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Trip from Menlo Park, NJ to Linwood, NJ

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 2m

Distance

101.2 mi

163 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
1h 54m ★
6 AM
2h 3m
8 AM
2h 21m
10 AM
2h 9m
12 PM
2h 7m
3 PM
2h 10m
5 PM
2h 20m
8 PM
1h 58m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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unincorporated community in Middlesex County, New Jersey, U.S

Menlo Park, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States

Linwood, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Menlo Park, NJ to Linwood, NJ covers 101.2 miles and takes about 2h 2m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Garden State Parkway, Tilton Road, Shore Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 95.5 miles on Garden State Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $16.78 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.

Midpoint

50.6 miles from Menlo Park, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 2m. Total distance: 101.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 2m highway drive covering 101.2 miles, with most of the trip on Garden State Parkway and Tilton Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 95.5 miles on Garden State Parkway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Garden State Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 95.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Tilton Road. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near NJ 27 / Lincoln Highway.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 101.2 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.2 miles (NJ 27 / Lincoln Highway): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (CR 657 / Middlesex-Essex Turnpike): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

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

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | NJ 27 / Lincoln Highway

At end of road, turn left onto NJ 27 / Lincoln Highway

Navigation decision point

6
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | CR 657 / Middlesex-Essex Turnpike

Turn left onto CR 657 / Middlesex-Essex Turnpike

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
0.7 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the ramp toward GSP Toll South

Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward GSP Toll South
6
7.3 mi into trip | ~10m in | GSP / Garden State Parkway

Keep slight right at fork onto GSP / Garden State Parkway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
96.4 mi into trip | ~1h 54m in

Take the exit toward CR 563: Northfield, Margate City

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 36 Toward CR 563: Northfield, Margate City

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Garden State Parkway 95.5 mi 1h 51m
Tilton Road 2.4 mi 4m
Shore Road 2.1 mi 3m
Middlesex-Essex Turnpike 0.2 mi <1m
Lincoln Highway 0.2 mi <1m
Philip Street 0.2 mi <1m
Wood Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Garden State Parkway — 95.5 mi, about 1h 51m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Menlo Park, NJ and Linwood, NJ.

1

Start on Philip Street

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Philip Street
2

At end of road, turn left onto NJ 27

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Lincoln Highway
3

Turn right onto CR 649

497 ft · 21 sec · Wood Avenue
4

Turn left onto CR 657

0.2 mi · 46 sec · Middlesex-Essex Turnpike
Use the left lane.
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward GSP Toll South Use the slight right lane.
6

Merge onto GSP

5.6 mi · 7 min · Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto GSP

0.7 mi · 49 sec · Garden State Parkway
8

Keep slight right at fork onto GSP

89 mi · 1 hr 43 min · Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Exit 36 Toward CR 563: Northfield, Margate City Use the slight right lane.
10

Turn straight onto CR 563

2.4 mi · 4 min · Tilton Road
Use the straight lane.
11

Turn right onto CR 585

2.1 mi · 3 min · Shore Road
12

Arrive at destination

CR 585

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 50.6 miles from Menlo Park, NJ, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.5 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 22 miles or 27m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 50.6 miles or 1h 1m 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 38m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Menlo Park, 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 Menlo Park, NJ

This is one driving day of about 101.2 miles and 2h 2m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Menlo Park, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 95.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 50.6 mi from Menlo Park, NJ · 1h 1m into the drive

township in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brick, NJ

51 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brick, NJ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 50.6 miles from Menlo Park, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Garden State Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 95.5 miles.

Arriving in Linwood, NJ

The final approach into Linwood, 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 Linwood, NJ.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Thomas Edison National Historical Park

Thomas Edison National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Today, the brick buildings on Main Street in West Orange, NJ seem quiet, betraying little evidence of the research, development, and innovation of their heyday. Visitors can step back in time to Thoma...

16 mi from route ~40 min detour $10
Park Closure: Glenmont Mansion and Grounds Closed
View on nps.gov
Morristown National Historical Park

Morristown National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Morristown National Historical Park commemorates the sites of General Washington and the Continental Army’s winter encampment from December 1779 to June 1780, where soldiers survived the coldest winte...

17 mi from route ~43 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Gateway National Recreation Area

Gateway National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...

18 mi from route ~45 min detour Free near mile 20.9
View on nps.gov
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Silk cloth and steam locomotives; textiles and continuous paper rolls; firearms and aircraft engines. What do these things have in common? All were manufactured in the same place - Paterson, NJ. In 17...

26 mi from route ~64 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.78 one way

$33.56 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 35 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $18.38 $36.75
premium $4.93 $19.63 $39.25
diesel $5.61 $22.34 $44.69

Estimated Tolls: $5.73

Garden State Parkway (95.5 mi) $5.73

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

$17

Tolls

$6

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 35.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 30.4 0 $10.63 $4.86
Efficient EV 25.3 0 $8.86 $4.05
EV Truck/SUV 40.5 0 $14.17 $6.48

Gas CO2

35 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (66% 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 as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Menlo Park, NJ

Afternoon in Menlo Park on Saturday

Local time

1:06 PM

EDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Linwood, NJ

Afternoon in Linwood on Saturday

Local time

1:06 PM

EDT

Current temp

49°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

2h 2m 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 Menlo Park, NJ to Linwood, NJ covers 101.2 miles and takes about 2h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Garden State Parkway, Tilton Road, Shore 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 50.6 miles from Menlo Park, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.78 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 101.2 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (NJ 27 / Lincoln Highway): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (CR 657 / Middlesex-Essex Turnpike): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Menlo Park, NJ to Linwood, NJ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Morristown National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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