Origin
Mount Olive, NJ
Late night in Mount Olive on Tuesday
Local time
5:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mount Olive, NJ to Lakewood, NJ
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 40m
Distance
65.8 mi
106 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 33m
★
6 AM
1h 40m
8 AM
1h 55m
10 AM
1h 45m
12 PM
1h 44m
3 PM
1h 46m
5 PM
1h 54m
8 PM
1h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mount Olive, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Lakewood, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Mount Olive to Lakewood is 65.8 miles and takes about 1 hour 40 minutes via US Highway 9, US Highway 206, and I 287, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Jersey, connecting two points in the Northeast region. The route is predominantly highway, making it a straightforward drive for a single day. You'll find it's a practical option for a quick transfer or a short excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
32.9 miles from Mount Olive, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 9 | 18.7 mi | 28m |
| US Highway 206 | 14.7 mi | 23m |
| I 287 | 12 mi | 13m |
| State Route 18 | 10.5 mi | 16m |
| River Road | 3.2 mi | 5m |
| John A. Lynch Memorial Bridge | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| Flanders - Drakestown Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Madison Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 9
— 18.7 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Olive, NJ and Lakewood, NJ.
1
Start on Mount Olive Road
187 ft
·
9 sec
·
Mount Olive Road
2
Turn left onto Flanders - Drakestown Road
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Flanders - Drakestown Road
3
At end of road, turn right onto CR 613
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
Flanders Netcong Road
4
Turn right onto US 206
15 mi
·
23 min
·
US Highway 206
Use the right lane.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 287 South: Somerville, Princeton
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 287
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
I 287
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 287
11 mi
·
12 min
·
I 287
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 9
Toward River Road, Bound Brook, Highland Park
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward Highland Park
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
11
Turn straight onto CR 622
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
River Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward NJ 18 South: New Brunswick
Use the right lane.
13
Merge onto NJ 18
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
John A. Lynch Memorial Bridge
14
Continue on NJ 18; CR 527
11 mi
·
16 min
·
State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 30
Toward US 9 South: Freehold
Use the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto US 9
19 mi
·
28 min
·
US Highway 9
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on US 9
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Madison Avenue
18
Turn left onto 8th Street
46 ft
·
2 sec
·
8th Street
Use the left lane.
19
Arrive at destination
8th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour 40 minute duration, this is a comfortable same-day trip, so feel free to leave mid-morning to avoid the earliest rush. With only 65.8 miles, you have flexibility in stopping, but don't expect many designated rest areas directly on the highway sections. Plan to fuel up before you leave or find a station near the end of your highway driving, as the longest stretch without an exit is 18.7 miles on US Highway 9. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach that point.
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 32.9 miles from Mount Olive, NJ, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18.7 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 14 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 32.9 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 24m
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 Mount Olive, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Mount Olive, NJ
This is one driving day of about 65.8 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Mount Olive, 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 18.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
33 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 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 32.9 miles from Mount Olive, 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 155 decision points cluster between mile 16.7 and 45.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
16.7 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward I 287 South: Somerville, Princeton
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 I 287 South: Somerville, Princeton
6
18.3 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
I 287
Keep slight left at fork onto I 287
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
29 mi into trip
|
~42m in
Take the exit toward River Road, Bound Brook, Highland Park
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 9
Toward River Road, Bound Brook, Highland Park
6
29.1 mi into trip
|
~42m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Highland Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Highland Park
7
45.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
Take the exit toward US 9 South: Freehold
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 30
Toward US 9 South: Freehold
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.91 one way
$21.82 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $11.95 | $23.90 |
| premium | $4.93 | $12.76 | $25.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.53 | $29.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23 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 | 19.7 | 0 | $6.91 | $3.16 |
| Efficient EV | 16.5 | 0 | $5.76 | $2.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26.3 | 0 | $9.21 | $4.21 |
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.
Destination
Lakewood, NJ
Late night in Lakewood on Tuesday
Local time
5:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
45°F
Somerset, NJ
33 mi in
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
18 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 40m 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.
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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 16.8
Park Closure: Partial Reopening: Cross Estate Gardens
Caution: Passaic River Trail Bridge washed out
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,...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
$10
View on nps.gov
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
$10
near mile 36.4
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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 56.1
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...
28 mi from route
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 2.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 85% of the 65.8 miles on major roads. You'll experience an 18.7-mile stretch on US Highway 9 without needing to exit. The transition from highway to surface roads will occur, though the exact point isn't specified, expect a significant portion of your time to be on high-speed routes before reaching your destination. The profile suggests a primarily highway experience with fewer interruptions.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 18.7 mi on US Highway 9.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 9 and US Highway 206. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.7 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 65.8 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 16.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.3 miles (I 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 29 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,020 ft
11 ft
Total Climb
228 ft
Total Descent
1,175 ft
Highest Point
1,020 ft
Elevation Range
1,009 ft
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 Mount Olive, NJ and Lakewood, NJ, road signs point toward Princeton, Bound Brook and Highland Park.
Princeton
16.7 mi in
|
~27m
Bound Brook
29 mi in
|
~42m
Highland Park
29 mi in
|
~42m
About the Cities
Starting in Mount Olive, NJ
Full guide →Mr. Olive is a city in Morris County in the Skylands region of New Jersey. It consists of two sub-regions just south of Route 80 in the western part of the county. Flanders is located around Route 206, and Budd Lake is named for the lake with the same name along Route 46, which leads into Long Valley and Hackettstown in Warren County.
Arriving in Lakewood, NJ
Full guide →Lakewood is a town in Ocean County, New Jersey.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 40m. Total distance: 65.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 18.7 miles on US Highway 9. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 16.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.3 miles (I 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 29 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Morristown National Historical Park, Delaware Water Gap 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 Lakewood, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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