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Trip from Jersey City, NJ to Dayton, NJ

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

56m

Distance

41.1 mi

66 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$7

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 13 min
4 AM
0h 52m ★
6 AM
0h 56m
8 AM
1h 5m
10 AM
1h 0m
12 PM
0h 59m
3 PM
1h 0m
5 PM
1h 5m
8 PM
0h 54m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Dayton, NJ, NJ

Dayton, NJ

Tashaud Bullock

Trip Overview

The drive from Jersey City, NJ to Dayton, NJ covers 41.1 miles and takes about 56m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on New Jersey Turnpike, US 1 Truck, US 1 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 29.5 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $6.81 one way before food or hotel costs.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 56m. Total distance: 41.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

56m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 56m highway drive covering 41.1 miles, with most of the trip on New Jersey Turnpike and US 1 Truck. The longest continuous stretch is about 29.5 miles on New Jersey Turnpike.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
New Jersey Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 29.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and US 1 Truck. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck.

Driving Effort 10/10

Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a short but busy drive. With 19 decision points packed into just 41.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 56m.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
0.9 mi into trip | ~1m in | US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck

Take the exit onto US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck toward US 1 South, US 9 South: Newark Airport, Port Newark Elizabeth Seaport

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. Toward US 1 South, US 9 South: Newark Airport,...
7
5.6 mi into trip | ~9m in

Take the exit toward I 78 East, I 95, NJTP: New Jersey Turnpike Toll

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. Toward I 78 East, I 95, NJTP: New Jersey Turnpi...
8
6.3 mi into trip | ~10m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
8
37 mi into trip | ~47m in | Exit 8A

Take the exit onto Exit 8A toward NJ 32: Jamesburg, Cranbury

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 8A Toward NJ 32: Jamesburg, Cranbury
8
37.8 mi into trip | ~49m in

Keep slight right at fork toward CR 535: Cranbury, South Brunswick

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward CR 535: Cranbury, South Brunswick

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Jersey City, NJ and Dayton, NJ, road signs point toward Newark Airport, Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike Toll, Njtp South: Trenton, Cranbury, Cr 535: Cranbury and Brunswick.

Newark Airport

2.8 mi in | ~5m | via US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck

Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike Toll

5.6 mi in | ~9m

Njtp South: Trenton

6.3 mi in | ~10m

Cranbury

37 mi in | ~47m | via Exit 8A

Cr 535: Cranbury

37.8 mi in | ~49m

Brunswick

37.8 mi in | ~49m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New Jersey Turnpike 29.5 mi 35m
US 1 Truck 3 mi 5m
US 1 2.1 mi 2m
Georges Road 1 mi 2m
Forsgate Drive 0.8 mi 1m
Exit 8A 0.8 mi 1m
US 130 0.6 mi <1m
Duncan Avenue 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: New Jersey Turnpike — 29.5 mi, about 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Jersey City, NJ and Dayton, NJ.

1

Start on Olean Avenue

316 ft · 15 sec · Olean Avenue
2

Turn right onto Duncan Avenue

0.4 mi · 53 sec · Duncan Avenue
3

Turn left onto US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck

0.4 mi · 44 sec · US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
Use the left lane.
4

Take the exit onto US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck

1.9 mi · 3 min · US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
Toward US 1 South, US 9 South: Newark Airport, Port Newark Elizabeth Seaport Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit onto US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck

0.7 mi · 1 min · US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
Toward US 1 Truck South, US 9 Truck South: Port Newark, Newark Airport
6

Merge onto US 1; US 9

2.1 mi · 2 min · US 1; US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 78 East, I 95, NJTP: New Jersey Turnpike Toll Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Merge onto I 78

47 ft · 0 sec · I 95/NJTP North Tolls
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 95/NJTP North Tolls

0.1 mi · 7 sec · I 95/NJTP North Tolls
10

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 49 sec
12

Merge onto I 95

30 mi · 35 min · New Jersey Turnpike
13

Take the exit onto Exit 8A

0.8 mi · 1 min · Exit 8A
Exit 8A Toward NJ 32: Jamesburg, Cranbury Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 1 min
Toward CR 535: Cranbury, South Brunswick Use the slight right lane.
15

Turn left onto CR 535

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Cranbury-South River Road
Use the left lane.
16

Turn right onto NJ 32

0.8 mi · 1 min · Forsgate Drive
17

Turn slight right

0.1 mi · 25 sec
Toward US 130 North: New Brunswick
18

Merge onto US 130

0.6 mi · 47 sec · US 130
Use the left / straight lanes.
19

Take the exit

312 ft · 8 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
20

Continue on CR 697

1.0 mi · 2 min · Georges Road
21

Turn right

45 ft · 6 sec
22

Turn left

176 ft · 16 sec
23

Turn left

30 ft · 2 sec
24

Arrive at destination

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 20.5 mi from Jersey City, NJ · 27m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

21 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

Somerset, NJ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 20.5 miles from Jersey City, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Dayton, NJ

Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Dayton, NJ if you are unfamiliar with the area.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$6.81 one way

$13.63 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 14 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $7.46 $14.93
premium $4.93 $7.97 $15.94
diesel $5.61 $9.07 $18.15

Estimated Tolls: $4.13

New Jersey Turnpike (29.5 mi) $4.13

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$7

Tolls

$4

Total

$11

Estimated CO2 emission: 14.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 12.3 0 $4.32 $1.97
Efficient EV 10.3 0 $3.60 $1.64
EV Truck/SUV 16.4 0 $5.75 $2.63

Gas CO2

14 kg

EV CO2

5 kg (64% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Jersey City, NJ

Night in Jersey City on Thursday

Local time

10:22 PM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Dayton, NJ

Night in Dayton on Thursday

Local time

10:22 PM

EDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

22 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

56m 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 Jersey City, NJ to Dayton, NJ covers 41.1 miles and takes about 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New Jersey Turnpike, US 1 Truck, US 1. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 20.5 miles from Jersey City, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.81 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 short but busy drive. With 19 decision points packed into just 41.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 56m.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Jersey City, NJ and Dayton, NJ, road signs point toward Newark Airport, Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike Toll, Njtp South: Trenton, Cranbury, Cr 535: Cranbury and Brunswick.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Dayton, NJ to Jersey City, NJ

Plan the drive back the other way.

40.5 mi 55m

Explore more options from Jersey City, NJ or browse trips ending in Dayton, NJ.

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