Origin
Penns Grove, NJ
Late night in Penns Grove on Monday
Local time
5:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Penns Grove, NJ to Lakewood, NJ
Drive Time
1h 49m
Distance
89.4 mi
144 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 41m
★
6 AM
1h 49m
8 AM
2h 6m
10 AM
1h 55m
12 PM
1h 53m
3 PM
1h 56m
5 PM
2h 5m
8 PM
1h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Penns Grove, NJ
Trev W. Adams
Lakewood, NJ
James Kampeis
Trip Overview
The drive from Penns Grove, NJ to Lakewood, NJ covers 89.4 miles and takes about 1h 49m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 295, Central Jersey Expressway, US Highway 9 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 55.1 miles on I 295. At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.79 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
44.7 miles from Penns Grove, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 1h 49m highway drive covering 89.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 295 and Central Jersey Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 55.1 miles on I 295.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 295 is the longest continuous segment at about 55.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 295 and Central Jersey Expressway. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in near I 295.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 89.4 miles you will encounter 8 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 2.1 miles (I 295): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 57.3 miles (Exit 60): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 57.7 miles (I 195 East): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 295
Merge onto I 295
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
57.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
|
Exit 60
Take the exit onto Exit 60 toward NJ 29 North, I 195 East: Trenton, Belmar
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 60
Toward NJ 29 North, I 195 East: Trenton, Belmar
5
57.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
|
I 195 East
Keep slight right at fork onto I 195 East toward I 195 East: Belmar
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 195 East: Belmar
7
84.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
Take the exit toward US 9 South: Lakewood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 28A
Toward US 9 South: Lakewood
6
89.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
|
8th Street
Turn left onto 8th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Penns Grove, NJ to Lakewood, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Belmar along the way.
Belmar
57.3 mi in
|
~1h 8m
|
via Exit 60
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 295 | 55.1 mi | 1h 4m |
| Central Jersey Expressway | 26.5 mi | 30m |
| US Highway 9 | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| Harding Highway | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Madison Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| I 195 East | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Exit 60 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 55.1 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Penns Grove, NJ and Lakewood, NJ.
1
Start on East Main Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Main Street
2
Continue on Harding Highway
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Harding Highway
3
Take the ramp slight right toward I 295 North
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
I 295 North
4
Merge slight left
55 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
5
Take the exit slight right toward NJ 29 North, I 195 East: Trenton, Belmar
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
NJ 29 North, I 195 East: Trenton, Belmar
6
Keep slight right to continue on I 195 East: Belmar
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
I 195 East: Belmar
7
Merge slight left onto Central Jersey Expressway
26 mi
·
30 min
·
Central Jersey Expressway
8
Take the exit slight right toward US 9 South: Lakewood
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
US 9 South: Lakewood
9
Merge slight left onto US Highway 9
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
US Highway 9
10
Continue on Madison Avenue
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Madison Avenue
11
Turn left onto 8th Street
46 ft
·
2 sec
·
8th Street
12
Arrive at your destination
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 44.7 miles from Penns Grove, NJ, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.1 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 80 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.7 miles or 53m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakewood, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Penns Grove, 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 Penns Grove, NJ
This is one driving day of about 89.4 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Penns Grove, 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 I 295 for about 55.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 44.7 mi from Penns Grove, NJ · 53m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
45 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 44.7 miles from Penns Grove, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lakewood, NJ
The final approach into Lakewood, 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 Lakewood, 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
$14.79 one way
$29.59 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $16.19 | $32.37 |
| premium | $4.92 | $17.32 | $34.65 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $19.86 | $39.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.8 | 0 | $9.39 | $4.29 |
| Efficient EV | 22.4 | 0 | $7.82 | $3.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.8 | 0 | $12.52 | $5.72 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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
Lakewood, NJ
Late night in Lakewood on Monday
Local time
5:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°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
1h 49m 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 Penns Grove, NJ to Lakewood, NJ covers 89.4 miles and takes about 1h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 295, Central Jersey Expressway, US Highway 9. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 44.7 miles from Penns Grove, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.79 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 89.4 miles you will encounter 8 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 2.1 miles (I 295): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 57.3 miles (Exit 60): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 57.7 miles (I 195 East): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Penns Grove, NJ to Lakewood, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Belmar along the way.
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