack
Use the slight right lane.
16
Continue on I 80
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Christopher Columbus Highway
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 66
Toward Hudson Street, Hackensack, Little Ferry
Use the slight right lane.
18
Continue on East Kennedy Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
East Kennedy Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
19
Turn left onto CR 503; CR 49
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
South River Street
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on CR 503; CR 49
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Hackensack Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on CR 49
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
New Bridge Road
22
Continue on CR 49
526 ft
·
14 sec
·
Roemer Avenue
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on CR 49
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Roemer Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto CR 41
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
River Road
25
Turn right onto Cedar Road
0.2 mi
·
51 sec
·
Cedar Road
26
Turn right onto Plympton Street
270 ft
·
11 sec
·
Plympton Street
27
Arrive at destination
Plympton Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26.5 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 5.7 and 47 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.7 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the exit toward GSP: Clark Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward GSP: Clark Street
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
17 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Take the exit toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Trenton
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 129
Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Trenton
7
45.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 West Local: Hackensack
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 80 West Local: Hackensack
8
47 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
Take the exit toward Hudson Street, Hackensack, Little Ferry
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 66
Toward Hudson Street, Hackensack, Little Ferry
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.80 one way
$17.61 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $9.64 | $19.28 |
| premium | $4.93 | $10.30 | $20.60 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.72 | $23.45 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.10
New Jersey Turnpike
(24.7 mi)
$3.46
Garden State Parkway
(10.6 mi)
$0.64
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Tolls
$4
Total
$13
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.9 | 0 | $5.58 | $2.55 |
| Efficient EV | 13.3 | 0 | $4.65 | $2.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.2 | 0 | $7.43 | $3.40 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% 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
New Milford, NJ
Morning in New Milford on Sunday
Local time
10:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
23 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 16m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-centric experience for this trip, with 76% of the drive taking place on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 14 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike, offering a consistent pace. While largely a straightforward highway drive, the transitions between the New Jersey Turnpike, its Western Spur, and the Garden State Parkway will mark the primary changes in your journey. This route prioritizes efficient travel over scenic detours, keeping you moving steadily toward your destination.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 14 mi on New Jersey Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.7 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 53.1 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 5.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 New Milford, NJ, road signs point toward Local, All Exits, Njtp: New York City, Trenton, Njtp North: New York City and Hackensack - among others.
Local
6.2 mi in
|
~10m
All Exits
6.2 mi in
|
~10m
Njtp: New York City
17 mi in
|
~24m
Trenton
17 mi in
|
~24m
Njtp North: New York City
18 mi in
|
~26m
Hackensack
47 mi in
|
~1h 5m
Little Ferry
47 mi in
|
~1h 5m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 16m. Total distance: 53.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 14 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.10 in tolls one way, starting with New Jersey Turnpike. 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 New Milford, 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 5.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area (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 New Milford, 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.
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