Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 13m
Distance
43.4 mi
70 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trenton, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Belford, NJ
Aisling Kerr
This 43.4-mile journey from Trenton to Belford, New Jersey, is a manageable day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 13 minutes to complete. The route primarily utilizes Old Trenton Road and NJ 36, with a modest 22% of the drive on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of just $7, this short drive is an economical option for a quick getaway. Given its brevity and lack of designated stops, you'll find plenty of flexibility in planning your departure and any impromptu breaks. This is a straightforward local drive within the Northeast region, connecting two points in New Jersey.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Old Trenton Road | 8.5 mi | 15m |
| NJ 36 | 6.5 mi | 10m |
| Tennent Road | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| Texas Road | 3 mi | 4m |
| Hamilton Avenue | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| Forsgate Drive | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| Edinburg Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| Main Street | 2 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Trenton, NJ and Belford, NJ.
Start on CR 626
Turn left onto CR 606
Turn straight onto NJ 33
Continue on CR 535
Continue on CR 535
At end of road, turn left onto US 130
Turn slight right onto CR 535
Continue on CR 535
Turn right onto NJ 32
Turn right onto CR 522; CR 612
Turn left onto CR 612
Continue on CR 612
Continue on Texas Road
Turn right onto CR 520
Turn left onto CR 3
Continue on NJ 79; CR 3
Continue on NJ 79
Continue on CR 516
Continue on CR 516
Take the ramp
Merge onto NJ 35
Take the exit onto NJ 36
Take the exit
Turn right onto East Morris Avenue
Turn right onto Main Street
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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 21.7 miles from Trenton, 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 13.8 and 42.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
At end of road, turn left onto US 130
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto NJ 32 / Forsgate Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto CR 520 / Marlboro Road
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto NJ 36 toward NJ 36: Keansburg, Atlantic Highlands
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Belford, Belford Ferry Service
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$7.20 one way
$14.39 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $7.88 | $15.76 |
| premium | $4.93 | $8.42 | $16.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.58 | $19.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.2 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 | 13 | 0 | $4.56 | $2.08 |
| Efficient EV | 10.9 | 0 | $3.80 | $1.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.4 | 0 | $6.08 | $2.78 |
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
Late night in Trenton on Sunday
Local time
12:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Late night in Belford on Sunday
Local time
12:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°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
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.
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 43.4-mile stretch. While only 22% of the route is on highways, the majority of your time will be spent navigating local roads like Old Trenton Road and NJ 36. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 8.5 miles on Old Trenton Road, so be prepared for frequent turns and changes in speed. This road's personality is less about sweeping vistas and more about efficient travel through populated areas, requiring your attention for navigation.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 13.8 miles in near US 130.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 43.4 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 13.8 miles (US 130): Lane positioning matters here; at 17.4 miles (NJ 32 / Forsgate Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 26.6 miles (CR 520 / Marlboro Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Trenton, NJ to Belford, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Atlantic Highlands along the way.
Atlantic Highlands
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).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 13m. Total distance: 43.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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