Trenton, NJ to Elmwood Park, NJ is 63.6 miles and takes about 1h 31m via Garden State Parkway and US 1, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Jersey, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Expect a mostly highway experience for this relatively short drive. It's a straightforward route for a quick trip, whether you're heading north for a specific destination or just need to cover ground within the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
31.8 miles from Trenton, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
25.1 mi
34m
Brunswick Pike
17.1 mi
24m
US 1
10.3 mi
15m
I 295
2.9 mi
3m
US 46
2.6 mi
2m
Hamilton Avenue
2.5 mi
4m
River Drive
0.6 mi
1m
Linden Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 25.1 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Trenton, NJ and Elmwood Park, NJ.
1
Start on CR 626
6 ft·6 sec·Chambers Street
2
Turn left onto CR 606
2.5 mi·4 min·Hamilton Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 295 North
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward I 295 North
5
Merge onto I 295
2.9 mi·3 min·I 295
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 67A-BToward US 1: New Brunswick, TrentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 67AToward US 1 North: New BrunswickUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto US 1
17 mi·24 min·Brunswick Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
0.1 mi·9 sec·US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
504 ft·7 sec·US 1
Toward Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
366 ft·5 sec·US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
2.7 mi·3 min·US 1
13
Continue on US 1
1.0 mi·1 min·US 1
14
Continue on US 1
0.2 mi·16 sec·US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on US 1
0.2 mi·19 sec·US 1
Use the right lane.
16
Continue on US 1
5.9 mi·9 min·US 1
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward GSP Toll North: Garden State Parkway
18
Merge onto GSP
25 mi·34 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 154Toward US 46 East: CliftonUse the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto US 46
2.2 mi·2 min·US 46
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 46
0.3 mi·20 sec·US 46
Toward US 46 East: Elmwood ParkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
514 ft·12 sec
Toward CR 507 North: River Drive, RidgewoodUse the right lane.
23
Turn straight onto CR 507
0.6 mi·1 min·River Drive
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn right onto CR 56
0.1 mi·15 sec·Market Street
25
Turn slight left onto CR 105
0.1 mi·17 sec·Van Riper Avenue
26
Turn left onto South Center Street
0.1 mi·32 sec·South Center Street
27
At end of road, turn right onto Linden Avenue
0.2 mi·45 sec·Linden Avenue
28
Arrive at destination
Linden Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 1h 31m drive time, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Leaving mid-morning could help you avoid the worst of rush hour traffic in either Trenton or Elmwood Park. With only 63.6 miles and a $11 fuel estimate, you have plenty of flexibility. Consider taking a short break during the 25.1-mile stretch on the Garden State Parkway to stretch your legs. Since the drive is short, you can afford to be spontaneous with rest stops if needed.
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 31.8 miles from Trenton, NJ, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.1 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 14 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 31.8 miles or 45m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elmwood Park, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Trenton, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Trenton, NJ
This is one driving day of about 63.6 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Trenton, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 25.1 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 6 and 62.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
6 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the exit toward US 1: New Brunswick, Trenton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 67A-B
Toward US 1: New Brunswick, Trenton
8
6.2 mi into trip|~8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 1 North: New Brunswick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 67A
Toward US 1 North: New Brunswick
7
23.9 mi into trip|~34m in|US 1
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1 toward Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|New...
7
24 mi into trip|~34m in|US 1
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
62.4 mi into trip|~1h 28m in
Take the exit toward CR 507 North: River Drive, Ridgewood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward CR 507 North: River Drive, Ridgewood
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.54 one way
$21.09 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg22 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$11.55
$23.10
premium
$4.93
$12.33
$24.67
diesel
$5.61
$14.04
$28.08
Estimated Tolls: $1.50
Garden State Parkway
(25.1 mi)$1.50
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
$11
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
19.1
0
$6.68
$3.05
Efficient EV
15.9
0
$5.56
$2.54
EV Truck/SUV
25.4
0
$8.90
$4.07
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Trenton, NJ
Late night
in Trenton on Tuesday
Local time
5:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Elmwood Park, NJ
Late night
in Elmwood Park on Tuesday
Local time
5:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 31m 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...
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 43.9
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...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 48.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 64% of this 63.6-mile drive on the highway, primarily on the Garden State Parkway. The longest continuous stretch on this highway is 25.1 miles. After that, you'll transition to surface roads like Brunswick Pike and US 1. Be prepared for more frequent exits and potentially denser traffic as you move off the main parkway.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 25.1 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Brunswick Pike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 63.6 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 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.9 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Trenton, NJ and Elmwood Park, NJ, road signs point toward Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|Newark and New Brunswick.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 63.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (64%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 25.1 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.50 in tolls one way, starting with Garden State Parkway. 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.
Yes — we found about 8 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Elmwood 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 6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.9 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Morristown National Historical Park (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 Elmwood Park, NJ before heading back.
