Origin
Hackensack, NJ
Night in Hackensack on Tuesday
Local time
10:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hackensack, NJ to Jersey City, NJ
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
21m
Distance
13.5 mi
22 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 20m
★
6 AM
0h 22m
8 AM
0h 26m
10 AM
0h 23m
12 PM
0h 23m
3 PM
0h 23m
5 PM
0h 25m
8 PM
0h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hackensack, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick transition between Hackensack and Jersey City, this 13.5-mile route is a straightforward option. You can expect to spend about 21 minutes on the road, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of just $2, it is an incredibly economical way to navigate the Northeast corridor. Because the distance is so short, you certainly won’t need to worry about overnight stops or extended travel planning. Whether you are heading into the city for business or a change of scenery, the simplicity of this connection offers a stress-free experience.
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
6.8 miles from Hackensack, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 12m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged rather than cruising on autopilot. While you will spend about 22% of your time on highways, the journey relies heavily on local thoroughfares like Tonnelle Avenue, NJ 3, and Washington Avenue. You will find the longest uninterrupted stretch is just 3.2 miles along Tonnelle Avenue, so be prepared for frequent adjustments and navigating urban intersections. This route prioritizes local connectivity over high-speed interstate transit, reflecting the dense nature of the region. Keep your eyes on the road, as the character of this drive is defined by its constant shifts rather than long, monotonous highway miles.
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.
Tonnelle Avenue is the longest continuous segment at about 3.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near CR 56 / Essex Street.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 13.5 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 0.6 miles (CR 56 / Essex Street): Navigation decision point; at 6.3 miles (NJ 120): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.6 miles (NJ 3): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
CR 56 / Essex Street
Turn left onto CR 56 / Essex Street
Navigation decision point
6
6.3 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
NJ 120
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 120 toward NJ 3 East: Lincoln Tunnel, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NJ 3 East: Lincoln Tunnel, New York City
5
6.6 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
NJ 3
Merge onto NJ 3
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
11.9 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
US 1; US 9 / Tonnelle Avenue
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9 / Tonnelle Avenue toward NJ 139 East, US 1 South, US 9 South: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel, Tonnele Avenue, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward NJ 139 East, US 1 South, US 9 South: Hob...
5
13.4 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
Olean Avenue
Turn right onto Olean Avenue
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hackensack, NJ and Jersey City, NJ, road signs point toward New York City and Pulaski Skyway.
New York City
6.3 mi in
|
~11m
|
via NJ 120
Pulaski Skyway
11.9 mi in
|
~17m
|
via US 1; US 9
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tonnelle Avenue | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| NJ 3 | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| Washington Avenue | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Moonachie Road | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Hudson Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Liberty Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Larry Doby Highway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| State Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Tonnelle Avenue
— 3.2 mi, about 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hackensack, NJ and Jersey City, NJ.
1
Start on this road
44 ft
·
8 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto State Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
3
Turn left onto CR 56
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Essex Street
4
Continue on CR 124
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Hudson Street
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn right onto CR 503
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
Moonachie Road
6
Continue on CR 503
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Liberty Street
7
Continue on CR 503
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Moonachie Road
8
Continue on CR 503
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Washington Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on NJ 120
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Larry Doby Highway
10
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 120
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
NJ 120
Toward NJ 3 East: Lincoln Tunnel, New York City
11
Merge onto NJ 3
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 1; US 9
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Tonnelle Avenue
Toward NJ 139 East, US 1 South, US 9 South: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel, Tonnele Avenue, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn right onto CR 501
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
John F. Kennedy Boulevard
15
Turn right onto Duncan Avenue
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Duncan Avenue
16
Turn right onto Olean Avenue
316 ft
·
13 sec
·
Olean Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
Olean Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this route takes less than half an hour, you have maximum flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about pacing your trip with multiple rest stops, as you can easily complete the entire 13.5-mile distance in one go. Keep in mind that traffic patterns in this part of New Jersey can be unpredictable, so checking your GPS for real-time congestion on NJ 3 is always a smart move before you head out. Because you will be navigating several turn-heavy sections, ensure your mirrors are adjusted and your route is pre-loaded to avoid missing a transition. Taking advantage of the short travel time allows you to focus your energy on your arrival in Jersey City rather than the logistics of the drive itself.
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 6.8 miles from Hackensack, NJ, or about 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 3.2 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 13.5 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6.8 miles or 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 17m
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 Hackensack, 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 Hackensack, NJ
This is one driving day of about 13.5 miles and 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hackensack, 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 Tonnelle Avenue for about 3.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6.8 mi from Hackensack, NJ · 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
7 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 13.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 6.8 miles from Hackensack, 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
$2.24 one way
$4.48 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $2.45 | $4.90 |
| premium | $4.93 | $2.62 | $5.24 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.98 | $5.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.1 | 0 | $1.42 | $0.65 |
| Efficient EV | 3.4 | 0 | $1.18 | $0.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.4 | 0 | $1.89 | $0.86 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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 Tuesday
Local time
10:43 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
21m 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 Hackensack, NJ to Jersey City, NJ covers 13.5 miles and takes about 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tonnelle Avenue, NJ 3, Washington Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 6.8 miles from Hackensack, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.24 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 9 significant decision points across 13.5 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 0.6 miles (CR 56 / Essex Street): Navigation decision point; at 6.3 miles (NJ 120): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.6 miles (NJ 3): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Hackensack, NJ and Jersey City, NJ, road signs point toward New York City and Pulaski Skyway.
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