This 69.1-mile drive from Lakewood to Demarest, New Jersey, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 43 minutes. Primarily utilizing US Highway 9 and the New Jersey Turnpike, with a brief stint on its Western Spur, this route is ideal for a single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $11, it's an economical option for getting between these two points within the Northeast region. The highway-heavy profile means you'll be covering ground efficiently, making it a practical choice for a quick commute or an accessible day excursion. Given its relatively short distance and swift travel time, no overnight stop is necessary.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.6 miles from Lakewood, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 43m. Total distance: 69.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 69.1-mile trip, with 83% of the drive taking place on major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on US Highway 9, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 26 miles. The New Jersey Turnpike and its Western Spur will then guide you the rest of the way, maintaining a consistent, faster pace. This profile suggests a drive characterized by efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways, allowing you to make good time as you navigate through the Garden State. The road character remains largely consistent, prioritizing directness and speed.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US Highway 9 is the longest continuous segment at about 26 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 9 and New Jersey Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 9; CR 547 / Madison Avenue.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 69.1 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (US 9; CR 547 / Madison Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 32 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 9; CR 547 / Madison Avenue
Turn right onto US 9; CR 547 / Madison Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
32 mi into trip|~49m in
Take the exit toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Trenton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 129
Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Trenton
6
33.1 mi into trip|~51m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
6
47.6 mi into trip|~1h 10m in|I 95; NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
60.2 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward Leonia, Teaneck
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lakewood, NJ and Demarest, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New York City, Trenton, Njtp North: New York City, Leonia and Teaneck.
Njtp: New York City
32 mi in|~49m
Trenton
32 mi in|~49m
Njtp North: New York City
33 mi in|~51m
Leonia
60.2 mi in|~1h 27m
Teaneck
60.2 mi in|~1h 27m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US Highway 9
26 mi
38m
New Jersey Turnpike
14 mi
17m
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
12.6 mi
16m
Garden State Parkway
4.6 mi
6m
South Washington Avenue
3.1 mi
4m
Teaneck Road
2.9 mi
5m
Hardenburgh Avenue
1.1 mi
2m
Madison Avenue
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US Highway 9
— 26 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakewood, NJ and Demarest, NJ.
1
Start on 8th Street
46 ft·4 sec·8th Street
2
Turn right onto US 9; CR 547
1.0 mi·1 min·Madison Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on US 9
26 mi·38 min·US Highway 9
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward GSP North: Garden State Parkway
5
Merge onto GSP
4.6 mi·6 min·Garden State Parkway
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Exit 129Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, TrentonUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
8
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·1 min·this road
9
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·16 sec·this road
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
11
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
14 mi·17 min·New Jersey Turnpike
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; NJTP
13 mi·16 min·New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn slight right
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 70BToward Teaneck
15
Continue on CR 56
0.6 mi·57 sec·Degraw Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn right onto CR 39
2.9 mi·5 min·Teaneck Road
17
Continue on CR 49; CR 39
3.1 mi·4 min·South Washington Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on CR 39
0.2 mi·23 sec·Schraalenburgh Road
19
Turn right onto CR 80
1.1 mi·2 min·Hardenburgh Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
CR 80
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 43 minutes for this 69.1-mile drive, you have the flexibility to depart at a time that suits your schedule, though avoiding peak rush hours on the New Jersey Turnpike is always advisable. With no designated stops, you can decide on the fly if you need a break, but keep in mind the longest stretch without a major road change is 26 miles on US Highway 9. The estimated fuel cost is a modest $11, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you depart to avoid unnecessary stops. A practical tip for this route: be aware of potential toll plazas on the New Jersey Turnpike, and consider having an E-ZPass ready.
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 34.6 miles from Lakewood, NJ, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26 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 15 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.6 miles or 53m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Demarest, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lakewood, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lakewood, NJ
This is one driving day of about 69.1 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Lakewood, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US Highway 9 for about 26 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.6 mi from Lakewood, NJ
· 53m into the drive
The midpoint is around 34.6 miles from Lakewood, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Demarest, NJ
The final approach into Demarest, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Thomas Edison National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Today, the brick buildings on Main Street in West Orange, NJ seem quiet, betraying little evidence of the research, development, and innovation of their heyday. Visitors can step back in time to Thoma...
Silk cloth and steam locomotives; textiles and continuous paper rolls; firearms and aircraft engines. What do these things have in common? All were manufactured in the same place - Paterson, NJ. In 17...
Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...
15 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 45.3
Morristown National Historical Park commemorates the sites of General Washington and the Continental Army’s winter encampment from December 1779 to June 1780, where soldiers survived the coldest winte...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 40.5
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20.7
0
$7.26
$3.32
Efficient EV
17.3
0
$6.05
$2.76
EV Truck/SUV
27.6
0
$9.67
$4.42
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Lakewood, NJ
Night
in Lakewood on Thursday
Local time
11:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Demarest, NJ
Night
in Demarest on Thursday
Local time
11:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°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
22 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 43m 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 Lakewood, NJ to Demarest, NJ covers 69.1 miles and takes about 1h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US Highway 9, New Jersey Turnpike, New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34.6 miles from Lakewood, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.46 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 69.1 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (US 9; CR 547 / Madison Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 32 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Lakewood, NJ and Demarest, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New York City, Trenton, Njtp North: New York City, Leonia and Teaneck.
