Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 13m
Distance
53.6 mi
86 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mercerville, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Mercerville, NJ to Jersey City, NJ covers 53.6 miles and takes about 1h 13m 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, US 130, New Jersey Highway 33 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 37.8 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.89 one way before food or hotel costs.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 13m. Total distance: 53.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 1h 13m highway drive covering 53.6 miles, with most of the trip on New Jersey Turnpike and US 130. The longest continuous stretch is about 37.8 miles on New Jersey Turnpike.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and US 130. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 49.2 miles in near NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 53.6 miles you will encounter 14 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 49.2 miles (NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 1 North Truck, US 9 North Truck: Newark, Jersey City
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 Truck North, US 9 Truck North: Jersey City, Doremus Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward US 1 North Truck, US 9 North Truck: Jersey City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck toward US 1 Truck North, US 9 Truck North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike | 37.8 mi | 45m |
| US 130 | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| New Jersey Highway 33 | 3.8 mi | 6m |
| Mercer Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Lincoln Highway | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Franklin Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| US 1 Truck | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Mercerville, NJ and Jersey City, NJ.
Start on CR 535
Turn left onto CR 533
Turn left onto NJ 33
Turn left onto US 130; NJ 33
Continue on NJ 33
Turn right onto CR 539; CR 571
Turn left onto CR 539; CR 571
Turn slight right
Turn right onto NJ 33
Turn left onto I 95; NJTP
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
Take the exit onto US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
Turn right onto Duncan Avenue
Turn left onto Olean Avenue
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.8 mi from Mercerville, NJ · 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 26.8 miles from Mercerville, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Jersey City, 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
$8.89 one way
$17.77 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $9.73 | $19.46 |
| premium | $4.93 | $10.40 | $20.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.83 | $23.67 |
Estimated Tolls: $5.45
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Tolls
$5
Total
$14
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.1 | 0 | $5.63 | $2.57 |
| Efficient EV | 13.4 | 0 | $4.69 | $2.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.4 | 0 | $7.50 | $3.43 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% 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
Night in Mercerville on Thursday
Local time
9:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Night in Jersey City on Thursday
Local time
9:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
71°F
New Brunswick, NJ
27 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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