Origin
Phillipsburg, NJ
Morning in Phillipsburg on Sunday
Local time
6:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Phillipsburg, NJ to Trenton, 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
52.1 mi
84 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 10m
★
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.
Phillipsburg, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trenton, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 52.1-mile drive from Phillipsburg, NJ to Trenton, NJ is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 16 minutes. Given its relatively short duration and the estimated $9 fuel cost, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You'll primarily be on the Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway and NJ 31 Southbound, making for a direct path through the Northeast region of New Jersey. This drive offers a practical way to travel between these two points, prioritizing efficiency over scenic detours.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway | 13.3 mi | 15m |
| NJ 31 | 10.3 mi | 16m |
| Route 31 Southbound | 9.9 mi | 11m |
| US 202 | 5.8 mi | 8m |
| Pennington Road | 4.3 mi | 8m |
| Olden Avenue | 3.2 mi | 6m |
| US 22 | 3.2 mi | 5m |
| Memorial Parkway | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
— 13.3 mi, about 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Phillipsburg, NJ and Trenton, NJ.
1
Start on Hudson Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Hudson Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto Warren Street
155 ft
·
8 sec
·
Warren Street
3
Turn right onto US 22
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Memorial Parkway
4
Turn straight onto US 22
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
US 22
Toward New York
Use the left lane.
5
Take the exit onto US 22
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
US 22
Toward I 78, US 22 East
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 22
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 22
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: New York
Use the slight left lane.
7
Merge onto I 78; US 22
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 17
Toward NJ 31 South: Flemington, Trenton
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto NJ 31
9.9 mi
·
11 min
·
Route 31 Southbound
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Enter roundabout onto US 202; NJ 31
456 ft
·
8 sec
·
US 202; NJ 31
11
Continue on US 202; NJ 31
5.7 mi
·
8 min
·
US 202; NJ 31
12
Take the exit onto NJ 31
10 mi
·
16 min
·
NJ 31
Toward NJ 31 South, CR 579 South: Trenton
Use the slight right lane.
13
Enter roundabout onto NJ 31
517 ft
·
9 sec
·
Pennington Road
14
Continue on NJ 31
4.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Pennington Road
15
Turn left onto CR 622
3.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Olden Avenue
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn right onto CR 606
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Hamilton Avenue
17
Turn right onto CR 626
6 ft
·
0 sec
·
Chambers Street
18
Arrive at destination
CR 626
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26.1 miles from Phillipsburg, 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 145 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 33.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Warren Street
At end of road, turn left onto Warren Street
Navigation decision point
5
3.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
US 22
Take the exit onto US 22 toward I 78, US 22 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 78, US 22 East
8
3.9 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
US 22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 22 toward I 78 East, US 22 East: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: New York
8
17.8 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Take the exit toward NJ 31 South: Flemington, 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 17
Toward NJ 31 South: Flemington, Trenton
7
33.7 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
NJ 31
Take the exit onto NJ 31 toward NJ 31 South, CR 579 South: 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.
Toward NJ 31 South, CR 579 South: Trenton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.64 one way
$17.28 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $9.46 | $18.92 |
| premium | $4.93 | $10.10 | $20.21 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.50 | $23.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.6 | 0 | $5.47 | $2.50 |
| Efficient EV | 13 | 0 | $4.56 | $2.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.8 | 0 | $7.29 | $3.33 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Destination
Trenton, NJ
Morning in Trenton on Sunday
Local time
6:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°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
2 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-focused experience for 84% of this 52.1-mile trip. The Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch at 13.3 miles, setting a brisk pace early on. As you transition to NJ 31 Southbound (also referred to as Route 31 Southbound), the character remains largely consistent with efficient highway travel. This route is designed for getting from point A to point B effectively, with minimal deviations from main roads.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 13.3 mi on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway and NJ 31. 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 Warren Street.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 52.1 miles you will encounter 14 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 (Warren Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.7 miles (US 22): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.9 miles (US 22): 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.
On the drive from Phillipsburg, NJ to Trenton, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 579 South: Trenton along the way.
Cr 579 South: Trenton
33.7 mi in
|
~44m
|
via NJ 31
About the Cities
Arriving in Trenton, NJ
Full guide →Trenton is in Mercer County, and is the capital of New Jersey. The city's strategic location in between New York City and Philadelphia has historically contributed to its growth and significantly impacts local culture. Located on the Delaware River across from Pennsylvania, Trenton is the only accessible capital city in the United States to border another state.
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 16m. Total distance: 52.1 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 (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 13.3 miles on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway. 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 Trenton, 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 (Warren Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.7 miles (US 22): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.9 miles (US 22): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Morristown National Historical Park. 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 Trenton, 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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