Trip from Newark, NJ to Matawan, NJ

Drive Time

41m

Distance

27.4 mi

44 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 10 min

4 AM

0h 38m ★

6 AM

0h 42m

8 AM

0h 48m

10 AM

0h 44m

12 PM

0h 43m

3 PM

0h 44m

5 PM

0h 48m

8 PM

0h 39m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Matawan, NJ

Garrison Gao

Trip Overview

The drive from Newark, NJ to Matawan, NJ covers 27.4 miles and takes about 41m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, US 1 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 9.4 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $4.53 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

13.7 miles from Newark, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 21m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 41m highway drive covering 27.4 miles, with most of the trip on New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 9.4 miles on New Jersey Turnpike.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 24 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 9.4 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

149 ft 9 ft

Total Climb

412 ft

Total Descent

391 ft

Highest Point

149 ft

~17.1 mi in

Elevation Range

140 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.4 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 27.4 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 5.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.2 miles (Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5.4 mi into trip | ~11m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton

15.2 mi into trip | ~23m in | Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9

Take the exit onto Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9 toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge

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 11 Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbri...

16.6 mi into trip | ~25m in

Keep slight left at fork toward GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Pa...

16.9 mi into trip | ~26m in | GSP Southbound entrance

Keep slight left at fork onto GSP Southbound entrance toward GSP South: Garden State Parkway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward GSP South: Garden State Parkway

25.2 mi into trip | ~36m in

Take the exit toward Laurence Harbor, Matawan

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 120 Toward Laurence Harbor, Matawan

Towns Along This Route

Between Newark, NJ and Matawan, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp South: Trenton, Gsp, Woodbridge, Gsp South, Perth Amboy and Laurence Harbor.

Njtp South: Trenton

5.4 mi in | ~11m

Gsp

15.2 mi in | ~23m | via Exit 11

Woodbridge

15.2 mi in | ~23m | via Exit 11

Gsp South

16.6 mi in | ~25m

Perth Amboy

16.6 mi in | ~25m

Laurence Harbor

25.2 mi in | ~36m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
New Jersey Turnpike	9.4 mi	11m
Garden State Parkway	7.9 mi	9m
US 1	1.7 mi	2m
McCarter Highway	1.5 mi	3m
Exit to GSP and US Route 9	1.4 mi	2m
Ravine Drive	1.4 mi	2m
NJ 81	1.1 mi	2m
Mulberry Street	0.7 mi	1m

Longest stretch: New Jersey Turnpike — 9.4 mi, about 11m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Newark, NJ and Matawan, NJ.

Start on CR 510

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Market Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto Mulberry Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Mulberry Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn slight right onto NJ 21

1.5 mi · 3 min · McCarter Highway

Use the left lane.

Merge onto US 1; US 9

0.2 mi · 17 sec · US 1; US 9

Continue on US 1; US 9

1.5 mi · 2 min · US 1; US 9

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Continue on NJ 81

1.1 mi · 2 min · NJ 81

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

315 ft · 7 sec

Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec

Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton

Merge onto I 95; NJTP

9.4 mi · 11 min · New Jersey Turnpike

Take the exit onto Exit 11

1.4 mi · 2 min · Exit to GSP and US Route 9

Exit 11 Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Toward GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto GSP Southbound entrance

0.5 mi · 1 min · GSP Southbound entrance

Toward GSP South: Garden State Parkway Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto GSP

3.0 mi · 3 min · Garden State Parkway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto GSP

0.7 mi · 49 sec · Garden State Parkway

Keep slight right at fork onto GSP

4.1 mi · 4 min · Garden State Parkway

Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Exit 120 Toward Laurence Harbor, Matawan Use the slight right lane.

Continue on this road

339 ft · 12 sec · this road

Use the left lane.

Turn slight right onto CR 626

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Matawan Road

Continue on CR 626

0.2 mi · 36 sec · Morristown Road

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn right onto CR 6A

1.4 mi · 2 min · Ravine Drive

Use the right lane.

At end of road, turn left onto CR 516

189 ft · 10 sec · Main Street

Turn left onto Little Street

21 ft · 0 sec · Little Street

Arrive at destination

Little Street

Trip Plan

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 13.7 miles from Newark, NJ, or about 21m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 9.4 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 27.4 miles or 41m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 13.7 miles or 21m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 34m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Matawan, NJ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Newark, 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 Newark, NJ

This is one driving day of about 27.4 miles and 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Newark, 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 New Jersey Turnpike for about 9.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 13.7 mi from Newark, NJ · 21m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

14 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

Staten Island, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 13.7 miles from Newark, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Matawan, NJ

The final approach into Matawan, 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 Matawan, 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

$4.53 one way

$9.07 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 10 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.60	$4.96	$9.92
premium	$4.92	$5.31	$10.62
diesel	$5.64	$6.09	$12.17

Estimated Tolls: $1.78

New Jersey Turnpike (9.4 mi) $1.31

Garden State Parkway (7.9 mi) $0.47

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

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$31–$56

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 9.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	8.2	$2.88	$1.32
Efficient EV	6.9	$2.40	$1.10
EV Truck/SUV	11	$3.84	$1.75

Gas CO2

10 kg

EV CO2

3 kg (70% 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 3 days ago

Origin

Newark, NJ

Night in Newark on Sunday

Local time

10:44 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Matawan, NJ

Night in Matawan on Sunday

Local time

10:44 PM

EDT

Current temp

57°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

41m 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 Newark, NJ to Matawan, NJ covers 27.4 miles and takes about 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, US 1. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 13.7 miles from Newark, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.53 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.