Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
28m
Distance
21.8 mi
35 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Denville, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
This short 21.8-mile drive from Denville, NJ to Newark, NJ is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 28 minutes to complete. The route is predominantly highway-focused, with about 61% of the journey on major roadways. You'll navigate primarily via the Essex Freeway, Christopher Columbus Highway, and University Avenue. With a modest estimated fuel cost of $4, this trip is budget-friendly. Given its brevity and focus on efficient travel within the Northeast region, it's perfect for a quick commute or an easy transition between locations without needing an overnight stay.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 28m. Total distance: 21.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this trip, with 61% of the drive on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 13.3 miles along the Essex Freeway, offering a consistent pace. You'll primarily be on the Essex Freeway, Christopher Columbus Highway, and University Avenue, which largely maintain a consistent character throughout the journey. This route prioritizes direct travel, so while scenic detours aren't the focus, you'll experience efficient movement between your starting and ending points.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Essex Freeway and Christopher Columbus Highway. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 21.8 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 6.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left toward I 80 East
Navigation decision point
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
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
Turn right onto Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto CR 510 / Market Street
Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Denville, NJ and Newark, NJ, road signs point toward Broad Street Station, Rutgers University and Essex County College.
Broad Street Station
Rutgers University
Essex County College
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Essex Freeway | 13.3 mi | 16m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 6 mi | 6m |
| University Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Market Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Orange Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Main Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Center Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Denville, NJ and Newark, NJ.
Start on Broadway Avenue
Turn right onto Center Street
Turn right onto Bloomfield Avenue
Turn left onto NJ 53
Turn left
Merge onto I 80
Take the exit
Continue on I 280
Take the exit
Turn right onto Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Keep slight left at fork onto Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Turn left onto Orange Street
Turn right onto University Avenue
Turn left onto CR 510
Arrive at destination
Regular Gas
$3.61 one way
$7.23 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $3.96 | $7.92 |
| premium | $4.93 | $4.23 | $8.46 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.81 | $9.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.6 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 | 6.5 | 0 | $2.29 | $1.05 |
| Efficient EV | 5.5 | 0 | $1.91 | $0.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.7 | 0 | $3.05 | $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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Denville on Friday
Local time
8:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Evening in Newark on Friday
Local time
8:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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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