Origin
Elmwood Park, NJ
Night in Elmwood Park on Sunday
Local time
9:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Elmwood Park, NJ to East Orange, NJ
Drive Time
18m
Distance
12.8 mi
21 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 17m
★
6 AM
0h 19m
8 AM
0h 22m
10 AM
0h 20m
12 PM
0h 19m
3 PM
0h 20m
5 PM
0h 22m
8 PM
0h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
East Orange, NJ
Malcolm Garret
Trip Overview
Spanning just 12.8 miles, this quick trip between Elmwood Park and East Orange is a straightforward transit within the Northeast region. Expect to spend about 18 minutes behind the wheel, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day journey. Because the total fuel cost is estimated at only $2, it is an incredibly budget-friendly commute. You will primarily navigate via the Garden State Parkway, US 46, and Mola Boulevard. Since both towns reside in New Jersey, you will remain within the same state throughout the entire experience. This is a practical, no-nonsense drive that requires no overnight stops, allowing you to easily handle your business or errands and return home in no time.
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
6.4 miles from Elmwood Park, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 9m into the drive .
Drive Character
With 89% of this route consisting of highway driving, you should be prepared for a fast-paced, efficiency-focused experience. The drive transitions through various road types, beginning with local streets before hitting the primary arteries. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 7.2 miles on the Garden State Parkway, which defines the bulk of your time on the road. The personality of this trip is distinctly highway-oriented, prioritizing speed and directness over leisurely pacing. You can expect a consistent, high-speed flow as you move between these two New Jersey communities.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 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 7.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and US 46. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Mola Boulevard.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 8 significant decision points across 12.8 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: near the start (Mola Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles (US 46): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Mola Boulevard
Turn right onto Mola Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
2.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
US 46
Keep slight right at fork onto US 46
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
4.4 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward NJ 19 North, GSP South
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 19 North, GSP South
7
4.5 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward GSP Toll South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward GSP Toll South
7
12.1 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Take the exit toward East Orange
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 147
Toward East Orange
Towns Along This Route
Between Elmwood Park, NJ and East Orange, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp South, Gsp Toll South and Orange.
Gsp South
4.4 mi in
|
~6m
Gsp Toll South
4.5 mi in
|
~6m
Orange
12.1 mi in
|
~17m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 7.2 mi | 9m |
| US 46 | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| Mola Boulevard | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Parkway Drive | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Linden Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 7.2 mi, about 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elmwood Park, NJ and East Orange, NJ.
1
Start on Linden Avenue
128 ft
·
7 sec
·
Linden Avenue
2
Turn right onto Mola Boulevard
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Mola Boulevard
Use the none lane.
3
Take the ramp
331 ft
·
9 sec
4
Merge onto US 46
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 46
Use the none lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto US 46
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
US 46
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
519 ft
·
12 sec
Toward NJ 19 North, GSP South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward GSP Toll South
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Merge onto GSP
7.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 147
Toward East Orange
Use the slight right lane.
10
Turn straight onto Parkway Drive
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
Parkway Drive
Use the straight lane.
11
Arrive at destination
Parkway Drive
Trip Plan
Given the short 18-minute duration, you have significant flexibility when choosing your departure time. However, because the route relies heavily on major highways like the Garden State Parkway, try to avoid peak rush hours to ensure you maintain that quick pace. You won't need to plan for any formal stops, as the distance is short enough to drive straight through without fatigue. Keep your $2 fuel budget in mind, but remember that traffic flow can change your actual consumption. A concrete tip for this specific drive is to keep a close eye on your GPS as you transition from Mola Boulevard onto the Parkway, as these interchanges can be busy and require quick decision-making.
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 6.4 miles from Elmwood Park, NJ, or about 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 7.2 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 12.8 miles or 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6.4 miles or 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Orange, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Elmwood Park, 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 Elmwood Park, NJ
This is one driving day of about 12.8 miles and 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Elmwood Park, 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 Garden State Parkway for about 7.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6.4 mi from Elmwood Park, NJ · 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
6 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 12.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 6.4 miles from Elmwood Park, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in East Orange, NJ
The final approach into East Orange, 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 East Orange, 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
$2.12 one way
$4.24 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $2.32 | $4.64 |
| premium | $4.92 | $2.48 | $4.96 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.84 | $5.69 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.43
Garden State Parkway
(7.2 mi)
$0.43
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
$2
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.8 | 0 | $1.34 | $0.61 |
| Efficient EV | 3.2 | 0 | $1.12 | $0.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.1 | 0 | $1.79 | $0.82 |
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
East Orange, NJ
Night in East Orange on Sunday
Local time
9:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
18m 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 Elmwood Park, NJ to East Orange, NJ covers 12.8 miles and takes about 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, US 46, Mola Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 6.4 miles from Elmwood Park, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.12 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 8 significant decision points across 12.8 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: near the start (Mola Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles (US 46): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Elmwood Park, NJ and East Orange, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp South, Gsp Toll South and Orange.
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