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Create accountDrive Time
28m
Distance
16.3 mi
26 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Plainfield, NJ
Thomas Parker
The drive from Plainfield, NJ to Newark, NJ covers 16.3 miles and takes about 28m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 22, Springfield Avenue, Garden State Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 9.2 miles on US 22. At current regular gas prices, budget about $2.70 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
8.1 miles from Plainfield, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 13m into the drive .
This is a 28m highway drive covering 16.3 miles, with most of the trip on US 22 and Springfield Avenue. The longest continuous stretch is about 9.2 miles on US 22.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 22 and Springfield Avenue. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near CR 642 / Mountain Avenue.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 16.3 miles you will encounter 7 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 0.6 miles (CR 642 / Mountain Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 10.3 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn right onto CR 642 / Mountain Avenue
Navigation decision point
Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Irvington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto Cleremont Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto CR 603 / Springfield Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Between Plainfield, NJ and Newark, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp Toll North: Paterson and Irvington.
Gsp Toll North: Paterson
Irvington
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 22 | 9.2 mi | 14m |
| Springfield Avenue | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| Garden State Parkway | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Leland Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Ball Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Market Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Mountain Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Cleremont Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Plainfield, NJ and Newark, NJ.
Start on Leland Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto CR 642
Merge onto US 22
Continue on US 22
Continue on US 22
Take the exit
Merge onto GSP
Take the exit
Turn left onto Cleremont Avenue
Continue on Ball Street
Continue on Washington Avenue
Turn right onto CR 603
Continue on CR 510
Arrive at destination
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.
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 16.3 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8.1 miles or 13m 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 Newark, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Plainfield, 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 Plainfield, NJ
This is one driving day of about 16.3 miles and 28m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8.1 mi from Plainfield, NJ · 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
8 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 16.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 8.1 miles from Plainfield, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Newark, NJ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$2.70 one way
$5.39 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $2.95 | $5.90 |
| premium | $4.92 | $3.16 | $6.32 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.62 | $7.24 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.13
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
$3
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.9 | 0 | $1.71 | $0.78 |
| Efficient EV | 4.1 | 0 | $1.43 | $0.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.5 | 0 | $2.28 | $1.04 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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
Late night in Plainfield on Monday
Local time
12:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Late night in Newark on Monday
Local time
12:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Sunny
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
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
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.
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