Origin
Lakewood, NJ
Night in Lakewood on Sunday
Local time
10:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountDrive 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
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lakewood, NJ
James Kampeis
Montvale, NJ
Peter Vang
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 .
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.
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto US 9; CR 547 / Madison Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight right at fork toward Oradell
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto CR 59 / Forest Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Between Lakewood, NJ and Montvale, NJ, road signs point toward Ridgewood and Oradell.
Ridgewood
Oradell
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Lakewood, NJ and Montvale, NJ.
Start on 8th Street
Turn right onto US 9; CR 547
Continue on US 9
Take the exit
Merge onto GSP
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn right onto CR 80
Turn left onto CR 59
Continue on CR 59
Keep slight right at fork onto CR 59
At end of road, turn right onto CR 502; CR 110
Continue on CR 110
Turn left onto CR 503
Turn right onto CR 94
Turn left onto Hillcrest Avenue
Continue on Myrtle Street
Continue on Penn Avenue
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
A short stop after about 75.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 37.6 miles from Lakewood, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$12.44 one way
$24.89 round trip
| 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
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Lakewood on Sunday
Local time
10:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Montvale on Sunday
Local time
10:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Lakewood, NJ or browse trips ending in Montvale, NJ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NJ road trips.
Explore maps for Lakewood, NJ or Montvale, NJ on MapSof.net.