Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 2m
Distance
43 mi
69 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Plainsboro, NJ
Thomas Parker
Bayonne, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Plainsboro, NJ to Bayonne, NJ is 43 miles and takes about 1h 2m via New Jersey Turnpike, Dey Road, and Bayonne Bridge, with a fuel budget near $7 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This quick trip stays within the Northeast region, connecting two points in New Jersey. Expect a straightforward drive primarily on major roadways. It's a short journey that's ideal for a same-day excursion, allowing ample time for whatever awaits you at your destination.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike | 24 mi | 27m |
| Dey Road | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| Bayonne Bridge | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| Forest Avenue | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Goethals Bridge | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| US 130 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Forsgate Drive | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Staten Island Expressway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Plainsboro, NJ and Bayonne, NJ.
Start on Prospect Avenue
Turn right onto Plainsboro Road
Turn left onto CR 683
Turn right onto CR 614
Turn slight left onto CR 614
Turn left onto US 130
Take the exit
Continue on NJ 32
Take the ramp
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
Take the exit
Merge onto I 278
Continue on I 278
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn straight onto Forest Avenue
Turn left onto Trantor Place
Take the ramp
Merge onto NY 440
Continue on NY 440
Turn left onto East 30th Street
Turn left onto Avenue E
Turn right onto East 29th Street
Turn right onto Broadway
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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.
A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 21.5 miles from Plainsboro, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.5 and 36.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward NJ 32 East: Jamesburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95, NJTP North: New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 278: Elizabeth, Staten Island
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Forest Avenue, Gulf Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$7.13 one way
$14.26 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $7.81 | $15.62 |
| premium | $4.93 | $8.34 | $16.68 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.49 | $18.99 |
Estimated Tolls: $35.36
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Tolls
$35
Total
$42
Estimated CO2 emission: 15 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 | 12.9 | 0 | $4.52 | $2.06 |
| Efficient EV | 10.8 | 0 | $3.76 | $1.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.2 | 0 | $6.02 | $2.75 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Plainsboro on Sunday
Local time
10:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Morning in Bayonne on Sunday
Local time
10:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Sunny
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
This route offers a mixed drive experience, with 60% of it on highways. You'll encounter stretches on the New Jersey Turnpike, including a significant 24-mile segment without needing to exit. The journey transitions from highway driving to more local roads as you approach Bayonne. The profile suggests a blend of faster-paced travel and more typical roadway conditions as you get closer to your destination.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.5 miles in.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 43 miles you will encounter 22 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 6.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Plainsboro, NJ and Bayonne, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp Toll, Njtp North: New York City and Staten Island.
Njtp Toll
Njtp North: New York City
Staten Island
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 2m. Total distance: 43 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (60%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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