Origin
Franklin Lakes, NJ
Late night in Franklin Lakes on Wednesday
Local time
5:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Franklin Lakes, NJ to Trenton, NJ
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 44m
Distance
70.5 mi
114 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 37m
★
6 AM
1h 45m
8 AM
2h 0m
10 AM
1h 50m
12 PM
1h 49m
3 PM
1h 51m
5 PM
1h 59m
8 PM
1h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Franklin Lakes, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trenton, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Franklin Lakes, NJ to Trenton, NJ covers 70.5 miles and takes about 1h 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 1, Garden State Parkway, Belmont Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 27.4 miles on US 1. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.69 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
35.3 miles from Franklin Lakes, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 1h 44m highway drive covering 70.5 miles, with most of the trip on US 1 and Garden State Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 27.4 miles on US 1.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 1 is the longest continuous segment at about 27.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 1 and Garden State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.3 miles in near NJ 19 / Ward Street.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 70.5 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 8.3 miles (NJ 19 / Ward Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 36.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
8.3 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
NJ 19 / Ward Street
Turn right onto NJ 19 / Ward Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
36.1 mi into trip
|
~53m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 130B-A
Toward US 1: Newark, Trenton
9
36.4 mi into trip
|
~54m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 1 South: Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 130B
Toward US 1 South: Trenton
7
46.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
|
US 1
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
68.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward Olden Avenue, New York Avenue
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 Olden Avenue, New York Avenue
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Franklin Lakes, NJ to Trenton, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Gsp South along the way.
Gsp South
10.5 mi in
|
~17m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 1 | 27.4 mi | 39m |
| Garden State Parkway | 23.8 mi | 33m |
| Belmont Avenue | 3.4 mi | 6m |
| Trenton Freeway | 3 mi | 4m |
| Ewing Avenue | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| NJ 19 | 2 mi | 2m |
| North Olden Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Garden State Parkway Southbound | 1.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 1
— 27.4 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin Lakes, NJ and Trenton, NJ.
1
Start on Shirley Avenue
0.2 mi
·
59 sec
·
Shirley Avenue
2
Turn right onto CR S-89
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Franklin Avenue
3
Turn right onto CR 502
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Ewing Avenue
Use the straight lane.
4
At end of road, turn left onto CR 89
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
High Mountain Road
5
Keep slight right at fork onto CR 675
3.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Belmont Avenue
6
Turn left onto CR 673
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
West Broadway
7
Turn right onto CR 509
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
Main Street
8
Turn right onto NJ 19
397 ft
·
9 sec
·
Ward Street
Use the right lane.
9
Continue on NJ 19
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Oliver Street
10
Turn slight left onto NJ 19
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
NJ 19
Use the slight left lane.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward GSP South
Use the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto GSP
24 mi
·
33 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Continue on Garden State Parkway
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Garden State Parkway Southbound
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 130B-A
Toward US 1: Newark, Trenton
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 130B
Toward US 1 South: Trenton
Use the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto US 1
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
US 1
17
Continue on US 1
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 1
7.4 mi
·
11 min
·
US 1
Use the slight right lane.
19
Continue on US 1
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
US 1
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
276 ft
·
4 sec
·
US 1
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
387 ft
·
6 sec
·
US 1
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
US 1
23
Continue on US 1
14 mi
·
19 min
·
US 1
Use the straight lane.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
Use the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
26
Merge onto US 1
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Brunswick Pike
27
Continue on US 1
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Trenton Freeway
28
Take the exit
474 ft
·
14 sec
Toward Olden Avenue, New York Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
29
At end of road, turn left onto New York Avenue
481 ft
·
14 sec
·
New York Avenue
30
Turn left onto CR 622
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Olden Avenue
Use the left lane.
31
Turn right onto CR 606
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Hamilton Avenue
32
Turn right onto CR 626
6 ft
·
0 sec
·
Chambers Street
33
Arrive at destination
CR 626
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 35.3 miles from Franklin Lakes, NJ, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.4 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 70.5 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.3 miles or 52m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Trenton, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Franklin Lakes, 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 Franklin Lakes, NJ
This is one driving day of about 70.5 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Franklin Lakes, 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 US 1 for about 27.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 35.3 mi from Franklin Lakes, NJ · 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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 70.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35.3 miles from Franklin Lakes, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Trenton, NJ
The final approach into Trenton, 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 Trenton, 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
$11.69 one way
$23.38 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $12.80 | $25.60 |
| premium | $4.93 | $13.67 | $27.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.57 | $31.13 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.51
Garden State Parkway
(25.1 mi)
$1.51
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
$12
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.2 | 0 | $7.40 | $3.38 |
| Efficient EV | 17.6 | 0 | $6.17 | $2.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.2 | 0 | $9.87 | $4.51 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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
Trenton, NJ
Late night in Trenton on Wednesday
Local time
5:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°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
1 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
1h 44m 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 Franklin Lakes, NJ to Trenton, NJ covers 70.5 miles and takes about 1h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 1, Garden State Parkway, Belmont Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35.3 miles from Franklin Lakes, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.69 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 24 significant decision points across 70.5 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 8.3 miles (NJ 19 / Ward Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 36.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Franklin Lakes, NJ to Trenton, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Gsp South along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Trenton, NJ
More from Franklin Lakes, NJ
More trips to Trenton, NJ
Explore more options from Franklin Lakes, NJ or browse trips ending in Trenton, NJ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NJ road trips.
Explore maps for Franklin Lakes, NJ or Trenton, NJ on MapSof.net.