The drive from Middletown, NJ to Penns Grove, NJ covers 98.8 miles and takes about 2h 11m 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, I 295, Newman Springs Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 38.8 miles on New Jersey Turnpike.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $16.38 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
49.4 miles from Middletown, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 11m. Total distance: 98.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 11m highway drive covering 98.8 miles, with most of the trip on New Jersey Turnpike and I 295. The longest continuous stretch is about 38.8 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 28 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 38.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and I 295. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.1 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 98.8 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 23.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
23.1 mi into trip|~39m in
Take the ramp toward I 95, NJTP: New Jersey Turnpike
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95, NJTP: New Jersey Turnpike
6
23.5 mi into trip|~39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95, NJTP South: Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95, NJTP South: Trenton
6
23.6 mi into trip|~40m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
63.3 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 73 North: Camden
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 73 North: Camden
8
96.8 mi into trip|~2h 7m in
Take the exit toward NJ 48: Woodstown, Penns Grove
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 4
Toward NJ 48: Woodstown, Penns Grove
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 Penns Grove, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp South: Trenton, Njtp South: Camden, Wilmington and Camden.
Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike
23.1 mi in|~39m
Njtp South: Trenton
23.5 mi in|~39m
Njtp South: Camden
46 mi in|~1h 6m|via NJTP
Wilmington
46 mi in|~1h 6m|via NJTP
Camden
62.8 mi in|~1h 25m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
38.8 mi
44m
I 295
32.5 mi
38m
Newman Springs Road
8.7 mi
13m
Texas Road
3 mi
4m
Forsgate Drive
2.4 mi
3m
Matchaponix Avenue
1.9 mi
2m
Pergola Avenue
1.6 mi
2m
Harding Highway
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 38.8 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Middletown, NJ and Penns Grove, NJ.
1
Start on CR 50
0.3 mi·48 sec·Kings Highway
2
Turn left onto Red Hill Road
0.2 mi·31 sec·Red Hill Road
3
Turn right onto Holland Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Holland Road
4
Turn left onto CR 52
1.0 mi·1 min·Van Schoick Road
5
Continue on CR 52
0.8 mi·1 min·Red Hill Road
6
Continue on Middletown Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Middletown Road
7
Continue on Holmdel Middletown Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Holmdel Middletown Road
8
Turn right onto CR 520
8.7 mi·13 min·Newman Springs Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Turn left onto CR 520
3.0 mi·4 min·Texas Road
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn straight onto Matchaponix Avenue
1.9 mi·2 min·Matchaponix Avenue
11
Continue on CR 612
1.6 mi·2 min·Pergola Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn right onto CR 522; CR 612
313 ft·12 sec·Buckelew Avenue
13
Turn left onto CR 612
2.4 mi·3 min·Forsgate Drive
Use the left lane.
14
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward I 95, NJTP: New Jersey TurnpikeUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95, NJTP South: Trenton
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
22 mi·25 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP
17 mi·19 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Toward NJTP South: Camden, Wilmington
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·55 sec
Exit 4Toward NJ 73: Mount Laurel, Camden
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward NJ 73 North: CamdenUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto NJ 73
0.5 mi·42 sec·NJ 73
Use the slight right lane.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 295 South: Delaware Memorial Bridge
23
Merge onto I 295
23 mi·27 min·I 295
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
9.6 mi·11 min·I 295
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 4Toward NJ 48: Woodstown, Penns GroveUse the slight right lane.
26
Turn right onto NJ 48
1.4 mi·2 min·Harding Highway
27
Continue on CR 675
0.3 mi·46 sec·East Main Street
28
Arrive at destination
CR 675
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 49.4 miles from Middletown, NJ, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.8 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 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.4 miles or 1h 10m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Penns Grove, 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 98.8 miles and 2h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Middletown, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New Jersey Turnpike for about 38.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 49.4 mi from Middletown, NJ
· 1h 10m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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
Park Closure: Dead Horse Bay (Brooklyn) Remains Closed to the Public
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...
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...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 23.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.38 one way
$32.76 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$17.94
$35.88
premium
$4.93
$19.16
$38.32
diesel
$5.61
$21.81
$43.63
Estimated Tolls: $5.43
New Jersey Turnpike
(38.8 mi)$5.43
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
$16
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.6
0
$10.37
$4.74
Efficient EV
24.7
0
$8.65
$3.95
EV Truck/SUV
39.5
0
$13.83
$6.32
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
Middletown, NJ
Late night
in Middletown on Friday
Local time
1:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Penns Grove, NJ
Late night
in Penns Grove on Friday
Local time
1:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
47°F
Bristol, PA
49 mi in
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
2h 11m 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 Penns Grove, NJ covers 98.8 miles and takes about 2h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New Jersey Turnpike, I 295, Newman Springs 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 49.4 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 $16.38 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 20 significant decision points across 98.8 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 23.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Middletown, NJ and Penns Grove, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp South: Trenton, Njtp South: Camden, Wilmington and Camden.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Gateway National Recreation Area, Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Morristown National Historical Park.
