Origin
Brookdale, NJ
Night in Brookdale on Tuesday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brookdale, NJ to Newark, NJ
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
15m
Distance
10.6 mi
17 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 14m
★
6 AM
0h 15m
8 AM
0h 18m
10 AM
0h 16m
12 PM
0h 16m
3 PM
0h 16m
5 PM
0h 18m
8 PM
0h 14m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brookdale, NJ
Joel Zar
Trip Overview
This straightforward 10.6-mile drive from Brookdale to Newark, NJ, is designed for a single day trip, requiring just about 15 minutes to complete. You'll primarily be on NJ 21 and State Route 3, with a portion on West Passaic Avenue, making it a highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $2, this short journey is economical. Given its brevity, it's an ideal option for a quick errand or a short hop within the Northeast region, requiring no overnight stays.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
5.3 miles from Brookdale, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 7m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for about 68% of this route. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 5.6 miles on NJ 21. This means you'll experience sustained travel on higher-speed roads, characteristic of a more direct transit rather than a winding, scenic path. The road's personality is geared towards efficiency, moving you quickly between your starting point in Brookdale and your destination in Newark.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
NJ 21 is the longest continuous segment at about 5.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NJ 21 and State Route 3. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near CR 509 / Broad Street.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 10.6 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (CR 509 / Broad Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (CR 622 / Darling Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CR 509 / Broad Street
Turn right onto CR 509 / Broad Street
Navigation decision point
5
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
CR 622 / Darling Avenue
Turn left onto CR 622 / Darling Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
3.2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the exit toward NJ 21 South: Newark
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward NJ 21 South: Newark
7
9.4 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
Broad Street
Turn left onto Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
10.4 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
CR 510 / Market Street
Turn left onto CR 510 / Market Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NJ 21 | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| State Route 3 | 1.7 mi | 1m |
| West Passaic Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| University Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Broad Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Market Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Bloomfield Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Clay Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
NJ 21
— 5.6 mi, about 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brookdale, NJ and Newark, NJ.
1
Start on Irwin Place
473 ft
·
24 sec
·
Irwin Place
2
Turn right onto CR 509
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Broad Street
3
Turn left onto CR 622
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Passaic Avenue
4
Turn left onto CR 622
411 ft
·
7 sec
·
Darling Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on CR 622
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Bloomfield Avenue
6
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
7
Merge onto NJ 3
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
State Route 3
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward NJ 21 South: Newark
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto NJ 21
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
NJ 21
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn right onto CR 506 Spur
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Clay Street
11
Turn left onto Broad Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Broad Street
Use the left lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto University Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
University Avenue
13
Turn left onto CR 510
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Market Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
14
Arrive at destination
CR 510
Trip Plan
Since this trip is only 10.6 miles and takes around 15 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility. There are no designated stops recommended for this short journey, and with a fuel cost of just $2, refueling isn't a major concern. Consider departing during off-peak hours to minimize any potential traffic delays, especially as you approach Newark. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to signage for West Passaic Avenue as it's a key connector and can be a point where navigation might require a quick glance at your GPS.
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 5.3 miles from Brookdale, NJ, or about 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 5.6 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 10.6 miles or 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 5.3 miles or 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newark, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brookdale, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Brookdale, NJ
This is one driving day of about 10.6 miles and 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Brookdale, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on NJ 21 for about 5.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 5.3 mi from Brookdale, NJ · 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
5 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 10.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 5.3 miles from Brookdale, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Newark, NJ
The final approach into Newark, NJ usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Newark, NJ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$1.76 one way
$3.51 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $1.92 | $3.85 |
| premium | $4.93 | $2.06 | $4.11 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.34 | $4.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 3.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.2 | 0 | $1.11 | $0.51 |
| Efficient EV | 2.7 | 0 | $0.93 | $0.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.2 | 0 | $1.48 | $0.68 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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
Night in Newark on Tuesday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°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
2 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
15m 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 Brookdale, NJ to Newark, NJ covers 10.6 miles and takes about 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are NJ 21, State Route 3, West Passaic Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.3 miles from Brookdale, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.76 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 demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 10.6 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (CR 509 / Broad Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (CR 622 / Darling Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Brookdale, NJ to Newark, NJ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Newark, NJ
More from Brookdale, NJ
More trips to Newark, NJ
Explore more options from Brookdale, NJ or browse trips ending in Newark, NJ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NJ road trips.
Explore maps for Brookdale, NJ or Newark, NJ on MapSof.net.