The drive from Cedar Grove, NJ to New Brunswick, NJ covers 117.4 miles and takes about 2h 25m 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 $19.46 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.
Midpoint
58.7 miles from Cedar Grove, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 25m. Total distance: 117.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 25m highway drive covering 117.4 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 28 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
160 ft8 ft
Total Climb
273 ft
Total Descent
212 ft
Highest Point
160 ft
~100.6 mi in
Elevation Range
152 ft
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.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 117.4 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 23 key points
These 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
115.7 mi into trip|~2h 21m in|CR 527
Take the exit onto CR 527 toward NJ 172: New Brunswick, Cook/Douglass Campus, Paul Robeson Boulevard, New Street, Highland Park
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.
Toward NJ 172: New Brunswick, Cook/Douglass Cam...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cedar Grove, NJ and New Brunswick, 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
NJ 33
1.1 mi
1m
Kings Highway
0.7 mi
1m
Sea Isle Boulevard
0.5 mi
<1m
Suydam Street
0.4 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 New Brunswick, 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 98Toward NJ 138 East, I 195 West, NJ 34: Belmar, TrentonUse 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: TrentonUse 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 35BToward NJ 34 North: MatawanUse 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
Take the exit onto CR 527
0.2 mi·16 sec·CR 527
Toward NJ 172: New Brunswick, Cook/Douglass Campus, Paul Robeson Boulevard, New Street, Highland ParkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn straight onto Route 18 Service Road
0.4 mi·47 sec·Route 18 Service Road
Toward NJ 18 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn left onto Paul Robeson Boulevard
0.4 mi·1 min·Paul Robeson Boulevard
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto Suydam Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Suydam Street
26
Turn left onto CR 691
0.3 mi·36 sec·Livingston Avenue
27
Turn right onto Delavan Street
68 ft·3 sec·Delavan Street
28
Arrive at destination
Delavan Street
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 58.7 miles from Cedar Grove, NJ, or about 1h 10m 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 26 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.7 miles or 1h 10m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Brunswick, 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 117.4 miles and 2h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Cedar Grove, 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 79.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.7 mi from Cedar Grove, NJ
· 1h 10m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Morristown National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 117.4
Park Closure: Partial Reopening: Cross Estate Gardens
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...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 93.1
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...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
$10
near mile 117.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.46 one way
$38.93 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$21.32
$42.63
premium
$4.93
$22.77
$45.54
diesel
$5.61
$25.92
$51.84
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
$19
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.2
0
$12.33
$5.64
Efficient EV
29.4
0
$10.27
$4.70
EV Truck/SUV
47
0
$16.44
$7.51
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Cedar Grove, NJ
Late night
in Cedar Grove on Saturday
Local time
1:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New Brunswick, NJ
Late night
in New Brunswick on Saturday
Local time
1:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°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
22 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
2h 25m 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 Cedar Grove, NJ to New Brunswick, NJ covers 117.4 miles and takes about 2h 25m 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 58.7 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 $19.46 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 23 significant decision points across 117.4 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 New Brunswick, NJ, road signs point toward Trenton and Gsp North.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 8 ft to 160 ft elevation with about 273 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Morristown National Historical Park, Gateway National Recreation Area and Thomas Edison National Historical Park.
