Origin
Cedar Grove, NJ
Morning in Cedar Grove on Monday
Local time
6:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cedar Grove, NJ to Somerset, NJ
Drive Time
2h 30m
Distance
120.2 mi
193 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 21m
★
6 AM
2h 31m
8 AM
2h 51m
10 AM
2h 38m
12 PM
2h 36m
3 PM
2h 39m
5 PM
2h 50m
8 PM
2h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cedar Grove, NJ
Moussa Idrissi
Somerset, NJ
Malcolm Garret
Trip Overview
The drive from Cedar Grove, NJ to Somerset, NJ covers 120.2 miles and takes about 2h 30m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Garden State Parkway, NJ 18, NJ 34 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 79.5 miles on Garden State Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.89 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
60.1 miles from Cedar Grove, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 2h 30m highway drive covering 120.2 miles, with most of the trip on Garden State Parkway and NJ 18. The longest continuous stretch is about 79.5 miles on Garden State Parkway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Garden State Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 79.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and NJ 18. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 39.6 miles in near GSP / Garden State Parkway.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 120.2 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 39.6 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
39.6 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
GSP / Garden State Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
83.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward NJ 138 East, I 195 West, NJ 34: Belmar, Trenton
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 98
Toward NJ 138 East, I 195 West, NJ 34: Belmar,...
8
84.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 195 West: Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 195 West: Trenton
8
85 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
Take the exit toward NJ 34 North: Matawan
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 35B
Toward NJ 34 North: Matawan
7
117.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
Take the exit toward Easton Avenue, So Bound Brook
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Easton Avenue, So Bound Brook
Towns Along This Route
Between Cedar Grove, NJ and Somerset, NJ, road signs point toward Trenton and Gsp North.
Trenton
83.8 mi in
|
~1h 40m
Gsp North
84.2 mi in
|
~1h 41m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 79.5 mi | 1h 32m |
| NJ 18 | 22.2 mi | 26m |
| NJ 34 | 7 mi | 9m |
| Shore Road | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Memorial Parkway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| NJ 33 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Franklin Boulevard | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Kings Highway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 79.5 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Grove, NJ and Somerset, NJ.
1
Start on CR 608
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Kings Highway
2
Turn straight onto NJ 83
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Trooper Bertram T. Zimmerman III Memorial Highway
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 9
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Shore Road
4
Turn right onto CR 625
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
Sea Isle Boulevard
5
Take the ramp
237 ft
·
5 sec
Toward GSP Toll North
6
Continue on GSP NB Entrance 17
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
GSP NB Entrance 17
Toward GSP: garden state parkway
7
Merge onto GSP
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Garden State Parkway
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
31 sec
9
Merge onto GSP
34 mi
·
39 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
44 mi
·
51 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 98
Toward NJ 138 East, I 195 West, NJ 34: Belmar, Trenton
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward GSP North, I 195 West
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward I 195 West: Trenton
Use the right lane.
14
Merge onto NJ 138
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
NJ 138
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 35B
Toward NJ 34 North: Matawan
Use the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto NJ 34
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
NJ 34
17
Enter roundabout onto NJ 33; NJ 34
451 ft
·
6 sec
·
NJ 33; NJ 34
18
Continue on NJ 33; NJ 34
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
NJ 33; NJ 34
19
Take the exit onto NJ 34
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
NJ 34
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick
21
Merge onto NJ 18
22 mi
·
26 min
·
NJ 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on NJ 18
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward Easton Avenue, So Bound Brook
Use the slight right lane.
24
Turn straight onto (672)
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
George Street
25
Turn left onto CR 609
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
Landing Lane
26
Continue on CR 617
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Franklin Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
27
Turn right onto Belmar Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Belmar Street
28
At end of road, turn left onto Abbott Road
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
·
Abbott Road
29
Turn left onto West Point Avenue
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
West Point Avenue
30
Arrive at destination
West Point Avenue
Trip Plan
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 60.1 miles from Cedar Grove, NJ, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.5 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 80 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.1 miles or 1h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Somerset, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cedar Grove, 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 Cedar Grove, NJ
This is one driving day of about 120.2 miles and 2h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cedar Grove, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 79.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 60.1 mi from Cedar Grove, NJ · 1h 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 60.1 miles from Cedar Grove, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Garden State Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79.5 miles.
Arriving in Somerset, NJ
The final approach into Somerset, 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 Somerset, 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
$19.89 one way
$39.78 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $21.76 | $43.53 |
| premium | $4.92 | $23.29 | $46.58 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $26.70 | $53.41 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.77
Garden State Parkway
(79.5 mi)
$4.77
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
$20
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.1 | 0 | $12.62 | $5.77 |
| Efficient EV | 30.1 | 0 | $10.52 | $4.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.1 | 0 | $16.83 | $7.69 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Somerset, NJ
Morning in Somerset on Monday
Local time
6:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 5 mph
2% chance
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
7 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 30m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Cedar Grove, NJ to Somerset, NJ covers 120.2 miles and takes about 2h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, NJ 18, NJ 34. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 60.1 miles from Cedar Grove, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.89 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 120.2 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 39.6 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Cedar Grove, NJ and Somerset, NJ, road signs point toward Trenton and Gsp North.
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