Origin
Matawan, NJ
Night in Matawan on Sunday
Local time
10:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Matawan, NJ to Newark, NJ
Drive Time
43m
Distance
27.6 mi
44 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 39m
★
6 AM
0h 43m
8 AM
0h 50m
10 AM
0h 46m
12 PM
0h 45m
3 PM
0h 46m
5 PM
0h 50m
8 PM
0h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Matawan, NJ
Garrison Gao
Trip Overview
The drive from Matawan, NJ to Newark, NJ covers 27.6 miles and takes about 43m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, NJ 21 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 9.5 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $4.57 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
13.8 miles from Matawan, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 21m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 43m highway drive covering 27.6 miles, with most of the trip on New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 9.5 miles on New Jersey Turnpike.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
New Jersey Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 9.5 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
148 ft
9 ft
Total Climb
391 ft
Total Descent
412 ft
Highest Point
148 ft
~10.3 mi in
Elevation Range
140 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.3 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 27.6 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 10.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
10.3 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Trenton
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 129
Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Trenton
6
11.4 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
8
21.5 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Take the exit toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport
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 13A
Toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport
6
22.8 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
24.9 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
NJ 21
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21 toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
Towns Along This Route
Between Matawan, NJ and Newark, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New York City, Trenton, Njtp North: New York City, Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport and Downtown.
Njtp: New York City
10.3 mi in
|
~15m
Trenton
10.3 mi in
|
~15m
Njtp North: New York City
11.3 mi in
|
~18m
Newark Airport
21.5 mi in
|
~31m
Elizabeth Seaport
21.5 mi in
|
~31m
Downtown
24.9 mi in
|
~36m
|
via NJ 21
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike | 9.5 mi | 11m |
| Garden State Parkway | 7.9 mi | 10m |
| NJ 21 | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| US 1 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Ravine Drive | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| NJ 81 | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Mulberry Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Matawan Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 9.5 mi, about 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Matawan, NJ and Newark, NJ.
1
Start on Little Street
238 ft
·
15 sec
·
Little Street
2
Turn left onto Jackson Street
139 ft
·
9 sec
·
Jackson Street
3
Turn right onto CR 6A
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Ravine Drive
4
Turn left onto Morristown Road
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Morristown Road
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on CR 626
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Matawan Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
7
Merge onto GSP
7.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Garden State Parkway
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 129
Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Trenton
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
10
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
11
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
this road
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
13
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
9.5 mi
·
11 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 13A
Toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport
Use the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto NJ 81
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
NJ 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on US 1; US 9
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
US 1; US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
NJ 21
Toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
229 ft
·
7 sec
·
Chestnut Street
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto Mulberry Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Mulberry Street
21
Turn left onto CR 510
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Market Street
Use the left lane.
22
Arrive at destination
CR 510
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 13.8 miles from Matawan, NJ, or about 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 9.5 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 27.6 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13.8 miles or 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newark, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Matawan, 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 Matawan, NJ
This is one driving day of about 27.6 miles and 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Matawan, 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 New Jersey Turnpike for about 9.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13.8 mi from Matawan, NJ · 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
14 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 27.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 13.8 miles from Matawan, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Newark, NJ
The final approach into Newark, 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 Newark, 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
$4.57 one way
$9.13 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $5.00 | $9.99 |
| premium | $4.92 | $5.35 | $10.70 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.13 | $12.26 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.80
New Jersey Turnpike
(9.5 mi)
$1.33
Garden State Parkway
(7.9 mi)
$0.47
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
$5
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.3 | 0 | $2.90 | $1.32 |
| Efficient EV | 6.9 | 0 | $2.42 | $1.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11 | 0 | $3.86 | $1.77 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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
Newark, NJ
Night in Newark on Sunday
Local time
10:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°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
4 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
43m 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 Matawan, NJ to Newark, NJ covers 27.6 miles and takes about 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, NJ 21. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13.8 miles from Matawan, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.57 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 27.6 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 10.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Matawan, NJ and Newark, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New York City, Trenton, Njtp North: New York City, Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport and Downtown.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 9 ft to 148 ft elevation with about 391 ft of total climbing.
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