Origin
Franklin Lakes, NJ
Afternoon in Franklin Lakes on Saturday
Local time
2:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Franklin Lakes, NJ to Trenton, NJ
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
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
Unknown
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 mostly highway. 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.
Midpoint
35.3 miles from Franklin Lakes, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
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 16 miles or 25m 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.
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 16 miles from Franklin Lakes, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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.
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 16 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 245 decision points cluster between mile 8.3 and 68.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
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
Afternoon in Trenton on Saturday
Local time
2:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 5 to 15 mph
1% chance
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
25 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
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.
What kind of drive is this?
70.5 mi in 1h 44m, mostly highway — 27.4 mi of that is on US 1.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27.4 mi on US 1.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70.5 miles you will encounter 24 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 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 44m. Total distance: 70.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 27.4 miles on US 1. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.51 in tolls one way, starting with Garden State Parkway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Trenton, NJ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Trenton, NJ before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this 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.