Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountDrive Time
31m
Distance
17.5 mi
28 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Somerset, NJ
Malcolm Garret
The drive from Rahway, NJ to Somerset, NJ covers 17.5 miles and takes about 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 1, Memorial Parkway, Franklin Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 11.1 miles on US 1. At current regular gas prices, budget about $2.90 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
8.7 miles from Rahway, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 15m into the drive .
This is a 31m highway drive covering 17.5 miles, with most of the trip on US 1 and Memorial Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 11.1 miles on US 1.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 1 and Memorial Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near CR 648 / East Milton Avenue.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 17.5 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 0.3 miles (CR 648 / East Milton Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 3.7 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Turn sharp left onto CR 648 / East Milton Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward NJ 18: New Brunswick, East Brunswick
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick, Piscataway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Easton Avenue, So Bound Brook
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Between Rahway, NJ and Somerset, NJ, road signs point toward Brunswick, Piscataway and So Bound Brook.
Brunswick
Piscataway
So Bound Brook
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 1 | 11.1 mi | 17m |
| Memorial Parkway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Franklin Boulevard | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Belmar Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| East Milton Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| State Route 18 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Landing Lane | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| George Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Rahway, NJ and Somerset, NJ.
Start on Elm Avenue
Turn right onto Irving Street
Turn sharp left onto CR 648
Turn right onto CR 514
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 1; US 9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1
Continue on US 1
Continue on US 1
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto NJ 18; CR 527
Continue on NJ 18
Take the exit
Turn straight onto (672)
Turn left onto CR 609
Continue on CR 617
Turn right onto Belmar Street
At end of road, turn left onto Abbott Road
Turn left onto West Point Avenue
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 17.5 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8.7 miles or 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Somerset, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Rahway, 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 Rahway, NJ
This is one driving day of about 17.5 miles and 31m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8.7 mi from Rahway, NJ · 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
9 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 17.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 8.7 miles from Rahway, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Somerset, 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 Somerset, NJ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$2.90 one way
$5.79 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $3.17 | $6.34 |
| premium | $4.92 | $3.39 | $6.78 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.89 | $7.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.1 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 | 5.3 | 0 | $1.84 | $0.84 |
| Efficient EV | 4.4 | 0 | $1.53 | $0.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7 | 0 | $2.45 | $1.12 |
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
Morning in Rahway on Monday
Local time
6:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Mostly Cloudy
Destination
Morning in Somerset on Monday
Local time
6:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Mostly Cloudy
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.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Rahway, NJ or browse trips ending in Somerset, NJ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NJ road trips.
Explore maps for Rahway, NJ or Somerset, NJ on MapSof.net.