Origin
Raritan, NJ
Late night in Raritan on Sunday
Local time
12:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
50m
Distance
38.2 mi
61 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
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.
Raritan, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Bayonne, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning a quick trip from Raritan to Bayonne, expect a straightforward 38.6-mile journey that typically takes about 43 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single day, as it covers a manageable distance within the Northeast region. With a fuel budget of approximately $6, it is an economical choice for commuters or travelers moving between these two New Jersey hubs. You will primarily utilize I-287 North, I-78 East, and the Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway to navigate your way. Because the total duration is under an hour, there is no need for an overnight split, allowing you plenty of flexibility for your schedule.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway | 26.6 mi | 31m |
| New Jersey Turnpike Newark Bay Extension | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| I 287 | 2.5 mi | 2m |
| US 202 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Broadway | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| Thompson Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| East 53rd Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Raritan, NJ and Bayonne, NJ.
Start on Thompson Street
Turn right onto US 202
Take the exit
Merge onto I 287
Take the exit
Merge onto I 78
Keep slight right at fork onto I 78
Keep slight right at fork onto I 78
Take the exit
Merge onto I 78
Take the exit
Merge onto I 78
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78; NJTP
Take the exit
Take the exit
Continue on East 53rd Street
Turn left onto Broadway
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 19.1 miles from Raritan, 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 5.1 and 36.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward I 78 East: New York City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 78 / Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 78 East: Holland Tunnel, New York City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward NJTP, I 95, US 1-9, NJ 21, US 22: Port Newark
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward NJ 440: Bayonne
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$6.33 one way
$12.67 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $6.94 | $13.87 |
| premium | $4.93 | $7.41 | $14.82 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.43 | $16.87 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.47
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Tolls
$0
Total
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.5 | 0 | $4.01 | $1.83 |
| Efficient EV | 9.6 | 0 | $3.34 | $1.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.3 | 0 | $5.35 | $2.44 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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
Late night in Raritan on Sunday
Local time
12:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Bayonne on Sunday
Local time
12:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
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
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.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. While you will utilize major thoroughfares like I-78 and the Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway, the road profile remains technical and requires your full attention. The route features a 0% highway share in terms of long, straight stretches, emphasizing a more involved experience behind the wheel. You will find that the character of the road shifts as you transition between local segments and highway connectors. Prepare for a driving environment that demands frequent navigation through turns rather than long, uninterrupted highway miles.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway and New Jersey Turnpike Newark Bay Extension. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.1 miles in.
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 15 decision points packed into just 38.2 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 50m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.3 miles (I 78 / Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.7 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 Raritan, NJ and Bayonne, NJ, road signs point toward Morristown, New York City and Njtp.
Morristown
New York City
Njtp
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 50m. Total distance: 38.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). 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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