Origin
Middletown, NJ
Evening in Middletown on Thursday
Local time
5:57 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Middletown, NJ to Rutherford, NJ
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 4m
Distance
43.5 mi
70 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 0m
★
6 AM
1h 5m
8 AM
1h 15m
10 AM
1h 8m
12 PM
1h 7m
3 PM
1h 9m
5 PM
1h 15m
8 PM
1h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Middletown, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Rutherford, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Middletown, NJ to Rutherford, NJ covers 43.5 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 New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur 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 $7.21 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: 43.5 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 (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 4m highway drive covering 43.5 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 25 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.
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 43.5 miles you will encounter 18 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 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 18 key pointsThese 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
39.4 mi into trip
|
~55m in
Take the exit toward NJ 3: Secaucus, Rutherford
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 16W
Toward NJ 3: Secaucus, Rutherford
8
41.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 17 North: Rutherford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 17 North: Rutherford
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 Rutherford, NJ, road signs point toward Local, All Exits, Njtp: New York City, Trenton and Njtp North: New York City.
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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike | 14 mi | 17m |
| Garden State Parkway | 10.6 mi | 13m |
| New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur | 6.8 mi | 9m |
| NJ 35 | 5.2 mi | 8m |
| NJ 3 | 0.8 mi | <1m |
| NJ 17 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Meadow Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Park Avenue | 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 Rutherford, 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
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 129
Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Trenton
Use 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
6.8 mi
·
9 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
1.4 mi
·
5 min
Exit 16W
Toward NJ 3: Secaucus, Rutherford
Use the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto NJ 3
0.8 mi
·
54 sec
·
NJ 3
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: Rutherford
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: Rutherford
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto NJ 17
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
NJ 17
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Toward Rutherford
20
Turn right onto Highland Cross
213 ft
·
8 sec
·
Highland Cross
21
Continue on CR 32
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Meadow Road
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on CR 32
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
East Erie Avenue
Use the straight lane.
23
Enter roundabout onto CR 30
123 ft
·
2 sec
·
Park Avenue
24
Continue on CR 30
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
·
Park Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
CR 30
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21.8 mi from Middletown, NJ · 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 21.8 miles from Middletown, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Rutherford, NJ
The final approach into Rutherford, 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
$7.21 one way
$14.42 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $7.90 | $15.80 |
| premium | $4.93 | $8.44 | $16.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.60 | $19.21 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.55
New Jersey Turnpike
(20.8 mi)
$2.91
Garden State Parkway
(10.6 mi)
$0.64
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Tolls
$4
Total
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13 | 0 | $4.57 | $2.09 |
| Efficient EV | 10.9 | 0 | $3.81 | $1.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.4 | 0 | $6.09 | $2.78 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (67% 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
Rutherford, NJ
Evening in Rutherford on Thursday
Local time
5:57 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°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
23 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 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 Rutherford, NJ covers 43.5 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 New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 21.8 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 $7.21 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 43.5 miles you will encounter 18 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 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 Rutherford, NJ, road signs point toward Local, All Exits, Njtp: New York City, Trenton and Njtp North: New York City.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
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