How far is Menlo Park, NJ from Sparta, NJ?
The driving distance from Menlo Park, NJ to Sparta, NJ is about 50.8 miles (81.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 36 miles (57.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 01h 10m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township of New Jersey
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Rain Showers Likely
Mostly Cloudy then Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Menlo Park and Sparta.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Menlo Park and Sparta.
-
1
Start on Philip Street
897 ft · 36 sec · Philip Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Lincoln Highway
1 km · 1 min · Lincoln Highway
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3
Take the ramp left toward GSP Toll North
142 m · 11 sec
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4
Continue straight
1306 ft · 47 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
14.4 mi · 20 min · Garden State Parkway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 280, CR 508: Newark, The Oranges
1321 ft · 32 sec
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7
Continue on I 280, CR 508: Newark, The Oranges
49 m · 4 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 280 West, I 280 East: Orange, West Orange, Newark, Harrison
1012 ft · 25 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 280 West: The Oranges
943 ft · 23 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 280 West: The Oranges
627 ft · 15 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Essex Freeway
11.5 mi · 14 min · Essex Freeway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 280 West, I 80 West
2420 ft · 32 sec
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13
Merge slight right onto Christopher Columbus Highway
11.4 mi · 13 min · Christopher Columbus Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward NJ 15 North: Sparta, Jefferson
1 km · 1 min
-
15
Continue on NJ 15 North
8 mi · 11 min · NJ 15 North
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Sparta, Lake Mohawk, Business District
1026 ft · 25 sec
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on Sparta, Lake Mohawk, Business District
158 m · 13 sec
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18
Continue on Blue Heron Road
1007 ft · 20 sec · Blue Heron Road
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19
Continue on Woodport Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Woodport Road
-
20
Continue on Woodport Road
577 ft · 17 sec · Woodport Road
-
21
Turn left
82 m · 28 sec
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22
Turn left
82 m · 20 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Menlo Park and Sparta.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Garden State Parkway
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
14.4 mi · 00h 20m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Cloudy then Rain Showers Likely leaving Menlo Park and Mostly Cloudy then Rain Showers Likely near Sparta.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Menlo Park to Sparta?
The road trip is about 50.8 miles (81.7 km) and usually takes 01h 10m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
West Caldwell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.4 miles from Menlo Park and 25.4 miles from Sparta.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 36 miles (57.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:10 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.69 one way or $15.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Rain Showers Likely around Menlo Park and Mostly Cloudy then Rain Showers Likely near Sparta.
Stop Ideas Near West Caldwell
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to West Caldwell.
Pennsylvania Station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Pennsylvania Station
Metropark station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Menlo Park and Sparta. Straight-line distance: 35.99 mi (57.92 km).
#1 Menlo Park
Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States
| Population | 97,687 |
| Coordinates | 40.5651000, -74.3373700 |
| Altitude | 42 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Sparta
Township of New Jersey
| Population | 18,598 |
| Coordinates | 41.0334300, -74.6384900 |
| Altitude | 228 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sparta (-74.63849, 41.03343)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 82 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.30 | $7.69 | $15.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.88 | $8.73 | $17.47 |
| Premium | $5.18 | $9.26 | $18.53 |
| Diesel | $6.32 | $11.31 | $22.61 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in New Jersey · Oct 15, 2026