Origin
Linwood, NJ
Evening in Linwood on Wednesday
Local time
6:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Linwood, NJ to Middletown, NJ
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
1h 46m
Distance
85.2 mi
137 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 39m
★
6 AM
1h 46m
8 AM
2h 2m
10 AM
1h 52m
12 PM
1h 50m
3 PM
1h 53m
5 PM
2h 1m
8 PM
1h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Linwood, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Middletown, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 85.2-mile drive from Linwood, NJ to Middletown, NJ is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 46 minutes. With 90% of the journey on highways, it's a primarily high-speed route. The estimated fuel cost is around $14, and since it's a relatively short distance, it's perfectly suited for a single-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on the Garden State Parkway, making this a focused drive through the Northeast region of New Jersey. Plan for a smooth, efficient journey without the need for overnight stays.
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
42.6 miles from Linwood, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for this 85.2-mile trip, with 90% of the route utilizing major roadways like the Garden State Parkway, Shore Road, and Tilton Road. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 76.5 miles on the Garden State Parkway, indicating a consistent flow of traffic and minimal need for frequent turns. This profile suggests a drive characterized by steady speeds and broad, open sections, rather than winding local roads or city navigation. You'll likely find the drive progresses with a predictable rhythm, allowing for a relaxed pace behind the wheel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 76.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Shore Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.2 miles in near CR 651 / Fire Road.
Route Complexity
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.2 miles you will encounter 14 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 4.2 miles (CR 651 / Fire Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 5 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
4.2 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
CR 651 / Fire Road
Turn right onto CR 651 / Fire Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
4.8 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit toward GSP Toll North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward GSP Toll North
5
5 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
22.1 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
GSP / Garden State Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
82 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward Holmdel, Middletown
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 114
Toward Holmdel, Middletown
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Linwood, NJ to Middletown, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Gsp Toll North along the way.
Gsp Toll North
4.8 mi in
|
~8m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 76.5 mi | 1h 29m |
| Shore Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Tilton Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Holland Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Van Schoick Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| Fire Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Red Hill Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Kings Highway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 76.5 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Linwood, NJ and Middletown, NJ.
1
Start on CR 585
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Shore Road
2
Turn slight left onto CR 563
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Tilton Road
Use the left / slight left lanes.
3
Turn right onto CR 651
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
Fire Road
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto US 40; US 322
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Black Horse Pike
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward GSP Toll North
6
Merge onto GSP
17 mi
·
19 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
50 mi
·
58 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
31 sec
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto GSP
9.1 mi
·
10 min
·
Garden State Parkway
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 114
Toward Holmdel, Middletown
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn right onto CR 52
440 ft
·
11 sec
·
Red Hill Road
13
Continue on CR 52
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Van Schoick Road
14
Turn right onto Holland Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Holland Road
15
Turn left onto Red Hill Road
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Red Hill Road
16
Turn right onto Kings Highway
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Kings Highway
17
Arrive at destination
CR 50
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 46 minute duration, this trip offers great flexibility; you can leave whenever suits you best. With only 85.2 miles and a $14 fuel cost, you won't need to worry much about frequent stops for gas. The longest stretch on the Garden State Parkway is 76.5 miles, so plan to take a break before or after that significant segment if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the Parkway, as services can sometimes be spread out. A good tip is to check traffic conditions on the Garden State Parkway before you depart, as it's a major artery and can experience congestion.
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 42.6 miles from Linwood, NJ, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.5 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 19 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.6 miles or 52m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Middletown, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Linwood, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Linwood, NJ
This is one driving day of about 85.2 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Linwood, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 76.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42.6 mi from Linwood, NJ · 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.6 miles from Linwood, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Garden State Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76.5 miles.
Arriving in Middletown, NJ
The final approach into Middletown, 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
$14.13 one way
$28.25 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $15.47 | $30.94 |
| premium | $4.93 | $16.52 | $33.05 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.81 | $37.62 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.59
Garden State Parkway
(76.5 mi)
$4.59
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
$14
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.6 | 0 | $8.95 | $4.09 |
| Efficient EV | 21.3 | 0 | $7.46 | $3.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.1 | 0 | $11.93 | $5.45 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Middletown, NJ
Evening in Middletown on Wednesday
Local time
6:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°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
10 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 46m 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 Linwood, NJ to Middletown, NJ covers 85.2 miles and takes about 1h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, Shore Road, Tilton 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 42.6 miles from Linwood, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.13 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 85.2 miles you will encounter 14 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 4.2 miles (CR 651 / Fire Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 5 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Linwood, NJ to Middletown, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Gsp Toll North along the way.
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