Origin
Woodcliff Lake, NJ
Night in Woodcliff Lake on Sunday
Local time
10:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Woodcliff Lake, NJ to Lakewood, NJ
Drive Time
1h 42m
Distance
72 mi
116 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 35m
★
6 AM
1h 43m
8 AM
1h 58m
10 AM
1h 48m
12 PM
1h 47m
3 PM
1h 49m
5 PM
1h 58m
8 PM
1h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Woodcliff Lake, NJ
David Kanigan
Lakewood, NJ
James Kampeis
Trip Overview
Driving from Woodcliff Lake to Lakewood, NJ, covers 72 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 42 minutes. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused journey through the Northeast, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $12 on fuel for the trip. Since the entire route stays within New Jersey, you will experience a consistent regional feel as you transition from the northern part of the state toward the central coast. This drive is ideal for those who prefer an efficient, direct path to their destination.
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
36 miles from Woodcliff Lake, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient transit, as 95% of your journey will be spent on highways. You will primarily utilize the Garden State Parkway Southbound and US Highway 9 to navigate the state. The most significant portion of your time behind the wheel involves a 36.4-mile stretch along the Garden State Parkway, which serves as the backbone of this trip. Because the route is so heavily focused on major interstates, the drive maintains a consistent, fast-paced rhythm. It is a functional, no-nonsense commute that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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 36.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and US Highway 9. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in near GSP / Garden State Parkway.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 72 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 3.3 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 43.7 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 44.4 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
3.3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
GSP / Garden State Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
43.7 mi into trip
|
~1h in
|
GSP / Garden State Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
44.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
|
GSP / Garden State Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
44.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward US 9 South: Sayreville, Old Bridge
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 123
Toward US 9 South: Sayreville, Old Bridge
6
72 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
|
8th Street
Turn left onto 8th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 36.4 mi | 48m |
| US Highway 9 | 25.9 mi | 38m |
| Garden State Parkway Southbound | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| Werimus Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Madison Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| Van Emburgh Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Washington Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| 8th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 36.4 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Woodcliff Lake, NJ and Lakewood, NJ.
1
Start on CR 71; CR 90
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Werimus Road
2
At end of road, turn left onto CR 71
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
Werimus Road
3
Continue on CR 71
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
Van Emburgh Avenue
4
Turn left onto CR 502
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Washington Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
49 sec
Toward GSP Toll South
6
Merge onto GSP
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Garden State Parkway
7
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
34 mi
·
46 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the none lane.
8
Continue on Garden State Parkway
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Garden State Parkway Southbound
Use the none lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the none lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 123
Toward US 9 South: Sayreville, Old Bridge
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto US 9
26 mi
·
38 min
·
US Highway 9
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on US 9
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Madison Avenue
Use the none lane.
14
Turn left onto 8th Street
46 ft
·
2 sec
·
8th Street
Use the left lane.
15
Arrive at destination
8th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 1-hour and 42-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns. Since there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you can easily complete the 72-mile distance in one go. Keep in mind that your fuel budget is estimated at $12, so topping off your tank before you leave Woodcliff Lake will ensure a smooth, uninterrupted run. If you are sensitive to heavy traffic, check for congestion on the Garden State Parkway before you head out. Enjoy the simplicity of this short, highway-reliant route.
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 36 miles from Woodcliff Lake, NJ, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.4 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 72 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36 miles or 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 26m
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 Woodcliff Lake, 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 Woodcliff Lake, NJ
This is one driving day of about 72 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Woodcliff Lake, 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 36.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36 mi from Woodcliff Lake, NJ · 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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 72 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36 miles from Woodcliff Lake, 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
$11.91 one way
$23.83 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $13.04 | $26.07 |
| premium | $4.92 | $13.95 | $27.90 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $16.00 | $31.99 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.56
Garden State Parkway
(42.6 mi)
$2.56
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
$12
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.6 | 0 | $7.56 | $3.46 |
| Efficient EV | 18 | 0 | $6.30 | $2.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.8 | 0 | $10.08 | $4.61 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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
Night in Lakewood on Sunday
Local time
10:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°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
22 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 42m 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 Woodcliff Lake, NJ to Lakewood, NJ covers 72 miles and takes about 1h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, US Highway 9, Garden State Parkway Southbound. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36 miles from Woodcliff Lake, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.91 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 10 significant decision points across 72 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 3.3 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 43.7 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 44.4 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Woodcliff Lake, NJ to Lakewood, NJ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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