Origin
Midland Park, NJ
Night in Midland Park on Sunday
Local time
9:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Midland Park, NJ to Lakewood, NJ
Drive Time
1h 38m
Distance
66.9 mi
108 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 31m
★
6 AM
1h 39m
8 AM
1h 53m
10 AM
1h 44m
12 PM
1h 42m
3 PM
1h 44m
5 PM
1h 53m
8 PM
1h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lakewood, NJ
James Kampeis
Trip Overview
Traveling from Midland Park to Lakewood covers a straightforward 66.9-mile journey across New Jersey. You can expect to spend about 1 hour and 38 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With 88% of the route consisting of highway driving, the trip is highly efficient for those looking to reach their destination quickly. You should budget approximately $11 for fuel to cover the distance. Because both points are located within the Northeast region, the transition is seamless and familiar for locals. It is an ideal route if you prioritize speed and simplicity over a leisurely, multi-day excursion.
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
33.5 miles from Midland Park, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is defined by its efficiency, relying heavily on the Garden State Parkway Southbound to move you through the state. You will spend the vast majority of your time on high-speed roads, punctuated by a 25.9-mile stretch on US Highway 9 that serves as the longest uninterrupted segment of the trip. While the route is largely a highway-focused grind, the transition between these major arteries keeps the experience moving at a steady pace. Expect a consistent, functional driving environment that prioritizes direct travel over winding backroads. Your time behind the wheel will feel focused and purposeful as you navigate these primary transit corridors.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US Highway 9 is the longest continuous segment at about 25.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 9 and Garden State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.3 miles in near Memorial Drive.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 66.9 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 5.3 miles (Memorial Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.4 miles (CR 509 / West Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.8 miles (NJ 19 / Ward Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
5.3 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
Memorial Drive
Turn right onto Memorial Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
5.4 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
CR 509 / West Broadway
Turn left onto CR 509 / West Broadway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
5.8 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
NJ 19 / Ward Street
Turn right onto NJ 19 / Ward Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
8 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward GSP South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward GSP South
8
39.7 mi into trip
|
~57m in
Take the exit toward US 9 South: Sayreville, Old Bridge
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 123
Toward US 9 South: Sayreville, Old Bridge
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Midland Park, NJ to Lakewood, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Gsp South along the way.
Gsp South
8 mi in
|
~13m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 9 | 25.9 mi | 38m |
| Garden State Parkway | 25 mi | 34m |
| Garden State Parkway Southbound | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| Goffle Road | 4 mi | 6m |
| NJ 19 | 2 mi | 2m |
| Madison Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| East Main Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 9
— 25.9 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Midland Park, NJ and Lakewood, NJ.
1
Start on this road
21 ft
·
8 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto CR 84
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Godwin Avenue
3
Turn right onto CR 84
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Goffle Road
Use the none lane.
4
Continue on CR 504
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Main Street
5
Continue on CR 504
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Holsman Street
6
Continue on CR 509
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Presidential Boulevard
7
Turn left onto CR 509
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Main Street
8
Turn right onto Memorial Drive
409 ft
·
14 sec
·
Memorial Drive
Use the right lane.
9
Turn left onto CR 509
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
West Broadway
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto CR 509
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
Main Street
11
Turn right onto NJ 19
397 ft
·
9 sec
·
Ward Street
Use the right lane.
12
Continue on NJ 19
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Oliver Street
13
Turn slight left onto NJ 19
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
NJ 19
Use the slight left lane.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward GSP South
Use the slight left lane.
15
Merge onto GSP
24 mi
·
33 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
16
Continue on Garden State Parkway
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Garden State Parkway Southbound
Use the none lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the none lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 123
Toward US 9 South: Sayreville, Old Bridge
Use the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto US 9
26 mi
·
38 min
·
US Highway 9
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on US 9
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Madison Avenue
Use the none lane.
22
Turn left onto 8th Street
46 ft
·
2 sec
·
8th Street
Use the left lane.
23
Arrive at destination
8th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 1-hour and 38-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns. Since there are no designated stops on this 66.9-mile route, ensure you are fueled up and ready before you head out to avoid unnecessary detours. Keep an eye on your navigation system as you transition between the Garden State Parkway and US Highway 9, as these junctions can be busy depending on the time of day. Because the drive is short, you do not need to worry about overnight logistics, allowing you to easily complete the trip in a single afternoon. If you are traveling during peak commuting hours, try to time your departure to avoid the heaviest congestion on these major New Jersey arteries.
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 33.5 miles from Midland Park, NJ, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.9 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 66.9 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33.5 miles or 49m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakewood, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Midland Park, 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 Midland Park, NJ
This is one driving day of about 66.9 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Midland Park, 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 US Highway 9 for about 25.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 33.5 mi from Midland Park, NJ · 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
33 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 66.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 33.5 miles from Midland Park, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lakewood, NJ
The final approach into Lakewood, 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 Lakewood, NJ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.07 one way
$22.14 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $12.11 | $24.23 |
| premium | $4.92 | $12.96 | $25.93 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $14.86 | $29.73 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.87
Garden State Parkway
(31.2 mi)
$1.87
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
$11
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.1 | 0 | $7.02 | $3.21 |
| Efficient EV | 16.7 | 0 | $5.85 | $2.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26.8 | 0 | $9.37 | $4.28 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Lakewood, NJ
Night in Lakewood on Sunday
Local time
9:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°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
4 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 38m 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 Midland Park, NJ to Lakewood, NJ covers 66.9 miles and takes about 1h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US Highway 9, Garden State Parkway, Garden State Parkway Southbound. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 33.5 miles from Midland Park, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.07 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 15 significant decision points across 66.9 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 5.3 miles (Memorial Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.4 miles (CR 509 / West Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.8 miles (NJ 19 / Ward Street): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Midland Park, NJ to Lakewood, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Gsp South along the way.
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