Origin
Monmouth Beach, NJ
Late night in Monmouth Beach on Saturday
Local time
3:05 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Monmouth Beach, NJ to Trenton, NJ
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 9m
Distance
48.2 mi
78 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 4m
★
6 AM
1h 9m
8 AM
1h 20m
10 AM
1h 13m
12 PM
1h 12m
3 PM
1h 13m
5 PM
1h 19m
8 PM
1h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Monmouth Beach, NJ
David Kanigan
Trenton, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Monmouth Beach, NJ to Trenton, NJ covers 48.2 miles and takes about 1h 9m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Central Jersey Expressway, NJ 18, Monmouth Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 14.5 miles on Central Jersey Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.99 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 9m. Total distance: 48.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (47%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Monmouth Beach, NJ to Trenton, NJ covers 48.2 miles and takes about 1h 9m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Central Jersey Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 14.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 48.2 miles you will encounter 11 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 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 15.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
6.3 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Take the exit toward NJ 18: Point Pleasant, New Burnswick
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NJ 18: Point Pleasant, New Burnswick
5
6.9 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick
7
15.6 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the exit toward CR 537 West: Freehold
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 22B
Toward CR 537 West: Freehold
8
44.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward US 206: South Broad Street, Arena Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 2
Toward US 206: South Broad Street, Arena Drive
7
44.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Arena Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 2
Toward Arena Drive
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Monmouth Beach, NJ and Trenton, NJ, road signs point toward New Burnswick and Cr 537 West: Freehold.
New Burnswick
6.3 mi in
|
~11m
Cr 537 West: Freehold
15.6 mi in
|
~22m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Central Jersey Expressway | 14.5 mi | 16m |
| NJ 18 | 8.2 mi | 8m |
| Monmouth Road | 7.8 mi | 11m |
| Colts Neck Road | 5.6 mi | 9m |
| Joline Avenue | 5.1 mi | 8m |
| Arena Drive | 2 mi | 3m |
| South Olden Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Riverdale Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Central Jersey Expressway
— 14.5 mi, about 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monmouth Beach, NJ and Trenton, NJ.
1
Start on Riverdale Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Riverdale Avenue
2
Turn straight onto NJ 36
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Ocean Boulevard North
3
Turn right onto NJ 36
5.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Joline Avenue
4
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward NJ 18: Point Pleasant, New Burnswick
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick
6
Merge onto NJ 18
8.2 mi
·
8 min
·
NJ 18
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 22B
Toward CR 537 West: Freehold
Use the right lane.
8
Turn straight onto CR 537
5.6 mi
·
9 min
·
Colts Neck Road
9
Continue on CR 537
7.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Monmouth Road
10
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 195 West
11
Merge onto I 195
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Central Jersey Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 2
Toward US 206: South Broad Street, Arena Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 2
Toward Arena Drive
14
Turn straight onto CR 620
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Arena Drive
15
Turn left onto CR 622
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Olden Avenue
16
Turn left onto CR 606
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Hamilton Avenue
17
Turn right onto CR 626
6 ft
·
0 sec
·
Chambers Street
18
Arrive at destination
CR 626
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.1 mi from Monmouth Beach, NJ · 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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 24.1 miles from Monmouth Beach, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Trenton, NJ
The final approach into Trenton, 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
$7.99 one way
$15.98 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $8.75 | $17.50 |
| premium | $4.93 | $9.35 | $18.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.64 | $21.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.9 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 | 14.5 | 0 | $5.06 | $2.31 |
| Efficient EV | 12.1 | 0 | $4.22 | $1.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.3 | 0 | $6.75 | $3.08 |
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
Trenton, NJ
Late night in Trenton on Saturday
Local time
3:05 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
45°F
Manalapan, NJ
24 mi in
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
9 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 9m 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 Monmouth Beach, NJ to Trenton, NJ covers 48.2 miles and takes about 1h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Central Jersey Expressway, NJ 18, Monmouth Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 24.1 miles from Monmouth Beach, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.99 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 48.2 miles you will encounter 11 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 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 15.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Monmouth Beach, NJ and Trenton, NJ, road signs point toward New Burnswick and Cr 537 West: Freehold.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Gateway National Recreation Area.
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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