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Trip from Middletown, NJ to Franklin, NJ

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 41m

Distance

75.1 mi

121 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
1h 34m ★
6 AM
1h 41m
8 AM
1h 57m
10 AM
1h 47m
12 PM
1h 45m
3 PM
1h 47m
5 PM
1h 56m
8 PM
1h 37m

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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township in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States

Middletown, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Franklin, NJ, NJ

Franklin, NJ

Matt Weissinger

Trip Overview

The drive from Middletown, NJ to Franklin, NJ covers 75.1 miles and takes about 1h 41m 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, NJ 23, NJ 35 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 35.5 miles on Garden State Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.45 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

37.6 miles from Middletown, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 41m. Total distance: 75.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 1h 41m highway drive covering 75.1 miles, with most of the trip on Garden State Parkway and NJ 23. The longest continuous stretch is about 35.5 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 14 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 35.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and NJ 23. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 75.1 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 5.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.4 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.

6
5.7 mi into trip | ~9m in

Take the exit toward GSP: Clark Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward GSP: Clark Street
8
6.2 mi into trip | ~10m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Local, All Exits

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward Local, All Exits
5
6.4 mi into trip | ~10m in | GSP / Garden State Parkway

Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
41.9 mi into trip | ~59m in

Take the exit toward NJ 3 West: Wayne

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Exit 153B Toward NJ 3 West: Wayne
5
42.7 mi into trip | ~1h in | NJ 3 / State Route 3

Merge onto NJ 3 / State Route 3

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Middletown, NJ and Franklin, NJ, road signs point toward Local, All Exits and Butler.

Local

6.2 mi in | ~10m

All Exits

6.2 mi in | ~10m

Butler

47.2 mi in | ~1h 5m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Garden State Parkway 35.5 mi 48m
NJ 23 27.6 mi 34m
NJ 35 5.2 mi 8m
US 46 3.7 mi 4m
State Route 3 0.9 mi 1m
New Monmouth Road 0.3 mi <1m
Kings Highway 0.2 mi <1m
High Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Garden State Parkway — 35.5 mi, about 48m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Middletown, NJ and Franklin, NJ.

1

Start on CR 50

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Kings Highway
2

Turn left onto CR 50

0.3 mi · 32 sec · New Monmouth Road
3

Turn left onto NJ 35

5.2 mi · 8 min · NJ 35
Use the right lane.
4

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward GSP: Clark Street Use the straight / right lanes.
5

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 13 sec
Toward Local, All Exits Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
6

Merge onto GSP

36 mi · 48 min · Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 153B Toward NJ 3 West: Wayne Use the slight left lane.
8

Merge onto NJ 3

0.9 mi · 1 min · State Route 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto US 46

3.7 mi · 4 min · US 46
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward I 80 West, NJ 23 North: Delaware Water Gap, Butler
11

Merge onto NJ 23

4.6 mi · 5 min · NJ 23
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on NJ 23

23 mi · 29 min · NJ 23
Use the right lane.
13

Continue on High Street

218 ft · 9 sec · High Street
14

Arrive at destination

High Street

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 37.6 miles from Middletown, NJ, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.5 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 17 miles or 25m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 37.6 miles or 53m 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 26m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Middletown, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Middletown, NJ

This is one driving day of about 75.1 miles and 1h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Middletown, 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 35.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 37.6 mi from Middletown, NJ · 53m into the drive

most populous city in the United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

New York City, NY

38 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

New York City, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 37.6 miles from Middletown, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Franklin, NJ

The final approach into Franklin, 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.

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...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 near mile 36.3
Park Closure: Glenmont Mansion and Grounds Closed
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...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free near mile 44
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...

15 mi from route ~37 min detour Free near mile 28.5
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...

16 mi from route ~40 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

Situated within the most densely populated region of the United States, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides a unique opportunity to experience tranquil landscapes, rich human history,...

19 mi from route ~48 min detour $10 near mile 75.1
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.45 one way

$24.90 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 26 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $13.64 $27.27
premium $4.93 $14.56 $29.13
diesel $5.61 $16.58 $33.16

Estimated Tolls: $2.13

Garden State Parkway (35.5 mi) $2.13

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

$12

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 26.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 22.5 0 $7.89 $3.60
Efficient EV 18.8 0 $6.57 $3.00
EV Truck/SUV 30 0 $10.51 $4.81

Gas CO2

26 kg

EV CO2

9 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Middletown, NJ

Afternoon in Middletown on Thursday

Local time

2:49 PM

EDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Franklin, NJ

Afternoon in Franklin on Thursday

Local time

2:49 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°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

18 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

1h 41m 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 Middletown, NJ to Franklin, NJ covers 75.1 miles and takes about 1h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, NJ 23, NJ 35. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 37.6 miles from Middletown, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.45 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 75.1 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 5.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.4 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Middletown, NJ and Franklin, NJ, road signs point toward Local, All Exits and Butler.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Morristown National Historical Park. There are 5 parks within detour distance of this route.

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Return Trip

Franklin, NJ to Middletown, NJ

Plan the drive back the other way.

74.9 mi 1h 39m

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