Origin
Highland Park, NJ
Evening in Highland Park on Sunday
Local time
8:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Highland Park, NJ to New Brunswick, NJ
Drive Time
1h 20m
Distance
61.7 mi
99 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 14m
★
6 AM
1h 20m
8 AM
1h 33m
10 AM
1h 25m
12 PM
1h 23m
3 PM
1h 25m
5 PM
1h 32m
8 PM
1h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Highland Park, NJ
David Kanigan
New Brunswick, NJ
Illya Goloborodko
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion within the Northeast, this 61.7-mile connection between Highland Park and New Brunswick is a straightforward journey. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 20 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $10, it is an economical route that requires no overnight stops. The path relies heavily on major thoroughfares, ensuring you reach your destination efficiently. Because both towns are located in New Jersey, you will remain within the same region for the duration of the trip. Whether you are commuting or just looking for a change of scenery, this drive offers a simple, low-stress transit 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
30.8 miles from Highland Park, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 37m into the drive .
Drive Character
This highway-focused drive is defined by a blend of fast-paced interstate travel and transitionary local roads. You will spend roughly 65% of your time on highways, providing a consistent flow as you navigate toward your destination. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 39.8 miles on I-295, where you can settle into a steady cruising rhythm. Eventually, the experience shifts as you exit the interstate to navigate via Brunswick Pike and Livingston Avenue. This transition from high-speed transit to local streets ensures you stay engaged with the changing road environment throughout the 1 hour and 20 minute duration.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 295 is the longest continuous segment at about 39.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 295 and Brunswick Pike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Klemm Avenue.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 61.7 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 0.2 miles (Klemm Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.3 miles (Exit 1B): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Klemm Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto Klemm Avenue
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
8
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the exit toward I 76 East: Atlantic City, Trenton, Delaware Memorial Bridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 76 East: Atlantic City, Trenton, Delaw...
7
1.3 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Exit 1B
Take the exit onto Exit 1B toward I 295 North: Trenton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1B
Toward I 295 North: Trenton
8
41.7 mi into trip
|
~49m in
Take the exit toward US 1: New Brunswick, Trenton
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.
Exit 67A-B
Toward US 1: New Brunswick, Trenton
8
41.9 mi into trip
|
~50m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 1 North: New Brunswick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 67A
Toward US 1 North: New Brunswick
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Highland Park, NJ to New Brunswick, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Trenton along the way.
Trenton
41.7 mi in
|
~49m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 295 | 39.8 mi | 45m |
| Brunswick Pike | 16 mi | 22m |
| Livingston Avenue | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| Exit 1B | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| North-South Freeway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Crescent Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Klemm Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Sylvan Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 39.8 mi, about 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Highland Park, NJ and New Brunswick, NJ.
1
Start on Sylvan Avenue
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
·
Sylvan Avenue
2
At end of road, turn right onto Klemm Avenue
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Klemm Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 130
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
Crescent Boulevard
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 76 East: Atlantic City, Trenton, Delaware Memorial Bridge
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
5
Merge onto I 76
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
·
North-South Freeway
6
Take the exit onto Exit 1B
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Exit 1B
Exit 1B
Toward I 295 North: Trenton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 295
40 mi
·
45 min
·
I 295
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 67A-B
Toward US 1: New Brunswick, Trenton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 67A
Toward US 1 North: New Brunswick
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto US 1
16 mi
·
22 min
·
Brunswick Pike
Use the none lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward NJ 26: Livingston Ave, New Brunswick
12
Turn straight onto NJ 26
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Livingston Avenue
Use the none lane.
13
Turn left onto Delavan Street
68 ft
·
3 sec
·
Delavan Street
14
Arrive at destination
Delavan Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 61.7-mile drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your scheduling to avoid peak traffic congestion. You will not need to plan for any formal stops, allowing you to complete the journey in one continuous push. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you depart, as the $10 estimate is based on typical transit conditions; having a full tank before hitting I-295 is a smart move. Because the route relies on a significant highway share, try to check local traffic reports for I-295 before you leave to ensure your timing remains accurate. Enjoy the simplicity of this direct route, and use the extra time you save to explore your destination upon arrival.
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 30.8 miles from Highland Park, NJ, or about 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.8 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 61.7 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 30.8 miles or 37m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Brunswick, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Highland 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 Highland Park, NJ
This is one driving day of about 61.7 miles and 1h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Highland 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 I 295 for about 39.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 30.8 mi from Highland Park, NJ · 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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 61.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 30.8 miles from Highland Park, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in New Brunswick, NJ
The final approach into New Brunswick, 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 New Brunswick, 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
$10.21 one way
$20.42 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $11.17 | $22.34 |
| premium | $4.92 | $11.96 | $23.91 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $13.71 | $27.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.5 | 0 | $6.48 | $2.96 |
| Efficient EV | 15.4 | 0 | $5.40 | $2.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.7 | 0 | $8.64 | $3.95 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 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
New Brunswick, NJ
Evening in New Brunswick on Sunday
Local time
8:26 PM
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
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
1h 20m 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 Highland Park, NJ to New Brunswick, NJ covers 61.7 miles and takes about 1h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 295, Brunswick Pike, Livingston 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 30.8 miles from Highland Park, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.21 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 12 significant decision points across 61.7 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 0.2 miles (Klemm Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.3 miles (Exit 1B): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Highland Park, NJ to New Brunswick, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Trenton along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From New Brunswick, NJ
More from Highland Park, NJ
More trips to New Brunswick, NJ
Explore more options from Highland Park, NJ or browse trips ending in New Brunswick, NJ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NJ road trips.
Explore maps for Highland Park, NJ or New Brunswick, NJ on MapSof.net.