Trip from Mendham, NJ to Edison, NJ

Drive Time

45m

Distance

31.1 mi

50 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$5

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 11 min
4 AM
0h 42m ★
6 AM
0h 46m
8 AM
0h 53m
10 AM
0h 48m
12 PM
0h 47m
3 PM
0h 49m
5 PM
0h 53m
8 PM
0h 43m

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

Downtown Mendham, NJ, NJ

Mendham, NJ

Dajana Blakcori

Downtown Edison, NJ, NJ

Edison, NJ

Garrison Gao

Trip Overview

If you are looking for a straightforward commute or a quick trip across New Jersey, the 31.1-mile journey from Mendham to Edison is a practical choice. You can expect to spend about 45 minutes on the road, making this an easy one-day excursion that requires no overnight stops. With a fuel budget of approximately $5, it is a very affordable route to navigate. The drive takes you through the heart of the Northeast, transitioning from the quieter atmosphere of Mendham into the more bustling environment of Edison. Because of its brevity, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to head out whenever it best suits your plans.

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

15.5 miles from Mendham, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 24m into the drive .

Drive Character

This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 65% of the trip spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating I-287, which includes a longest uninterrupted stretch of 20.2 miles. Beyond the interstate, the route incorporates Mount Airy Road and Stelton Road to bridge the gaps between your origin and destination. You should anticipate a transition from local roads into a faster, more consistent highway pace that defines most of the journey. The experience behind the wheel is functional and direct, prioritizing efficiency over winding, scenic detours.

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.
I 287 is the longest continuous segment at about 20.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 287 and Mount Airy Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.5 miles in near I 287.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 31.1 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 7.5 miles (I 287): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13 miles (I 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

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

5
7.5 mi into trip | ~15m in | I 287

Merge onto I 287

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
6
13 mi into trip | ~21m in | I 287

Keep slight left at fork onto I 287

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
8
27.8 mi into trip | ~38m in

Take the exit toward CR 529: Stelton Road, Edison, MVC Agency

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 5 Toward CR 529: Stelton Road, Edison, MVC Agency
8
28 mi into trip | ~38m in

Keep slight right at fork toward MVC Agency

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward MVC Agency
6
30.9 mi into trip | ~44m in | Central Avenue

Turn right onto Central Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Mendham, NJ to Edison, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Mvc Agency along the way.

Mvc Agency

27.8 mi in | ~38m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 287 20.2 mi 23m
Mount Airy Road 2.1 mi 4m
Stelton Road 2.1 mi 4m
Mendham Road 1.6 mi 2m
Hilltop Road 1.5 mi 2m
Anderson Hill Road 1 mi 2m
Bernardsville Road 0.9 mi 1m
Plainfield Avenue 0.8 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 287 — 20.2 mi, about 23m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mendham, NJ and Edison, NJ.

1

Start on CR 510

83 ft · 9 sec · Mendham Road
2

Turn left onto CR 525

1.5 mi · 2 min · Hilltop Road
3

Turn slight left onto CR 525

0.9 mi · 1 min · Bernardsville Road
4

Continue on CR 525

1.6 mi · 2 min · Mendham Road
5

Continue on Anderson Hill Road

1.0 mi · 2 min · Anderson Hill Road
6

Continue on CR 525

2.0 mi · 4 min · Mount Airy Road
7

Continue on CR 525

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Mount Airy Road
Use the left lane.
8

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward I 287 South: Somerville
9

Merge onto I 287

5.5 mi · 6 min · I 287
Use the none lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 287

15 mi · 16 min · I 287
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 5 Toward CR 529: Stelton Road, Edison, MVC Agency Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight right at fork

202 ft · 4 sec
Toward MVC Agency Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on CR 529

2.1 mi · 4 min · Stelton Road
Use the right lane.
14

Continue on CR 529

0.8 mi · 1 min · Plainfield Avenue
Use the none lane.
15

Turn right onto Central Avenue

345 ft · 17 sec · Central Avenue
Use the none lane.
16

Turn right onto Reed Street

523 ft · 28 sec · Reed Street
17

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a quick 45-minute drive, you have the advantage of being able to leave whenever you like without needing to plan for significant rest stops. However, keep in mind that the heavy reliance on I-287 means you should check for real-time traffic updates before departing to avoid potential congestion. Given the $5 fuel estimate, you won't need to worry about complex refueling logistics, but it is always wise to ensure your tank is ready before you start your engine in Mendham. Use the flexibility of this short distance to time your departure around peak traffic hours to ensure a smoother, more predictable arrival in Edison.

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 15.5 miles from Mendham, NJ, or about 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.2 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 31.1 miles or 45m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 15.5 miles or 24m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 36m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Edison, NJ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Mendham, 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 Mendham, NJ

This is one driving day of about 31.1 miles and 45m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Mendham, 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 I 287 for about 20.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 15.5 mi from Mendham, NJ · 24m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

16 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

Staten Island, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 15.5 miles from Mendham, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Edison, NJ

The final approach into Edison, 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 Edison, 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

$5.15 one way

$10.29 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 11 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $5.63 $11.26
premium $4.92 $6.03 $12.05
diesel $5.64 $6.91 $13.82

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$5

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$30–$55

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 10.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 9.3 0 $3.27 $1.49
Efficient EV 7.8 0 $2.72 $1.24
EV Truck/SUV 12.4 0 $4.35 $1.99

Gas CO2

11 kg

EV CO2

4 kg (64% 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

Mendham, NJ

Evening in Mendham on Sunday

Local time

8:22 PM

EDT

Current temp

80°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Edison, NJ

Evening in Edison on Sunday

Local time

8:22 PM

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

21 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

45m 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 Mendham, NJ to Edison, NJ covers 31.1 miles and takes about 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 287, Mount Airy Road, Stelton 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 15.5 miles from Mendham, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.15 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 9 significant decision points across 31.1 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 7.5 miles (I 287): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13 miles (I 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Mendham, NJ to Edison, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Mvc Agency along the way.

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Return Trip

Edison, NJ to Mendham, NJ

Plan the drive back the other way.

31.6 mi 46m

Explore more options from Mendham, NJ or browse trips ending in Edison, NJ.

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