Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 16m
Distance
49.4 mi
80 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Maplewood, NJ
Thomas Parker
Trenton, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
This 49.4-mile drive from Maplewood, NJ, to Trenton, NJ, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 16 minutes. Primarily utilizing US 1 and the Trenton Freeway, with a segment on the Garden State Parkway, this route focuses heavily on highway travel. With 85% of the drive on highways, expect a direct and efficient journey. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $8, making it an economical option. Given its short duration and straightforward path within the Northeast region, this trip is ideal for a quick excursion without the need for an overnight stay.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 16m. Total distance: 49.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 85% of the 49.4 miles spent on faster-paced roads. You'll encounter stretches on US 1, the Garden State Parkway, and the Trenton Freeway, all contributing to a direct and efficient travel experience. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll navigate is 27.4 miles on US 1. While primarily highway, the character of the roads will shift between the open feel of parkways and the more urban corridors of US 1 and the freeway as you approach Trenton.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 1 and Garden State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near Tuscan Road.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 49.4 miles you will encounter 24 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 1.1 miles (Tuscan Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 15 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn left onto Tuscan Road
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Take the exit toward US 1: Newark, Trenton
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 US 1 South: Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Olden Avenue, New York Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Maplewood, NJ to Trenton, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Gsp Toll South: Garden State Parkway South along the way.
Gsp Toll South: Garden State Parkway South
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 1 | 27.4 mi | 39m |
| Garden State Parkway | 10.6 mi | 14m |
| Trenton Freeway | 3 mi | 4m |
| North Olden Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Garden State Parkway Southbound | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Oakview Avenue | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Brunswick Pike | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Boyden Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Maplewood, NJ and Trenton, NJ.
Start on Dunnell Road
Turn left onto Oakview Avenue
Turn right onto Oakland Road
At end of road, turn left onto Tuscan Road
Turn right onto Vermont Street
Turn left onto NJ 124
Turn sharp right onto Boyden Avenue
Continue on CR 619
Turn slight right onto Mill Road
Turn right onto North Union Avenue
Keep slight right at fork onto North Union Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto GSP
Continue on Garden State Parkway
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 1
Continue on US 1
Continue on US 1
Continue on US 1
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
Continue on US 1
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto US 1
Continue on US 1
Take the exit
At end of road, turn left onto New York Avenue
Turn left onto CR 622
Turn right onto CR 606
Turn right onto CR 626
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.7 mi from Maplewood, NJ · 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 24.7 miles from Maplewood, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Trenton, 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.
Regular Gas
$8.19 one way
$16.38 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $8.97 | $17.94 |
| premium | $4.93 | $9.58 | $19.16 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.91 | $21.81 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.72
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Tolls
$1
Total
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.8 | 0 | $5.19 | $2.37 |
| Efficient EV | 12.4 | 0 | $4.32 | $1.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.8 | 0 | $6.92 | $3.16 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 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
Afternoon in Maplewood on Thursday
Local time
3:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Partly Sunny
Destination
Afternoon in Trenton on Thursday
Local time
3:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
63°F
Edison, NJ
25 mi in
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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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