Origin
Montclair, NJ
Night in Montclair on Friday
Local time
11:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Montclair, NJ to Edison, NJ
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
46m
Distance
30.4 mi
49 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 43m
★
6 AM
0h 47m
8 AM
0h 54m
10 AM
0h 49m
12 PM
0h 49m
3 PM
0h 50m
5 PM
0h 54m
8 PM
0h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Montclair, NJ
James Kampeis
Edison, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Montclair to Edison is a straightforward 30.4-mile journey that typically takes about 46 minutes. Because this is a short trip within the Northeast, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $5 on fuel for this commute. The route primarily relies on the Garden State Parkway and US 1, making it a highly practical drive for those looking to traverse New Jersey efficiently. Since there are no required stops, you have the flexibility to head straight to your destination. It is a no-nonsense trip that serves as a reliable connection between these two points.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 46m. Total distance: 30.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
46m 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
Expect a highway-focused drive, as 87% of your time will be spent cruising on major roads. You will find yourself on the Garden State Parkway for a 20-mile stretch, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the trip. The transition from local streets like Watchung Avenue onto these high-speed arteries defines the character of the route. While the drive is functional rather than scenic, the shift from suburban roads to the heavier traffic patterns of US 1 keeps the experience dynamic. You will primarily experience the steady pace of New Jersey’s arterial highway system throughout the 46-minute duration.
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.
Garden State Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 20 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
296 ft
47 ft
Total Climb
150 ft
Total Descent
354 ft
Highest Point
296 ft
Elevation Range
249 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and US 1. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near CR 655 / Watchung Avenue.
Driving Effort
7/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 30.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 46m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (CR 655 / Watchung Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CR 655 / Watchung Avenue
Turn right onto CR 655 / Watchung Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
2.1 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
23.4 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Take the exit toward US 1: Newark, 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 130B-A
Toward US 1: Newark, Trenton
9
23.6 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 1 South: Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 130B
Toward US 1 South: Trenton
5
29 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Montclair, NJ and Edison, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp Toll South and Trenton.
Gsp Toll South
1.9 mi in
|
~3m
Trenton
23.4 mi in
|
~34m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 20 mi | 28m |
| US 1 | 5.1 mi | 7m |
| Watchung Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Garden State Parkway Southbound | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Plainfield Avenue | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Park Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Fulton Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Reed Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 20 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Montclair, NJ and Edison, NJ.
1
Start on Park Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Park Street
2
Turn right onto CR 655
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Watchung Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward GSP Toll South
4
Merge onto GSP
20 mi
·
28 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on Garden State Parkway
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Garden State Parkway Southbound
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 130B-A
Toward US 1: Newark, Trenton
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 130B
Toward US 1 South: Trenton
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto US 1
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
US 1
9
Continue on US 1
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 1
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
US 1
11
Take the exit
208 ft
·
3 sec
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn straight onto Fulton Street
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Fulton Street
13
Turn right onto CR 529
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Plainfield Avenue
14
Turn left onto Central Avenue
345 ft
·
17 sec
·
Central Avenue
15
Turn right onto Reed Street
523 ft
·
28 sec
·
Reed Street
16
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.2 mi from Montclair, NJ · 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
15 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 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 15.2 miles from Montclair, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Edison, NJ
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Edison, NJ if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.04 one way
$10.08 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $5.52 | $11.04 |
| premium | $4.93 | $5.90 | $11.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.71 | $13.42 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.28
Garden State Parkway
(21.3 mi)
$1.28
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Tolls
$1
Total
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.1 | 0 | $3.19 | $1.46 |
| Efficient EV | 7.6 | 0 | $2.66 | $1.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.2 | 0 | $4.26 | $1.95 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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
Edison, NJ
Night in Edison on Friday
Local time
11:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Scattered Rain Showers
NW 10 mph
35% chance
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
12 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
46m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Montclair, NJ to Edison, NJ covers 30.4 miles and takes about 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, US 1, Watchung Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 15.2 miles from Montclair, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.04 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 short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 30.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 46m.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (CR 655 / Watchung Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Montclair, NJ and Edison, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp Toll South and Trenton.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 47 ft to 296 ft elevation with about 150 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Morristown 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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