This 85-mile drive from Newark, NJ, to Highland Park, NJ, is estimated to take about 1 hour and 46 minutes, making it a very manageable day trip. You'll primarily navigate via Mulberry Street and McCarter Highway before merging onto I-95 South for a portion of the journey. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, this route is quite economical for a quick excursion within the Northeast region. The drive is characterized by numerous turns, so expect a more involved local road experience rather than a straightforward highway cruise. This trip is perfect for a single day, offering a convenient way to travel between these two New Jersey locations without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.5 miles from Newark, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
66.5 mi
1h 17m
I 295
9.4 mi
10m
US 1
1.7 mi
2m
McCarter Highway
1.5 mi
3m
NJ 81
1.1 mi
2m
Mulberry Street
0.7 mi
1m
Exit 26
0.7 mi
<1m
NJ 73
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 66.5 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newark, NJ and Highland Park, NJ.
1
Start on CR 510
0.2 mi·34 sec·Market Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Turn right onto Mulberry Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Mulberry Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn slight right onto NJ 21
1.5 mi·3 min·McCarter Highway
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto US 1; US 9
0.2 mi·17 sec·US 1; US 9
5
Continue on US 1; US 9
1.5 mi·2 min·US 1; US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
7
Continue on NJ 81
1.1 mi·2 min·NJ 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
315 ft·7 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: TrentonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
10
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
50 mi·57 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP
17 mi·19 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Toward NJTP South: Camden, Wilmington
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·55 sec
Exit 4Toward NJ 73: Mount Laurel, Camden
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward NJ 73 North: CamdenUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto NJ 73
0.5 mi·42 sec·NJ 73
Use the slight right lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 295 South: Delaware Memorial Bridge
16
Merge onto I 295
9.4 mi·10 min·I 295
17
Take the exit onto Exit 26
0.7 mi·49 sec·Exit 26
Exit 26Toward I 76 West: Camden, PhiladelphiaUse the slight left / straight lanes.
18
Merge onto I 76
0.4 mi·30 sec·North-South Freeway
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 1DToward US 130 North: CollingswoodUse the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto US 130
0.2 mi·18 sec·Crescent Boulevard
21
Turn left onto Klemm Avenue
0.2 mi·39 sec·Klemm Avenue
Use the left lane.
22
Turn left onto Sylvan Avenue
0.2 mi·44 sec·Sylvan Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
Sylvan Avenue
Trip Plan
Given this is a relatively short drive of 85 miles and just under two hours, flexibility is your best friend. You can easily complete this trip in a single day, so there's no need to plan for overnight stops. Consider departing during off-peak hours to minimize dealing with local traffic, especially as you'll be on a 'turn-heavy local drive.' The estimated fuel cost of $14 is quite low, so you won't need to worry much about budget for gas. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to your GPS or navigation system, as the frequent turns mean it's easy to miss a crucial exit or turn onto the wrong local road.
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 42.5 miles from Newark, NJ, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.5 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 19 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.5 miles or 54m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Highland Park, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Newark, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Newark, NJ
This is one driving day of about 85 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Newark, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New Jersey Turnpike for about 66.5 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 84.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Mulberry Street
Turn right onto Mulberry Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
5.4 mi into trip|~11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
7
72.8 mi into trip|~1h 29m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 73 North: Camden
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 73 North: Camden
8
83.1 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|Exit 26
Take the exit onto Exit 26 toward I 76 West: Camden, Philadelphia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 26
Toward I 76 West: Camden, Philadelphia
7
84.2 mi into trip|~1h 43m in
Take the exit toward US 130 North: Collingswood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1D
Toward US 130 North: Collingswood
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.09 one way
$28.18 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$15.43
$30.87
premium
$4.93
$16.48
$32.97
diesel
$5.61
$18.77
$37.53
Estimated Tolls: $9.31
New Jersey Turnpike
(66.5 mi)$9.31
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
$14
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.5
0
$8.92
$4.08
Efficient EV
21.3
0
$7.44
$3.40
EV Truck/SUV
34
0
$11.90
$5.44
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% 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
Newark, NJ
Late night
in Newark on Sunday
Local time
12:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Highland Park, NJ
Late night
in Highland Park on Sunday
Local time
12:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°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
12 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 46m 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...
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...
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
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 5.9
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...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 2.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for the majority of this 85-mile route. While I-95 South is part of the itinerary, the highway share is 0%, indicating that any interstate travel is minimal and likely brief. The profile suggests a road that demands attention, with frequent changes in direction rather than long, uninterrupted stretches. This means you'll be engaging with local traffic and road layouts consistently throughout the approximately 1 hour and 46 minute duration. The character of the drive will likely shift as you transition between different local roads and potentially brief highway segments.
94% 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: 66.5 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 I 295. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Mulberry Street.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85 miles you will encounter 20 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 0.2 miles (Mulberry Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.8 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 Newark, NJ and Highland Park, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp South: Trenton, Njtp South: Camden, Wilmington and Camden.
Newark is New Jersey's largest city and second largest in Metro New York. Although one of the great historic cities of the Northeast and the most culture-rich city in the state, Newark is often overlooked in favor of Goliath-like Manhattan and towns along the Hudson River, such as Jersey City and Hoboken. While no longer the industrial powerhouse it once was, Newark remains one of America's major shipping, rail, and air hubs. Public transportation is abundant, making it easy to get to, from, and around the city.
Newark has been economically disadvantaged for some time, and suffers from a bad reputation, often informed by negative stereotyping. Thanks in large part to a nationally high-profile mayor (Cory Booker, now a U.S.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 85 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.5 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.31 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 Highland Park, 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 0.2 miles (Mulberry Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Highland Park, NJ before heading back.
