Origin
Phillipsburg, NJ
Night in Phillipsburg on Friday
Local time
9:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 16m
Distance
52.1 mi
84 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Phillipsburg, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trenton, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
This 52.1-mile drive from Phillipsburg, NJ to Trenton, NJ is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 16 minutes. Given its relatively short duration and the estimated $9 fuel cost, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You'll primarily be on the Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway and NJ 31 Southbound, making for a direct path through the Northeast region of New Jersey. This drive offers a practical way to travel between these two points, prioritizing efficiency over scenic detours.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 16m. Total distance: 52.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a highway-focused experience for 84% of this 52.1-mile trip. The Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch at 13.3 miles, setting a brisk pace early on. As you transition to NJ 31 Southbound (also referred to as Route 31 Southbound), the character remains largely consistent with efficient highway travel. This route is designed for getting from point A to point B effectively, with minimal deviations from main roads.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway and NJ 31. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Warren Street.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 52.1 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.2 miles (Warren Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.7 miles (US 22): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.9 miles (US 22): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn left onto Warren Street
Navigation decision point
Take the exit onto US 22 toward I 78, US 22 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto US 22 toward I 78 East, US 22 East: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward NJ 31 South: Flemington, Trenton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto NJ 31 toward NJ 31 South, CR 579 South: Trenton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Phillipsburg, NJ to Trenton, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 579 South: Trenton along the way.
Cr 579 South: Trenton
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway | 13.3 mi | 15m |
| NJ 31 | 10.3 mi | 16m |
| Route 31 Southbound | 9.9 mi | 11m |
| US 202 | 5.8 mi | 8m |
| Pennington Road | 4.3 mi | 8m |
| Olden Avenue | 3.2 mi | 6m |
| US 22 | 3.2 mi | 5m |
| Memorial Parkway | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Phillipsburg, NJ and Trenton, NJ.
Start on Hudson Street
At end of road, turn left onto Warren Street
Turn right onto US 22
Turn straight onto US 22
Take the exit onto US 22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 22
Merge onto I 78; US 22
Take the exit
Merge onto NJ 31
Enter roundabout onto US 202; NJ 31
Continue on US 202; NJ 31
Take the exit onto NJ 31
Enter roundabout onto NJ 31
Continue on NJ 31
Turn left onto CR 622
Turn right onto CR 606
Turn right onto CR 626
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.1 mi from Phillipsburg, NJ · 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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.
A short stop after about 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 26.1 miles from Phillipsburg, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Trenton, 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.
Regular Gas
$8.64 one way
$17.28 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $9.46 | $18.92 |
| premium | $4.93 | $10.10 | $20.21 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.50 | $23.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.6 | 0 | $5.47 | $2.50 |
| Efficient EV | 13 | 0 | $4.56 | $2.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.8 | 0 | $7.29 | $3.33 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Phillipsburg on Friday
Local time
9:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Trenton on Friday
Local time
9:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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