Origin
Madison, NJ
Morning in Madison on Monday
Local time
10:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Madison, NJ to Lakewood, NJ
Drive Time
1h 23m
Distance
55.8 mi
90 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 17m
★
6 AM
1h 23m
8 AM
1h 36m
10 AM
1h 28m
12 PM
1h 26m
3 PM
1h 28m
5 PM
1h 35m
8 PM
1h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Madison, NJ
Garrison Gao
Lakewood, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Madison, NJ to Lakewood, NJ covers 55.8 miles and takes about 1h 23m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US Highway 9, Garden State Parkway, Garden State Parkway Southbound for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 25.9 miles on US Highway 9. At current regular gas prices, budget about $9.23 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
27.9 miles from Madison, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 40m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 1h 23m highway drive covering 55.8 miles, with most of the trip on US Highway 9 and Garden State Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 25.9 miles on US Highway 9.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 25.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 9 and Garden State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in near NJ 124.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 55.8 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: at 3 miles (NJ 124): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
6
3 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
NJ 124
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 124
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
3.3 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the ramp toward NJ 24 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward NJ 24 East
7
6.2 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 78 East Local: Newark
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 78 East Local: Newark
7
9.8 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward GSP: G.S. Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 52
Toward GSP: G.S. Parkway
8
28.6 mi into trip
|
~41m in
Take the exit toward US 9 South: Sayreville, Old Bridge
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 123
Toward US 9 South: Sayreville, Old Bridge
Towns Along This Route
Between Madison, NJ and Lakewood, NJ, road signs point toward New York City, Newark and Gsp South.
New York City
5.8 mi in
|
~10m
Newark
5.8 mi in
|
~10m
Gsp South
10 mi in
|
~16m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 9 | 25.9 mi | 38m |
| Garden State Parkway | 11.8 mi | 15m |
| Garden State Parkway Southbound | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway | 3.4 mi | 3m |
| Main Street | 3 mi | 7m |
| NJ 24 | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| Madison Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| NJ 124 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 9
— 25.9 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madison, NJ and Lakewood, NJ.
1
Start on NJ 124
3.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Main Street
2
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 124
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
NJ 124
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Toward NJ 24 East
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
4
Merge onto NJ 24
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
NJ 24
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I 78 East: Holland Tunnel, New York City, Newark
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Toward I 78 East Local: Newark
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 78
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 52
Toward GSP: G.S. Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward GSP South
10
Merge onto GSP
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on Garden State Parkway
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Garden State Parkway Southbound
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
Garden State Parkway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 123
Toward US 9 South: Sayreville, Old Bridge
Use the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto US 9
26 mi
·
38 min
·
US Highway 9
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on US 9
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Madison Avenue
17
Turn left onto 8th Street
46 ft
·
2 sec
·
8th Street
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
8th Street
Trip Plan
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 27.9 miles from Madison, NJ, or about 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.9 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 55.8 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 27.9 miles or 40m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakewood, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Madison, 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 Madison, NJ
This is one driving day of about 55.8 miles and 1h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Madison, 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 US Highway 9 for about 25.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 27.9 mi from Madison, NJ · 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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 55.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27.9 miles from Madison, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lakewood, NJ
The final approach into Lakewood, 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 Lakewood, 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
$9.23 one way
$18.47 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $10.10 | $20.21 |
| premium | $4.92 | $10.81 | $21.63 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $12.40 | $24.79 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.08
Garden State Parkway
(18 mi)
$1.08
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
$9
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.7 | 0 | $5.86 | $2.68 |
| Efficient EV | 14 | 0 | $4.88 | $2.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.3 | 0 | $7.81 | $3.57 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Destination
Lakewood, NJ
Morning in Lakewood on Monday
Local time
10:27 AM
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
2 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 23m 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 Madison, NJ to Lakewood, NJ covers 55.8 miles and takes about 1h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US Highway 9, Garden State Parkway, Garden State Parkway Southbound. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 27.9 miles from Madison, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.23 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 14 significant decision points across 55.8 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: at 3 miles (NJ 124): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Madison, NJ and Lakewood, NJ, road signs point toward New York City, Newark and Gsp South.
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