Origin
Boonton, NJ
Evening in Boonton on Friday
Local time
7:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Boonton, NJ to Newark, NJ
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
30m
Distance
21.9 mi
35 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 28m
★
6 AM
0h 30m
8 AM
0h 35m
10 AM
0h 32m
12 PM
0h 31m
3 PM
0h 32m
5 PM
0h 35m
8 PM
0h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Boonton, NJ
James Kampeis
Trip Overview
This 21.9-mile drive from Boonton, NJ to Newark, NJ is a quick trip, typically taking around 30 minutes. It's a straightforward, highway-focused route, with 76% of the journey on major roads like the Essex Freeway, I-287, and Christopher Columbus Highway. Given its short distance and duration, this trip is easily manageable as a single-day excursion, with a modest estimated fuel cost of $4. The drive stays within the Northeast region, specifically within New Jersey, making it a convenient local transit option.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 30m. Total distance: 21.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-centric experience for most of this drive, with 76% of the route utilizing major highways. You'll encounter the Essex Freeway, I-287, and Christopher Columbus Highway, offering a consistent pace. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 13.3 miles on the Essex Freeway, providing a good opportunity to settle in. This road profile suggests a focus on efficient travel rather than scenic detours, making it a functional connection between the two New Jersey locations.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Essex Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 13.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Essex Freeway and I 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 14 decision points packed into just 21.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 30m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Take the exit toward Wootton Street, Boonton
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 45
Toward Wootton Street, Boonton
7
4.1 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward ramp to I-80 Eastbound, NYC
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward ramp to I-80 Eastbound, NYC
6
6.6 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the exit toward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 47A
Toward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
8
20.6 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward Martin Luther King Boulevard, Broad Street Station, Rutgers University, Essex County College
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 14
Toward Martin Luther King Boulevard, Broad Stre...
6
20.8 mi into trip
|
~27m in
|
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Turn right onto Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Boonton, NJ and Newark, NJ, road signs point toward Ramp To I-80 Eastbound, Nyc, Broad Street Station, Rutgers University and Essex County College.
Ramp To I-80 Eastbound
4.1 mi in
|
~6m
Nyc
4.1 mi in
|
~6m
Broad Street Station
20.6 mi in
|
~27m
Rutgers University
20.6 mi in
|
~27m
Essex County College
20.6 mi in
|
~27m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Essex Freeway | 13.3 mi | 16m |
| I 287 | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| University Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Myrtle Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Market Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Orange Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Park Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Essex Freeway
— 13.3 mi, about 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Boonton, NJ and Newark, NJ.
1
Start on I 287
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
I 287
2
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 45
Toward Wootton Street, Boonton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
3
Continue on Park Avenue
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Park Avenue
4
Turn left onto Wootton Street
287 ft
·
16 sec
·
Wootton Street
5
Turn left onto US 202
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
Myrtle Avenue
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward I 287 South
7
Merge onto I 287
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
I 287
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
Toward ramp to I-80 Eastbound, NYC
Use the right lane.
9
Merge onto I 80
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Christopher Columbus Highway
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 47A
Toward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
11
Continue on I 280
13 mi
·
16 min
·
Essex Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 14
Toward Martin Luther King Boulevard, Broad Street Station, Rutgers University, Essex County College
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn right onto Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
269 ft
·
9 sec
·
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Use the right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
140 ft
·
11 sec
·
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
15
Turn left onto Orange Street
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Orange Street
16
Turn right onto University Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
University Avenue
17
Turn left onto CR 510
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Market Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Arrive at destination
CR 510
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$3.63 one way
$7.26 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $3.98 | $7.95 |
| premium | $4.93 | $4.25 | $8.49 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.84 | $9.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.6 | 0 | $2.30 | $1.05 |
| Efficient EV | 5.5 | 0 | $1.92 | $0.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.8 | 0 | $3.07 | $1.40 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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
Newark, NJ
Evening in Newark on Friday
Local time
7:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°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
17 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
30m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Boonton, NJ to Newark, NJ covers 21.9 miles and takes about 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Essex Freeway, I 287, Christopher Columbus Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 10.9 miles from Boonton, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.63 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a short but busy drive. With 14 decision points packed into just 21.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 30m.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Boonton, NJ and Newark, NJ, road signs point toward Ramp To I-80 Eastbound, Nyc, Broad Street Station, Rutgers University and Essex County College.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Morristown National Historical Park and Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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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