Skip to main content

Trip from Jersey City, NJ to Mercerville, NJ

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 15m

Distance

52.6 mi

85 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$9

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 18 min
4 AM
1h 10m ★
6 AM
1h 16m
8 AM
1h 28m
10 AM
1h 20m
12 PM
1h 19m
3 PM
1h 21m
5 PM
1h 27m
8 PM
1h 12m

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

Downtown Mercerville, NJ, NJ

Mercerville, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Jersey City, NJ to Mercerville, NJ covers 52.6 miles and takes about 1h 15m 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, Old Trenton Road, US 1 Truck 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 $8.72 one way before food or hotel costs.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 15m. Total distance: 52.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

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

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 1h 15m highway drive covering 52.6 miles, with most of the trip on New Jersey Turnpike and Old Trenton Road. 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 22 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 Old Trenton Road. 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

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 52.6 miles you will encounter 16 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 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 16 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 Mercerville, 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
Old Trenton Road 8.5 mi 15m
US 1 Truck 3 mi 5m
US 1 2.1 mi 2m
Edinburg Road 1.9 mi 3m
South River Road 1.8 mi 3m
US 130 1.3 mi 1m
Cranbury-South River Road 0.8 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 Mercerville, 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

0.8 mi · 1 min · Cranbury-South River Road
Use the left lane.
16

Continue on CR 535

1.8 mi · 3 min · South River Road
Use the straight lane.
17

Turn slight right onto CR 535

377 ft · 9 sec · CR 535
18

Turn left onto US 130; CR 535

1.2 mi · 1 min · US 130; CR 535
Use the left / right lanes.
19

Continue on US 130

252 ft · 8 sec · US 130
20

Turn right onto CR 685

8.5 mi · 15 min · Old Trenton Road
Use the right lane.
21

Continue on CR 535

1.9 mi · 3 min · Edinburg Road
22

Arrive at destination

CR 535

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 26.3 mi from Jersey City, NJ · 34m into the drive

township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Edison, NJ

26 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

Staten Island, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Edison, NJ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 26.3 miles from Jersey City, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Mercerville, NJ

The final approach into Mercerville, NJ usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$8.72 one way

$17.44 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 18 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $9.55 $19.10
premium $4.93 $10.20 $20.40
diesel $5.61 $11.61 $23.23

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

$9

Tolls

$4

Total

$13

Estimated CO2 emission: 18.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 15.8 0 $5.52 $2.52
Efficient EV 13.2 0 $4.60 $2.10
EV Truck/SUV 21 0 $7.36 $3.37

Gas CO2

18 kg

EV CO2

6 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Jersey City, NJ

Night in Jersey City on Friday

Local time

9:09 PM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Mercerville, NJ

Night in Mercerville on Friday

Local time

9:09 PM

EDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

63°F

Edison, NJ

26 mi in

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

23 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 15m 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 Mercerville, NJ covers 52.6 miles and takes about 1h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are New Jersey Turnpike, Old Trenton Road, US 1 Truck. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 26.3 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 $8.72 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 52.6 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

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 Mercerville, 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.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NJ road trips.