This 73.6-mile drive from Mount Laurel, NJ, to Newark, NJ, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 34 minutes. Given its relatively short duration and focus on major roadways, it's perfectly suited as a day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You'll be spending most of your time on the New Jersey Turnpike, making up 87% of the drive. Budget approximately $12 for fuel for this trip. Both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region, keeping the travel context consistent. This route offers a practical and efficient way to get from point A to point B within the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.8 miles from Mount Laurel, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 47m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 34m. Total distance: 73.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this trip, with 87% of the 73.6 miles taking place on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is a significant 57 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike, meaning extended periods of consistent driving. You'll begin on Hainesport-Mount Laurel Road and NJ 38 before merging onto the Turnpike. This setup suggests a transition from local roads to the main artery of the journey, setting a clear pace for the drive. The character is largely about efficient travel, prioritizing speed and directness over varied scenery.
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.
New Jersey Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 57 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and Hainesport-Mount Laurel Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.2 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.6 miles you will encounter 17 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 10.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 15.5 miles (NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
10.2 mi into trip|~15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJTP North: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward NJTP North: New York
6
15.5 mi into trip|~22m in|NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
67.4 mi into trip|~1h 22m in
Take the exit toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport
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 13A
Toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport
6
68.8 mi into trip|~1h 25m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
70.8 mi into trip|~1h 28m in|NJ 21
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21 toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Mount Laurel, NJ and Newark, NJ, road signs point toward All Turns, Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York, Newark Airport and Elizabeth Seaport.
All Turns
9.7 mi in|~14m
Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
9.9 mi in|~14m|via NJ Turnpike Exit 5
Njtp North: New York
10.2 mi in|~15m
Newark Airport
67.4 mi in|~1h 22m
Elizabeth Seaport
67.4 mi in|~1h 22m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
57 mi
1h 6m
Hainesport-Mount Laurel Road
3.6 mi
5m
NJ 38
2.3 mi
2m
NJ 21
1.9 mi
3m
Mount Holly Bypass
1.9 mi
2m
US 1
1.7 mi
2m
Burlington-Mount Holly Road
1.6 mi
2m
NJ 81
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 57 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Laurel, NJ and Newark, NJ.
1
Start on CR 603
142 ft·5 sec·Mount Laurel Road
2
Turn right onto CR 674
3.6 mi·5 min·Hainesport-Mount Laurel Road
Use the right lane.
3
Turn slight right onto NJ 38
2.3 mi·2 min·NJ 38
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.1 mi·20 sec
Use the slight right lane.
5
Turn left onto CR 541
1.4 mi·1 min·Mount Holly Bypass
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on CR 541
0.2 mi·19 sec·Mount Holly Avenue Bypass
7
Continue on CR 541
0.5 mi·49 sec·Mount Holly Bypass
8
At end of road, turn left onto CR 541
1.6 mi·2 min·Burlington-Mount Holly Road
Use the left lane.
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi·27 sec
Toward NJTP: Hancock Lane, All Turns
10
Turn left onto Hancock Lane
306 ft·6 sec·Hancock Lane
11
Continue on NJ Turnpike Exit 5
0.2 mi·40 sec·NJ Turnpike Exit 5
Toward NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·52 sec
Toward NJTP North: New York
13
Merge onto NJTP
5.1 mi·5 min·New Jersey Turnpike
14
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP
52 mi·1 hr·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 13AToward Newark Airport, Elizabeth SeaportUse the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto NJ 81
0.7 mi·1 min·NJ 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·44 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 1; US 9
1.7 mi·2 min·US 1; US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21
1.9 mi·3 min·NJ 21
Toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, DowntownUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
229 ft·7 sec·Chestnut Street
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto Mulberry Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Mulberry Street
22
Turn left onto CR 510
0.2 mi·29 sec·Market Street
Use the left lane.
23
Arrive at destination
CR 510
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 34-minute drive covering 73.6 miles, departing during off-peak hours will significantly enhance your experience by minimizing potential traffic delays, especially on the New Jersey Turnpike. With only 0 planned stops and a fuel cost estimated at $12, this trip is designed for efficiency. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without an exit is 57 miles on the Turnpike. Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to leave when it's most convenient for you. A practical tip: have your toll payment method ready, as the New Jersey Turnpike is a toll road and being prepared will save you time.
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 36.8 miles from Mount Laurel, NJ, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57 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 16 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.8 miles or 47m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newark, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Mount Laurel, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Mount Laurel, NJ
This is one driving day of about 73.6 miles and 1h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Mount Laurel, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New Jersey Turnpike for about 57 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.8 mi from Mount Laurel, NJ
· 47m into the drive
The midpoint is around 36.8 miles from Mount Laurel, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Newark, NJ
The final approach into Newark, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Thomas Edison National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
Silk cloth and steam locomotives; textiles and continuous paper rolls; firearms and aircraft engines. What do these things have in common? All were manufactured in the same place - Paterson, NJ. In 17...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 73.6
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.20 one way
$24.40 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$13.36
$26.73
premium
$4.93
$14.27
$28.55
diesel
$5.61
$16.25
$32.50
Estimated Tolls: $8.01
New Jersey Turnpike
(57 mi)$7.98
Nj Turnpike
(0.2 mi)$0.03
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
$12
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.1
0
$7.73
$3.53
Efficient EV
18.4
0
$6.44
$2.94
EV Truck/SUV
29.4
0
$10.30
$4.71
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Mount Laurel, NJ
Night
in Mount Laurel on Thursday
Local time
11:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Newark, NJ
Night
in Newark on Thursday
Local time
11:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
45°F
Manalapan, NJ
37 mi in
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
14 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 34m 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 Mount Laurel, NJ to Newark, NJ covers 73.6 miles and takes about 1h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New Jersey Turnpike, Hainesport-Mount Laurel Road, NJ 38. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.8 miles from Mount Laurel, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.20 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 73.6 miles you will encounter 17 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 10.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 15.5 miles (NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Mount Laurel, NJ and Newark, NJ, road signs point toward All Turns, Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York, Newark Airport and Elizabeth Seaport.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
