This short 15.7-mile drive from Morristown, NJ to New Brunswick, NJ takes approximately 28 minutes and is easily manageable as a single-day trip. The route utilizes a mix of State Route 18 and local roads like Old Bridge-Matawan Road and Cottrell Road, with about half the journey on highways. With a projected fuel cost of around $3, this is a very budget-friendly excursion. The drive offers a mixed driving experience, making it suitable for a quick commute or a brief exploration between these two Northeast New Jersey locations. You won't need an overnight stay for this particular journey.
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
7.9 miles from Morristown, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 15m into the drive
.
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 51% of it involving highway travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 6.6 miles on State Route 18, offering a chance to maintain a steady pace. As you transition between State Route 18 and roads like Old Bridge-Matawan Road and Cottrell Road, the driving environment will shift. This blend means you'll experience both faster-paced highway sections and potentially more varied conditions on the local roads, keeping the driving experience engaging without being overly demanding.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State Route 18 is the longest continuous segment at about 6.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Balmoral Avenue.
Route Complexity5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 15.7 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.1 miles (Balmoral Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (CR 687 / Cottrell Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.8 miles (CR 516 / Old Bridge-Matawan Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Balmoral Avenue
Turn left onto Balmoral Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
2.2 mi into trip|~4m in|CR 687 / Cottrell Road
Turn left onto CR 687 / Cottrell Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
3.8 mi into trip|~8m in|CR 516 / Old Bridge-Matawan Road
Turn right onto CR 516 / Old Bridge-Matawan Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
14.1 mi into trip|~24m in|CR 527
Take the exit onto CR 527 toward NJ 172: New Brunswick, Cook/Douglass Campus, Paul Robeson Boulevard, New Street, Highland Park
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.
Toward NJ 172: New Brunswick, Cook/Douglass Cam...
6
14.6 mi into trip|~25m in|Paul Robeson Boulevard
Turn left onto Paul Robeson Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Morristown, NJ and New Brunswick, NJ, road signs point toward Cook/Douglass Campus and Highland Park.
Cook/Douglass Campus
14.1 mi in|~24m|via CR 527
Highland Park
14.1 mi in|~24m|via CR 527
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
State Route 18
6.6 mi
9m
Old Bridge-Matawan Road
3.3 mi
6m
Cottrell Road
1.6 mi
3m
Morristown Road
1.1 mi
2m
NJ 34
0.8 mi
1m
Suydam Street
0.4 mi
1m
Route 18 Service Road
0.4 mi
<1m
Paul Robeson Boulevard
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
State Route 18
— 6.6 mi, about 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Morristown, NJ and New Brunswick, NJ.
1
Start on Hallandale Drive
315 ft·19 sec·Hallandale Drive
2
Turn left onto Balmoral Avenue
0.2 mi·1 min·Balmoral Avenue
3
At end of road, turn left onto CR 689
1.1 mi·2 min·Morristown Road
4
At end of road, turn right onto NJ 34
0.8 mi·1 min·NJ 34
5
Turn left onto CR 687
1.6 mi·3 min·Cottrell Road
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto CR 516
3.3 mi·6 min·Old Bridge-Matawan Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on CR 516
373 ft·9 sec·Old Bridge-Englishtown Road
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·34 sec
9
Merge onto NJ 18; CR 527
6.6 mi·9 min·State Route 18
10
Take the exit onto CR 527
0.2 mi·16 sec·CR 527
Toward NJ 172: New Brunswick, Cook/Douglass Campus, Paul Robeson Boulevard, New Street, Highland ParkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn straight onto Route 18 Service Road
0.4 mi·47 sec·Route 18 Service Road
Toward NJ 18 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto Paul Robeson Boulevard
0.4 mi·1 min·Paul Robeson Boulevard
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto Suydam Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Suydam Street
14
Turn left onto CR 691
0.3 mi·36 sec·Livingston Avenue
15
Turn right onto Delavan Street
68 ft·3 sec·Delavan Street
16
Arrive at destination
Delavan Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 28-minute duration and 15.7-mile distance, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can easily depart at any time of day, though avoiding peak rush hour traffic on State Route 18 is always a good idea. With a fuel cost estimated at just $3, gas expenses are minimal. Because the drive is so brief, there are no mandatory stops needed, but you can easily pull over if you need a break or want to grab a quick bite. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition from State Route 18 onto Old Bridge-Matawan Road and Cottrell Road to ensure you stay on course.
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 7.9 miles from Morristown, NJ, or about 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 6.6 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 15.7 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 7.9 miles or 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Brunswick, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Morristown, 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 Morristown, NJ
This is one driving day of about 15.7 miles and 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Morristown, 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 State Route 18 for about 6.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 7.9 mi from Morristown, NJ
· 15m into the drive
The midpoint is around 7.9 miles from Morristown, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in New Brunswick, NJ
The final approach into New Brunswick, 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 New Brunswick, NJ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
Park Closure: Dead Horse Bay (Brooklyn) Remains Closed to the Public
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...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 14.7
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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
$10
near mile 13.6
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging
· 0 stops
· 60% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
4.7
0
$1.65
$0.75
Efficient EV
3.9
0
$1.37
$0.63
EV Truck/SUV
6.3
0
$2.20
$1.00
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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 data refreshed 38 minutes ago
Origin
Morristown, NJ
Evening
in Morristown on Tuesday
Local time
8:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New Brunswick, NJ
Evening
in New Brunswick on Tuesday
Local time
8:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SW 5 to 10 mph26% chanceLive 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
7 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
28m 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 Morristown, NJ to New Brunswick, NJ covers 15.7 miles and takes about 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Route 18, Old Bridge-Matawan Road, Cottrell Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 7.9 miles from Morristown, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.60 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 15.7 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.1 miles (Balmoral Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (CR 687 / Cottrell Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.8 miles (CR 516 / Old Bridge-Matawan Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Between Morristown, NJ and New Brunswick, NJ, road signs point toward Cook/Douglass Campus and Highland Park.
