Trip from Lakewood, NJ to Montvale, NJ

Drive Time

1h 52m

Distance

75.2 mi

121 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 44m ★
6 AM
1h 53m
8 AM
2h 9m
10 AM
1h 58m
12 PM
1h 57m
3 PM
1h 59m
5 PM
2h 8m
8 PM
1h 48m

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

Downtown Lakewood, NJ, NJ

Lakewood, NJ

James Kampeis

Downtown Montvale, NJ, NJ

Montvale, NJ

Peter Vang

Trip Overview

Spanning 75.2 miles across the Northeast, this drive connects Lakewood to Montvale in approximately 1 hour and 52 minutes. Because the trip is short and straightforward, it works perfectly as a manageable day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You can expect to budget about $12 for fuel, making this an economical choice for your travel plans. The route primarily utilizes the Garden State Parkway, US Highway 9, and Kinderkamack Road to navigate through New Jersey. Whether you are heading north for business or personal travel, the efficiency of this highway-focused path provides a clear, predictable journey between these two points.

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

37.6 miles from Lakewood, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a commute dominated by major thoroughfares, as highway travel accounts for 87% of your total drive time. The experience is defined by a consistent, fast-paced rhythm, highlighted by a significant 39.8-mile stretch on the Garden State Parkway. While the initial sections rely heavily on high-speed interstate driving, the character of the road shifts as you transition onto local arteries like Kinderkamack Road. You will find that the drive feels like a standard highway grind, prioritizing utility and speed over scenic detours. Stay focused behind the wheel, as the transition from heavy-traffic parkway lanes to the smaller, more localized roads requires a quick adjustment in your driving style.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Garden State Parkway 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 Garden State Parkway and US Highway 9. 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.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 75.2 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: near the start (US 9; CR 547 / Madison Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.4 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 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 none lane.
5
27.4 mi into trip | ~42m in | GSP / Garden State Parkway

Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
8
67.2 mi into trip | ~1h 37m in

Take the exit toward Ridgewood, Oradell

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 165A-B Toward Ridgewood, Oradell
9
67.4 mi into trip | ~1h 38m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Oradell

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / slight right lanes. Exit 165A Toward Oradell
6
68.3 mi into trip | ~1h 39m in | CR 59 / Forest Avenue

Turn left onto CR 59 / Forest Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Towns Along This Route

Between Lakewood, NJ and Montvale, NJ, road signs point toward Ridgewood and Oradell.

Ridgewood

67.2 mi in | ~1h 37m

Oradell

67.2 mi in | ~1h 37m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Garden State Parkway 39.8 mi 55m
US Highway 9 26 mi 38m
Kinderkamack Road 3.5 mi 5m
Forest Avenue 1.1 mi 1m
Madison Avenue 1 mi 1m
Oradell Avenue 0.7 mi 1m
3rd Avenue 0.7 mi 1m
4th Avenue 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Garden State Parkway — 39.8 mi, about 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lakewood, NJ and Montvale, 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 none lane.
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

40 mi · 55 min · Garden State Parkway
Use the none lane.
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Exit 165A-B Toward Ridgewood, Oradell Use the slight right lane.
7

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Exit 165A Toward Oradell Use the none / slight right lanes.
8

Turn right onto CR 80

0.7 mi · 1 min · Oradell Avenue
9

Turn left onto CR 59

1.1 mi · 1 min · Forest Avenue
Use the left lane.
10

Continue on CR 59

0.6 mi · 1 min · 4th Avenue
11

Keep slight right at fork onto CR 59

0.7 mi · 1 min · 3rd Avenue
12

At end of road, turn right onto CR 502; CR 110

309 ft · 7 sec · Washington Avenue
13

Continue on CR 110

0.2 mi · 28 sec · Westwood Avenue
14

Turn left onto CR 503

3.5 mi · 5 min · Kinderkamack Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
15

Turn right onto CR 94

0.3 mi · 39 sec · Grand Avenue East
16

Turn left onto Hillcrest Avenue

0.3 mi · 1 min · Hillcrest Avenue
17

Continue on Myrtle Street

423 ft · 18 sec · Myrtle Street
18

Continue on Penn Avenue

363 ft · 15 sec · Penn Avenue
19

Arrive at destination

Penn Avenue

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively quick trip, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns to avoid the busiest commuting hours. There are no mandatory stops scheduled for this 75.2-mile distance, allowing you to complete the journey in one continuous push if you prefer. Keep in mind that the $12 fuel estimate is based on typical conditions, so ensure your tank is topped off before you merge onto the Garden State Parkway. Because the route relies so heavily on major highways, check your navigation app for real-time construction or congestion alerts before you head out. Utilizing the full capacity of your morning or afternoon window will ensure you arrive in Montvale without unnecessary delays.

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 37.6 miles from Lakewood, NJ, or about 56m 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 75.2 miles or 1h 52m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 37.6 miles or 56m 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 33m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Montvale, 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.

+

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 Lakewood, NJ

This is one driving day of about 75.2 miles and 1h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lakewood, 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 Garden State Parkway for about 39.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 37.6 mi from Lakewood, NJ · 56m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

38 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

Yonkers, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 75.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 37.6 miles from Lakewood, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Montvale, NJ

The final approach into Montvale, 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 Montvale, 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

$12.44 one way

$24.89 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 26 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $13.62 $27.23
premium $4.92 $14.57 $29.14
diesel $5.64 $16.71 $33.41

Estimated Tolls: $2.39

Garden State Parkway (39.8 mi) $2.39

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

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$12

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 26.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 22.6 0 $7.90 $3.61
Efficient EV 18.8 0 $6.58 $3.01
EV Truck/SUV 30.1 0 $10.53 $4.81

Gas CO2

26 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (65% 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Lakewood, NJ

Night in Lakewood on Sunday

Local time

10:52 PM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Montvale, NJ

Night in Montvale on Sunday

Local time

10:52 PM

EDT

Current temp

60°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

4 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 52m 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 Montvale, NJ covers 75.2 miles and takes about 1h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, US Highway 9, Kinderkamack Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 37.6 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 $12.44 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 13 significant decision points across 75.2 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: near the start (US 9; CR 547 / Madison Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.4 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Lakewood, NJ and Montvale, NJ, road signs point toward Ridgewood and Oradell.

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Return Trip

Montvale, NJ to Lakewood, NJ

Plan the drive back the other way.

75 mi 1h 50m

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