The drive from Middletown, NJ to Kearny, NJ covers 38.7 miles and takes about 58m 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 35 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 14 miles on New Jersey Turnpike.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $6.42 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
19.3 miles from Middletown, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 28m into the drive
.
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 58m highway drive covering 38.7 miles, with most of the trip on New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 14 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 14 miles.
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 5.7 miles in.
Route Complexity10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 38.7 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 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 17 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 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
8
17 mi into trip|~24m 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
8
35.5 mi into trip|~49m in
Take the exit toward I 280: Newark, Kearny
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 15W
Toward I 280: Newark, Kearny
7
36.4 mi into trip|~52m in
Take the exit toward CR 508 West: Kearny
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 17B
Toward CR 508 West: Kearny
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 Kearny, NJ, road signs point toward Local, All Exits, Njtp: New York City, Trenton, Njtp North: New York City and Cr 508 West: Kearny.
Local
6.2 mi in|~10m
All Exits
6.2 mi in|~10m
Njtp: New York City
17 mi in|~24m
Trenton
17 mi in|~24m
Njtp North: New York City
18 mi in|~26m
Cr 508 West: Kearny
36.4 mi in|~52m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
14 mi
17m
Garden State Parkway
10.6 mi
13m
NJ 35
5.2 mi
8m
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
2.8 mi
3m
Bergen Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
Schuyler Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Oakwood Avenue
0.4 mi
1m
New Monmouth Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 14 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Middletown, NJ and Kearny, 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 StreetUse the straight / right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·13 sec
Toward Local, All ExitsUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto GSP
11 mi·13 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Exit 129Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, TrentonUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
9
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·1 min·this road
10
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·16 sec·this road
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
12
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
14 mi·17 min·New Jersey Turnpike
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; NJTP
2.8 mi·3 min·New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 15WToward I 280: Newark, KearnyUse the slight right lane.
15
Continue on I 280
0.3 mi·40 sec·Essex Freeway
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Exit 17BToward CR 508 West: KearnyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto CR 508
0.2 mi·27 sec·Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
18
Turn right onto Bergen Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Bergen Avenue
Use the right lane.
19
Turn right onto CR 507
0.6 mi·1 min·Schuyler Avenue
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto Oakwood Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Oakwood Avenue
21
Turn right onto Beech Street
124 ft·5 sec·Beech Street
22
Arrive at destination
Beech 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 19.3 miles from Middletown, NJ, or about 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14 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 38.7 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 19.3 miles or 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kearny, 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.
+
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 Middletown, NJ
This is one driving day of about 38.7 miles and 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Middletown, 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 14 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 19.3 mi from Middletown, NJ
· 28m into the drive
The midpoint is around 19.3 miles from Middletown, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Kearny, NJ
The final approach into Kearny, 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 Kearny, 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
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...
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 38.7
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...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 29.3
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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 26.7
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging
· 0 stops
· 64% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
11.6
0
$4.06
$1.86
Efficient EV
9.7
0
$3.39
$1.55
EV Truck/SUV
15.5
0
$5.42
$2.48
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 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 4 days ago
Origin
Middletown, NJ
Evening
in Middletown on Tuesday
Local time
7:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kearny, NJ
Evening
in Kearny on Tuesday
Local time
7:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°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
3 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
58m 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 Kearny, NJ covers 38.7 miles and takes about 58m 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 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 19.3 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 $6.42 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 38.7 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 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 17 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Middletown, NJ and Kearny, NJ, road signs point toward Local, All Exits, Njtp: New York City, Trenton, Njtp North: New York City and Cr 508 West: Kearny.
