Origin
Garfield, NJ
Night in Garfield on Sunday
Local time
9:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Garfield, NJ to Jersey City, NJ
Drive Time
28m
Distance
16 mi
26 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 26m
★
6 AM
0h 29m
8 AM
0h 34m
10 AM
0h 30m
12 PM
0h 30m
3 PM
0h 31m
5 PM
0h 33m
8 PM
0h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Garfield, NJ
C. M.
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Garfield to Jersey City, you are facing a quick 16-mile journey that typically takes about 28 minutes. This trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it is short enough to handle in one go without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate through the Northeast region using a combination of local streets like Outwater Lane and Ackerman Avenue, eventually connecting to NJ 21 South. With a fuel cost of just $3, it is an incredibly budget-friendly commute. Because this is a straightforward local transit, you will find it easy to plan around your own schedule.
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
8 miles from Garfield, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 14m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel rather than offering a monotonous highway grind. You will spend 0% of your time on major highways, as the route relies entirely on surface roads to get you to your destination. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is 0 miles on Outwater Lane, meaning you should expect frequent turns and a steady pace through local neighborhoods. Because the route is entirely local, the drive feels consistent from start to finish. It is a practical, no-frills experience that prioritizes navigation through local infrastructure over high-speed travel.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Outwater Lane is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Garfield, NJ to Jersey City, NJ is easy. At 28m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Garfield, NJ to Jersey City, NJ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Outwater Lane | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Ackerman Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| NJ 21 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| NJ 3 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| NJ 3 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 1 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Tonnelle Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| John F | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Outwater Lane
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Garfield, NJ and Jersey City, NJ.
1
Start on the route
154 ft
·
15 sec
·
the route
2
Turn left
404 ft
·
31 sec
3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Outwater Lane
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
Outwater Lane
4
Continue on Ackerman Avenue
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
Ackerman Avenue
5
Turn left
200 ft
·
6 sec
6
Continue on NJ 21 South: Newark
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
NJ 21 South: Newark
7
Merge slight left
3.5 mi
·
3 min
8
Take the exit slight right toward NJ 3: Clifton, Lincoln Tunnel
367 ft
·
9 sec
·
NJ 3: Clifton, Lincoln Tunnel
9
Keep slight left to continue on NJ 3 East: Lincoln Tunnel
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
NJ 3 East: Lincoln Tunnel
10
Keep slight left to continue on NJ 3 East
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
NJ 3 East
11
Merge slight left
5.7 mi
·
6 min
12
Continue on Tonnelle Avenue/US 1 and 9 Southbound
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Tonnelle Avenue/US 1 and 9 Southbound
13
Keep slight left to continue on Tonnelle Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Tonnelle Avenue
14
Turn right onto John F. Kennedy Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
John F. Kennedy Boulevard
15
Turn right onto Duncan Avenue
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Duncan Avenue
16
Turn right onto Olean Avenue
315 ft
·
14 sec
·
Olean Avenue
17
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 16-mile trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though you should account for local traffic patterns typical of the Northeast. There are no scheduled stops required for this 28-minute drive, so you can easily complete it in one sitting. Before you head out, ensure your vehicle is ready for a series of turns rather than long-distance cruising. A helpful tip for this specific route is to pay close attention to your navigation when transitioning between Outwater Lane and Ackerman Avenue, as the turn-heavy nature of the drive demands constant awareness. Keep your $3 fuel budget in mind, and enjoy the convenience of such a short transit time.
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 8 miles from Garfield, NJ, or about 14m into the drive.
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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8 miles or 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jersey City, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Garfield, 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 Garfield, NJ
This is one driving day of about 16 miles and 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Garfield, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8 mi from Garfield, NJ · 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
8 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 8 miles from Garfield, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Jersey City, NJ
The final approach into Jersey City, 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 Jersey City, 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
$2.65 one way
$5.30 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $2.90 | $5.79 |
| premium | $4.92 | $3.10 | $6.20 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.55 | $7.11 |
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
Lincoln Tunnel
$16.00
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
$3
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.8 | 0 | $1.68 | $0.77 |
| Efficient EV | 4 | 0 | $1.40 | $0.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.4 | 0 | $2.24 | $1.02 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Jersey City, NJ
Night in Jersey City on Sunday
Local time
9:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
28m 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 Garfield, NJ to Jersey City, NJ covers 16 miles and takes about 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Outwater Lane, Ackerman Avenue, NJ 21 South. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 8 miles from Garfield, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.65 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.
The drive from Garfield, NJ to Jersey City, NJ is easy. At 28m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Garfield, NJ to Jersey City, NJ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Garfield, NJ to Jersey City, NJ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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