Trip from Madison, NJ to West New York, NJ

Drive Time

41m

Distance

26.4 mi

42 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$4

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 11 min
4 AM
0h 38m ★
6 AM
0h 42m
8 AM
0h 49m
10 AM
0h 44m
12 PM
0h 44m
3 PM
0h 45m
5 PM
0h 48m
8 PM
0h 40m

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

Downtown Madison, NJ, NJ

Madison, NJ

Garrison Gao

Downtown West New York, NJ, NJ

West New York, NJ

Dajana Blakcori

Trip Overview

If you are planning a quick commute or day trip across the Northeast, this 26.4-mile journey from Madison to West New York is a straightforward option. Expect to spend about 41 minutes behind the wheel, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway, US 1, and Main Street to reach your destination. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $4, the trip is highly economical for solo travelers or small groups. Because both locations are situated within New Jersey, you will remain in the Northeast region throughout the entire duration of your travel.

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

13.2 miles from Madison, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 19m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive, as 74% of your route is spent on major thoroughfares. The journey features a consistent pace, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 8.7 miles along the Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway. While the majority of your time is spent on high-speed roads, the final leg transitions onto Main Street, shifting the driving experience from an open interstate feel to a more localized environment. This blend ensures you cover the distance efficiently while allowing for a gradual transition into the destination area. Be prepared for the contrast between the sustained momentum of the expressway and the necessary adjustments required when entering local streets.

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.
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 8.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway and US 1. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.8 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 26.4 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 5.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

8
5.8 mi into trip | ~10m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 78 East: Holland Tunnel, New York City, Newark

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the none lane. Toward I 78 East: Holland Tunnel, New York City...
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
15.1 mi into trip | ~22m in

Take the exit toward US 1-9 North: Frontage Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Exit 58B Toward US 1-9 North: Frontage Road
8
15.3 mi into trip | ~22m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 1-9 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward US 1-9 North
7
21.1 mi into trip | ~32m in | US 1; US 9

Take the exit onto US 1; US 9 toward US 1-9 North: Jersey City, Lincoln Tunnel

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward US 1-9 North: Jersey City, Lincoln Tunne...

Towns Along This Route

Between Madison, NJ and West New York, NJ, road signs point toward New York City and Newark.

New York City

5.8 mi in | ~10m

Newark

5.8 mi in | ~10m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway 8.7 mi 10m
US 1 8.3 mi 12m
Main Street 3 mi 7m
NJ 24 2.4 mi 2m
Tonnelle Avenue 1.2 mi 1m
51st Street 0.5 mi 1m
Bergenline Avenue 0.4 mi 1m
NJ 124 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway — 8.7 mi, about 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Madison, NJ and West New York, NJ.

1

Start on NJ 124

3.0 mi · 7 min · Main Street
Use the none lane.
2

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 124

0.2 mi · 24 sec · NJ 124
Use the none lane.
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
Use the none lane.
5

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 29 sec
Toward I 78 East: Holland Tunnel, New York City, Newark Use the none lane.
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

8.7 mi · 10 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Exit 58B Toward US 1-9 North: Frontage Road Use the straight / right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward US 1-9 North Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto US 1; US 9

5.5 mi · 8 min · US 1; US 9
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit onto US 1; US 9

2.8 mi · 3 min · US 1; US 9
Toward US 1-9 North: Jersey City, Lincoln Tunnel Use the slight right lane.
12

Continue on US 1; US 9

1.2 mi · 1 min · Tonnelle Avenue
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13

Turn right onto 51st Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · 51st Street
14

Turn sharp left onto CR 501

0.1 mi · 17 sec · John F. Kennedy Boulevard
15

Turn right onto 52nd Street

0.2 mi · 52 sec · 52nd Street
16

At end of road, turn left onto Bergenline Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · Bergenline Avenue
17

Turn right onto 60th Street

0.1 mi · 18 sec · 60th Street
18

Arrive at destination

60th Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a short trip with no mandatory stops, you have significant flexibility in your departure time to avoid peak congestion. Given the 41-minute duration, you can easily plan your arrival based on your personal schedule rather than worrying about mid-trip rest requirements. Keep in mind that the $4 fuel estimate is based on the 26.4-mile distance, so you should top off your tank before leaving Madison to ensure a stress-free arrival. Because you are navigating a mix of expressways and local roads, stay alert when transitioning off the Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway onto the local surface streets of West New York. Taking advantage of the route's brevity allows you to maximize your time at your destination rather than on the road.

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 13.2 miles from Madison, NJ, or about 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 8.7 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 26.4 miles or 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 13.2 miles or 19m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 33m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West New York, 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 26.4 miles and 41m.

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 Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway for about 8.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 13.2 mi from Madison, NJ · 19m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

13 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

New York City, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 26.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 13.2 miles from Madison, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in West New York, NJ

The final approach into West New York, 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 West New York, 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

$4.37 one way

$8.74 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 9 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $4.78 $9.56
premium $4.92 $5.12 $10.23
diesel $5.64 $5.87 $11.73

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$29–$54

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 9.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 7.9 0 $2.77 $1.27
Efficient EV 6.6 0 $2.31 $1.06
EV Truck/SUV 10.6 0 $3.70 $1.69

Gas CO2

9 kg

EV CO2

3 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Madison, NJ

Late night in Madison on Monday

Local time

12:09 AM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

West New York, NJ

Late night in West New York on Monday

Local time

12:09 AM

EDT

Current temp

59°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

1 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

41m 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 West New York, NJ covers 26.4 miles and takes about 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway, US 1, Main Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13.2 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 $4.37 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 16 significant decision points across 26.4 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 5.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Madison, NJ and West New York, NJ, road signs point toward New York City and Newark.

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Return Trip

West New York, NJ to Madison, NJ

Plan the drive back the other way.

26.2 mi 41m

Explore more options from Madison, NJ or browse trips ending in West New York, NJ.

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