Origin
Middletown, NJ
Morning in Middletown on Saturday
Local time
7:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Middletown, NJ to Lebanon, NJ
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 4m
Distance
49.1 mi
79 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 59m
★
6 AM
1h 5m
8 AM
1h 15m
10 AM
1h 8m
12 PM
1h 7m
3 PM
1h 9m
5 PM
1h 14m
8 PM
1h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Middletown, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Lebanon, NJ
Nemika F
Trip Overview
The drive from Middletown, NJ to Lebanon, NJ covers 49.1 miles and takes about 1h 4m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 287, NJ 35, Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 20.3 miles on I 287. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.14 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 4m. Total distance: 49.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 4m highway drive covering 49.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 287 and NJ 35. The longest continuous stretch is about 20.3 miles on I 287.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 20.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 287 and NJ 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 49.1 miles you will encounter 12 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 14.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
14.7 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the exit toward NJ 440: Raritan Center, Perth Amboy, Staten Island
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward NJ 440: Raritan Center, Perth Amboy, Sta...
8
14.9 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 440 South: Raritan Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 440 South: Raritan Center
7
15 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 440 South: Raritan Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward NJ 440 South: Raritan Center
8
37.8 mi into trip
|
~50m in
Take the exit toward I 78 West: Easton, Pennsylvania
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 21B
Toward I 78 West: Easton, Pennsylvania
8
48.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
Take the exit toward Lebanon, Round Valley, Recreation Area
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 20A
Toward Lebanon, Round Valley, Recreation Area
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 Lebanon, NJ, road signs point toward Perth Amboy, Staten Island and Pennsylvania.
Perth Amboy
14.7 mi in
|
~22m
Staten Island
14.7 mi in
|
~22m
Pennsylvania
37.8 mi in
|
~50m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 287 | 20.3 mi | 23m |
| NJ 35 | 14.2 mi | 21m |
| Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway | 9.2 mi | 10m |
| NJ 440 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Cokesbury Road | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| New Monmouth Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Kings Highway | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 287
— 20.3 mi, about 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Middletown, NJ and Lebanon, 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
14 mi
·
21 min
·
NJ 35
Use the right lane.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward NJ 440: Raritan Center, Perth Amboy, Staten Island
Use the slight right lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork
420 ft
·
10 sec
Toward NJ 440 South: Raritan Center
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Toward NJ 440 South: Raritan Center
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward NJ 440
8
Merge onto NJ 440
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
NJ 440
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 287
18 mi
·
20 min
·
I 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 287
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
I 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
1.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 21B
Toward I 78 West: Easton, Pennsylvania
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Merge onto I 78
9.2 mi
·
10 min
·
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 20A
Toward Lebanon, Round Valley, Recreation Area
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto CR 639
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Cokesbury Road
15
Turn right onto Main Street
163 ft
·
4 sec
·
Main Street
16
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.5 mi from Middletown, NJ · 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 24.5 miles from Middletown, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lebanon, NJ
The final approach into Lebanon, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.14 one way
$16.28 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $8.92 | $17.83 |
| premium | $4.93 | $9.52 | $19.04 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.84 | $21.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.7 | 0 | $5.16 | $2.36 |
| Efficient EV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.30 | $1.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.6 | 0 | $6.87 | $3.14 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Destination
Lebanon, NJ
Morning in Lebanon on Saturday
Local time
7:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
2 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
1h 4m 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 Lebanon, NJ covers 49.1 miles and takes about 1h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 287, NJ 35, Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 24.5 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 $8.14 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 49.1 miles you will encounter 12 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 14.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Middletown, NJ and Lebanon, NJ, road signs point toward Perth Amboy, Staten Island and Pennsylvania.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Morristown National Historical Park, Gateway National Recreation Area and Thomas Edison National Historical Park. 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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