This straightforward 41.1-mile drive from Ridgewood, NJ to Edison, NJ is designed for a single day, taking approximately 1 hour and 4 minutes to complete. With a budget of around $7 for fuel, this route is an efficient way to travel within the Northeast region. The journey primarily utilizes the Garden State Parkway and US 1, offering a highway-focused experience. Given its short distance and duration, it's an ideal option for a quick trip without the need for an overnight stay, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
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
20.6 miles from Ridgewood, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 32m into the drive
.
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 41.1-mile route, with 78% of the drive on high-speed roads. You'll spend a significant stretch, up to 23.8 miles uninterrupted, on the Garden State Parkway. The transition to US 1 and then Lincoln Avenue will gradually shift the character from high-speed travel to more local road conditions as you approach your destination. This blend means you'll experience both the efficiency of the parkway and the more varied environment of urban and suburban thoroughfares.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Garden State Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 23.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and US 1. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.9 miles in near Memorial Drive.
Route Complexity10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 41.1 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 5.9 miles (Memorial Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.9 miles (CR 509 / West Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.4 miles (NJ 19 / Ward Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
5.9 mi into trip|~11m in|Memorial Drive
Turn right onto Memorial Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
5.9 mi into trip|~12m in|CR 509 / West Broadway
Turn left onto CR 509 / West Broadway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
6.4 mi into trip|~12m in|NJ 19 / Ward Street
Turn right onto NJ 19 / Ward Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
34.2 mi into trip|~51m in
Take the exit toward US 1: Newark, Trenton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 130B-A
Toward US 1: Newark, Trenton
9
34.4 mi into trip|~52m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 1 South: Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 130B
Toward US 1 South: Trenton
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ridgewood, NJ and Edison, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp South and Trenton.
Gsp South
8.6 mi in|~15m
Trenton
34.2 mi in|~51m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
23.8 mi
33m
US 1
5.1 mi
7m
Lincoln Avenue
2.9 mi
5m
NJ 19
2 mi
2m
River Street
1.9 mi
3m
Garden State Parkway Southbound
1.3 mi
1m
Plainfield Avenue
1.1 mi
2m
Godwin Avenue
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 23.8 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ridgewood, NJ and Edison, NJ.
1
Start on East Ridgewood Avenue
0.2 mi·39 sec·East Ridgewood Avenue
2
Turn right onto North Broad Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·North Broad Street
3
Turn left onto CR 80
0.2 mi·17 sec·Garber Square
4
Continue on CR 80
412 ft·14 sec·Wilsey Square
5
Continue on CR 80
0.4 mi·1 min·Godwin Avenue
6
Turn left onto CR 69
2.9 mi·5 min·Lincoln Avenue
7
Continue on CR 504; CR 653
518 ft·9 sec·River Street
8
Keep slight right at fork onto River Street
1.8 mi·2 min·River Street
9
At end of road, turn left onto CR 509
233 ft·7 sec·Main Street
10
Turn right onto Memorial Drive
409 ft·14 sec·Memorial Drive
Use the right lane.
11
Turn left onto CR 509
0.1 mi·11 sec·West Broadway
Use the left lane.
12
Turn right onto CR 509
0.3 mi·36 sec·Main Street
13
Turn right onto NJ 19
397 ft·9 sec·Ward Street
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on NJ 19
0.2 mi·17 sec·Oliver Street
15
Turn slight left onto NJ 19
2.0 mi·2 min·NJ 19
Use the slight left lane.
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward GSP SouthUse the slight left lane.
17
Merge onto GSP
24 mi·33 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Continue on Garden State Parkway
1.3 mi·1 min·Garden State Parkway Southbound
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 130B-AToward US 1: Newark, TrentonUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 130BToward US 1 South: TrentonUse the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto US 1
0.1 mi·12 sec·US 1
22
Continue on US 1
2.1 mi·3 min·US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on US 1
2.8 mi·4 min·US 1
24
Take the exit
208 ft·3 sec
Use the slight right lane.
25
Turn straight onto Fulton Street
0.1 mi·19 sec·Fulton Street
26
Turn right onto CR 529
1.1 mi·2 min·Plainfield Avenue
27
Turn left onto Central Avenue
345 ft·17 sec·Central Avenue
28
Turn right onto Reed Street
523 ft·28 sec·Reed Street
29
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this short, 1-hour drive, leaving at your convenience is feasible, but be mindful of potential traffic, especially during peak commuting hours in New Jersey. With only 41.1 miles, there's no need to plan extensive stops; however, the longest stretch without a major road change is 23.8 miles on the Garden State Parkway, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking. Your estimated fuel cost is a low $7, making this an economical trip. A practical tip: keep an eye out for the transition from the Garden State Parkway to US 1, as this is a key point where the driving environment changes.
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 20.6 miles from Ridgewood, NJ, or about 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.8 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 41.1 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 20.6 miles or 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Edison, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ridgewood, 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 Ridgewood, NJ
This is one driving day of about 41.1 miles and 1h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ridgewood, 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 Garden State Parkway for about 23.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.6 mi from Ridgewood, NJ
· 32m into the drive
The midpoint is around 20.6 miles from Ridgewood, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Edison, NJ
The final approach into Edison, 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 Edison, NJ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Silk cloth and steam locomotives; textiles and continuous paper rolls; firearms and aircraft engines. What do these things have in common? All were manufactured in the same place - Paterson, NJ. In 17...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 5.7
Caution: Limited Amphitheater Accessibility
Caution: Overlook Park Parking Lot - Vehicles Must Be Parked in a Designated Spot
Today, the brick buildings on Main Street in West Orange, NJ seem quiet, betraying little evidence of the research, development, and innovation of their heyday. Visitors can step back in time to Thoma...
Morristown National Historical Park commemorates the sites of General Washington and the Continental Army’s winter encampment from December 1779 to June 1780, where soldiers survived the coldest winte...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 25.5
Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 19.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.81 one way
$13.63 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg14 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$7.46
$14.93
premium
$4.93
$7.97
$15.94
diesel
$5.61
$9.07
$18.15
Estimated Tolls: $1.51
Garden State Parkway
(25.1 mi)$1.51
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
$7
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging
· 0 stops
· 64% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
12.3
0
$4.32
$1.97
Efficient EV
10.3
0
$3.60
$1.64
EV Truck/SUV
16.4
0
$5.75
$2.63
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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.
Forecast data refreshed 5 days ago
Origin
Ridgewood, NJ
Night
in Ridgewood on Tuesday
Local time
11:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Edison, NJ
Night
in Edison on Tuesday
Local time
11:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°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
2 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 4m 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 Ridgewood, NJ to Edison, NJ covers 41.1 miles and takes about 1h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, US 1, Lincoln Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 20.6 miles from Ridgewood, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.81 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 is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 41.1 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.9 miles (Memorial Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.9 miles (CR 509 / West Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.4 miles (NJ 19 / Ward Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Between Ridgewood, NJ and Edison, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp South and Trenton.
