Traveling from Midland Park to Lakewood covers a straightforward 66.9-mile journey across New Jersey. You can expect to spend about 1 hour and 38 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With 88% of the route consisting of highway driving, the trip is highly efficient for those looking to reach their destination quickly. You should budget approximately $11 for fuel to cover the distance. Because both points are located within the Northeast region, the transition is seamless and familiar for locals. It is an ideal route if you prioritize speed and simplicity over a leisurely, multi-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
33.5 miles from Midland Park, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US Highway 9
25.9 mi
38m
Garden State Parkway
25 mi
34m
Garden State Parkway Southbound
6.2 mi
8m
Goffle Road
4 mi
6m
NJ 19
2 mi
2m
Madison Avenue
1 mi
2m
East Main Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Main Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US Highway 9
— 25.9 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Midland Park, NJ and Lakewood, NJ.
1
Start on this road
21 ft·8 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto CR 84
0.3 mi·27 sec·Godwin Avenue
3
Turn right onto CR 84
4.0 mi·6 min·Goffle Road
4
Continue on CR 504
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Main Street
5
Continue on CR 504
0.3 mi·33 sec·Holsman Street
6
Continue on CR 509
0.2 mi·37 sec·Presidential Boulevard
7
Turn left onto CR 509
0.2 mi·22 sec·Main Street
8
Turn right onto Memorial Drive
409 ft·14 sec·Memorial Drive
Use the right lane.
9
Turn left onto CR 509
0.1 mi·11 sec·West Broadway
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto CR 509
0.3 mi·36 sec·Main Street
11
Turn right onto NJ 19
397 ft·9 sec·Ward Street
Use the right lane.
12
Continue on NJ 19
0.2 mi·17 sec·Oliver Street
13
Turn slight left onto NJ 19
2.0 mi·2 min·NJ 19
Use the slight left lane.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward GSP SouthUse the slight left lane.
15
Merge onto GSP
24 mi·33 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Continue on Garden State Parkway
6.2 mi·8 min·Garden State Parkway Southbound
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi·49 sec·Garden State Parkway
18
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
0.4 mi·29 sec·Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 123Toward US 9 South: Sayreville, Old BridgeUse the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto US 9
26 mi·38 min·US Highway 9
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on US 9
1.0 mi·2 min·Madison Avenue
22
Turn left onto 8th Street
46 ft·2 sec·8th Street
Use the left lane.
23
Arrive at destination
8th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 1-hour and 38-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns. Since there are no designated stops on this 66.9-mile route, ensure you are fueled up and ready before you head out to avoid unnecessary detours. Keep an eye on your navigation system as you transition between the Garden State Parkway and US Highway 9, as these junctions can be busy depending on the time of day. Because the drive is short, you do not need to worry about overnight logistics, allowing you to easily complete the trip in a single afternoon. If you are traveling during peak commuting hours, try to time your departure to avoid the heaviest congestion on these major New Jersey arteries.
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 33.5 miles from Midland Park, NJ, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.9 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 15 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33.5 miles or 49m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakewood, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Midland Park, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Midland Park, NJ
This is one driving day of about 66.9 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Midland Park, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US Highway 9 for about 25.9 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.3 and 39.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.3 mi into trip|~9m in|Memorial Drive
Turn right onto Memorial Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
5.4 mi into trip|~10m in|CR 509 / West Broadway
Turn left onto CR 509 / West Broadway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
5.8 mi into trip|~10m in|NJ 19 / Ward Street
Turn right onto NJ 19 / Ward Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
8 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit toward GSP South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward GSP South
8
39.7 mi into trip|~57m in
Take the exit toward US 9 South: Sayreville, Old Bridge
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 123
Toward US 9 South: Sayreville, Old Bridge
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.09 one way
$22.18 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg23 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$12.15
$24.29
premium
$4.93
$12.97
$25.95
diesel
$5.61
$14.77
$29.54
Estimated Tolls: $1.87
Garden State Parkway
(31.2 mi)$1.87
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
$11
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20.1
0
$7.02
$3.21
Efficient EV
16.7
0
$5.85
$2.68
EV Truck/SUV
26.8
0
$9.37
$4.28
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Midland Park, NJ
Morning
in Midland Park on Sunday
Local time
6:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lakewood, NJ
Morning
in Lakewood on Sunday
Local time
6:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°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
1h 38m 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.
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 6.9
Caution: Limited Amphitheater Accessibility
Caution: Overlook Park Parking Lot - Vehicles Must Be Parked in a Designated Spot
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...
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 25.4
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...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 20.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is defined by its efficiency, relying heavily on the Garden State Parkway Southbound to move you through the state. You will spend the vast majority of your time on high-speed roads, punctuated by a 25.9-mile stretch on US Highway 9 that serves as the longest uninterrupted segment of the trip. While the route is largely a highway-focused grind, the transition between these major arteries keeps the experience moving at a steady pace. Expect a consistent, functional driving environment that prioritizes direct travel over winding backroads. Your time behind the wheel will feel focused and purposeful as you navigate these primary transit corridors.
88% 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: 25.9 mi on US Highway 9.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 9 and Garden State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.3 miles in near Memorial Drive.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 66.9 miles you will encounter 15 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 5.3 miles (Memorial Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.4 miles (CR 509 / West Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.8 miles (NJ 19 / Ward Street): 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.
On the drive from Midland Park, NJ to Lakewood, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Gsp South along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 66.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 25.9 miles on US Highway 9. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.87 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 Lakewood, 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 5.3 miles (Memorial Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.4 miles (CR 509 / West Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.8 miles (NJ 19 / Ward Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Morristown National Historical Park (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 Lakewood, NJ before heading back.
