Origin
East Hanover, NJ
Late night in East Hanover on Thursday
Local time
1:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
54m
Distance
34.7 mi
56 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
East Hanover, NJ
Kelly
Edison, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Planning a quick trip from East Hanover to Edison? This straightforward 34.7-mile drive should take you about 54 minutes, making it a perfect one-day excursion. You'll primarily be on the Garden State Parkway and Essex Freeway, with a portion on US 1, so expect a highway-focused experience. With a fuel cost estimated at $6, this route is budget-friendly. Since it's a short hop within New Jersey, you won't be crossing distinct regions, but the ease of this drive means you can easily fit it into a busy schedule without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
17.4 miles from East Hanover, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 27m into the drive .
This drive is predominantly highway-based, with 82% of it being on faster-paced roads. You'll encounter the Garden State Parkway for a significant stretch, including one uninterrupted segment of 13.3 miles, which offers a consistent cruising experience. The transition to the Essex Freeway and then US 1 will keep you moving efficiently. Expect a clear road personality that prioritizes getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss, typical of a utilitarian northeastern corridor drive.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Essex Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
This is a short but busy drive. With 18 decision points packed into just 34.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 54m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 10.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.6 miles (Oraton Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward Harrison Street, Clinton Street, East Orange
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto Oraton Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 1: Newark, Trenton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward US 1 South: Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between East Hanover, NJ and Edison, NJ, road signs point toward Orange, Gsp Toll South and Trenton.
Orange
Gsp Toll South
Trenton
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 13.3 mi | 18m |
| Essex Freeway | 6.9 mi | 8m |
| US 1 | 5.1 mi | 7m |
| Ridgedale Avenue | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Eagle Rock Avenue | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Garden State Parkway Southbound | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Plainfield Avenue | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Freeway Drive East | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between East Hanover, NJ and Edison, NJ.
Start on this road
Turn right
Turn right onto Deforest Avenue
Turn right onto CR 632
Turn right onto CR 611
Turn left onto CR 609
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 280
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Freeway Drive East
Turn right onto South Oraton Parkway
Continue on Whittlesey Avenue
Turn straight onto Maybaum Avenue
Continue on Oraton Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto Oraton Parkway
Take the ramp
Merge onto GSP
Continue on Garden State Parkway
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 1
Continue on US 1
Continue on US 1
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Fulton Street
Turn right onto CR 529
Turn left onto Central Avenue
Turn right onto Reed Street
Arrive at destination
Given the short 54-minute duration of this 34.7-mile trip, you have a lot of flexibility. Consider leaving during off-peak hours to avoid potential traffic congestion, especially on the Garden State Parkway. With an estimated fuel cost of just $6, you won't need to worry much about budgeting for gas. Since there are no mandated stops and the drive is so brief, you can easily pause for a quick break if needed, but it's not essential. A good tip for this route is to check traffic apps before you depart, as even short highway stretches in this area can experience delays.
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.
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 34.7 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17.4 miles or 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Edison, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Have your navigation ready before leaving East Hanover, NJ.
Day 1
Settle into the route from East Hanover, NJ
This is one driving day of about 34.7 miles and 54m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.4 mi from East Hanover, NJ · 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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.
A short stop after about 34.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 17.4 miles from East Hanover, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Edison, NJ if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$5.75 one way
$11.51 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $6.30 | $12.60 |
| premium | $4.93 | $6.73 | $13.46 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.66 | $15.32 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.88
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
$6
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.4 | 0 | $3.64 | $1.67 |
| Efficient EV | 8.7 | 0 | $3.04 | $1.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.9 | 0 | $4.86 | $2.22 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in East Hanover on Thursday
Local time
1:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Edison on Thursday
Local time
1:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°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
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.
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