Origin
Prospect Park, NJ
Late night in Prospect Park on Thursday
Local time
12:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Prospect Park, NJ to Lakewood, NJ
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
50m
Distance
38 mi
61 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 46m
★
6 AM
0h 50m
8 AM
0h 59m
10 AM
0h 53m
12 PM
0h 52m
3 PM
0h 54m
5 PM
0h 58m
8 PM
0h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Prospect Park, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Lakewood, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick trip from Prospect Park to Lakewood, you are looking at a straightforward 38-mile journey that typically takes about 50 minutes. This route is designed for efficiency, relying on the Central Jersey Expressway, John Fitch Way, and US Highway 9 to get you to your destination. Because the total travel time is under an hour, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. Budgeting approximately $6 for fuel is a safe bet for this transit through the Northeast. Ultimately, this drive is a practical, no-nonsense connection between these two New Jersey communities.
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
19 miles from Prospect Park, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 25m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 81% of your travel occurring on high-speed roads. You will find yourself settling into a rhythm during the longest stretch of the journey, which covers 27 miles along the Central Jersey Expressway. While the route prioritizes speed and directness, the character of the road shifts as you transition between the various highways and US-9. It is a functional, consistent experience behind the wheel, lacking the complexity of technical local roads but offering a reliable pace. Expect a steady, uninterrupted drive that prioritizes getting you from point A to point B without unnecessary deviations.
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.
Central Jersey Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 27 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
159 ft
14 ft
Total Climb
182 ft
Total Descent
203 ft
Highest Point
159 ft
~24.4 mi in
Elevation Range
144 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Central Jersey Expressway and John Fitch Way. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near CR 653 / Calhoun Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 38 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 1 miles (CR 653 / Calhoun Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles (NJ 29 / John Fitch Way): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
CR 653 / Calhoun Street
Turn right onto CR 653 / Calhoun Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
5
1.7 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward NJ 29 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward NJ 29 South
5
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
NJ 29 / John Fitch Way
Turn right onto NJ 29 / John Fitch Way
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
33.1 mi into trip
|
~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
38 mi into trip
|
~50m in
|
8th Street
Turn left onto 8th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Central Jersey Expressway | 27 mi | 31m |
| John Fitch Way | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| US Highway 9 | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| Madison Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| Calhoun Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Pennington Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Prospect Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Weber Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Central Jersey Expressway
— 27 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Prospect Park, NJ and Lakewood, NJ.
1
Start on Weber Avenue
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
Weber Avenue
2
Turn left onto CR 627
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Prospect Street
3
Turn left onto NJ 31
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
Pennington Avenue
4
Turn right onto CR 653
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Calhoun Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
5
Take the ramp
306 ft
·
10 sec
Toward NJ 29 South
Use the right lane.
6
Turn right onto NJ 29
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
John Fitch Way
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 195
27 mi
·
31 min
·
Central Jersey Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 28A
Toward US 9 South: Lakewood
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto US 9
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
US Highway 9
10
Continue on US 9
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Madison Avenue
11
Turn left onto 8th Street
46 ft
·
2 sec
·
8th Street
Use the left lane.
12
Arrive at destination
8th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, efficient drive, you have the advantage of total flexibility in your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 38-mile distance without needing to build in scheduled stops for fuel or rest, as the trip duration is well under an hour. Keep in mind that with such a high percentage of highway travel, traffic density on the Central Jersey Expressway can fluctuate; checking local conditions before you pull out of Prospect Park is a smart move. Because the route is so compact, you can comfortably plan your day in Lakewood without being fatigued from the road. Prioritize a departure that aligns with your specific plans in Lakewood, as the drive itself is unlikely to be the most time-consuming part of your day.
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 19 miles from Prospect Park, NJ, or about 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27 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 38 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 19 miles or 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 40m
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 Prospect Park, 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 Prospect Park, NJ
This is one driving day of about 38 miles and 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Prospect Park, 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 Central Jersey Expressway for about 27 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 19 mi from Prospect Park, NJ · 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 19 miles from Prospect Park, 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
$6.30 one way
$12.60 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $6.90 | $13.80 |
| premium | $4.93 | $7.37 | $14.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.39 | $16.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.4 | 0 | $3.99 | $1.82 |
| Efficient EV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.32 | $1.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.2 | 0 | $5.32 | $2.43 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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 Thursday
Local time
12:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°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
13 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
50m 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 Prospect Park, NJ to Lakewood, NJ covers 38 miles and takes about 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Central Jersey Expressway, John Fitch Way, 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 19 miles from Prospect Park, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.30 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 38 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 1 miles (CR 653 / Calhoun Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles (NJ 29 / John Fitch Way): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Prospect Park, NJ to Lakewood, NJ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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