U.S. Route 1 in New Jersey
U.S. Route 1 (US 1) is a major north-south artery that parallels the East Coast of the United States, stretching from Key West, Florida, to Fort Kent, Maine. Within the state of New Jersey, US 1 covers 66.06 miles (106.31 km), serving as a critical link between the Pennsylvania border and the New York state line. From the urban corridors of Trenton to the bustling approach of the George Washington Bridge, the route evolves from a high-speed freeway into a suburban arterial and eventually a combined concurrency with US 9.
Key Facts
- Total Length in NJ: 66.06 miles (106.31 km).
- Major Maintenance: Managed by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission (DRJTBC), and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ).
- Key Concurrency: Merges with US 9 in Woodbridge to become US 1/9.
- Major Restriction: Trucks are prohibited from using the Pulaski Skyway.
- Termini: Enters NJ via the Trenton–Morrisville Toll Bridge and exits via the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee.
Route Description and Geography
Mercer County
US 1 enters New Jersey from Pennsylvania via the Trenton–Morrisville Toll Bridge. Upon entry, it becomes the Trenton Freeway, a controlled-access highway. In downtown Trenton, the route runs adjacent to Amtrak's Northeast Corridor railroad line and provides access to the New Jersey State House via Warren Street. Key interchanges in this section include Route 29, Route 129, and Route 33 near the Trenton Transit Center.
Beyond the city center, the road transitions into the Herbert Highway, a four-lane arterial road characterized by the use of jughandles (specialized turn-off lanes used to facilitate left turns without crossing oncoming traffic). As it moves northeast, it intersects with County Route 546 and I-295. The road widens to six lanes near the Quaker Bridge Mall and continues through West Windsor, passing the MarketFair shopping mall and the Penns Neck Circle.
Middlesex County
In Middlesex County, US 1 maintains a six-lane profile and intersects with Route 91 and Route 26. It reaches a significant junction at the northern terminus of US 130 and the southern terminus of Route 171. After passing the Rutgers University college farm and crossing the Raritan River via the Donald and Morris Goodkind Bridges, the route enters Edison.
Through Edison and Woodbridge Township, the road is lined with suburban businesses and corporate parks. It features interchanges with I-287 and the Garden State Parkway. The route eventually reaches Woodbridge, where it merges with US 9.
The US 1/9 Concurrency
From Woodbridge northward, the road is designated as US 1/9. This combined route passes through Rahway and Linden, interchanging with I-278. In Elizabeth, the road becomes a freeway as it skirts the west end of Newark Liberty International Airport, meeting I-78, US 22, and Route 21 at the Newark Airport Interchange.
The route then traverses the Pulaski Skyway, ending at the Tonnele Circle. From there, it follows Tonnelle Avenue through North Bergen and joins US 46 in Palisades Park. The journey concludes in Fort Lee, where US 1/9 joins I-95 to cross the George Washington Bridge into Manhattan, New York City.
Historical Evolution
The foundations of US 1 date back to 1803 with the chartering of the Trenton and New Brunswick Turnpike. This early road struggled against competition from the D&R Canal and the Camden and Amboy Railroad before becoming a public road in 1903. In 1913, the Lincoln Highway—the first transcontinental highway in the U.S.—was created, connecting New York City to San Francisco and utilizing portions of what would become US 1.
The modern designation of US 1 was established in 1926. Over the following decades, the route underwent several realignments. The Pulaski Skyway, opened in 1932, was hailed as the first "superhighway" in the U.S. and led to the rerouting of US 1 and US 9. In 1953, the state removed concurrent state highway designations, and the Trenton Freeway was integrated into the main US 1 routing.
Route Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Distance | 66.06 miles |
| Counties Traversed | Mercer, Middlesex, Union, Essex, Hudson, Bergen |
| Key Bridges | Trenton–Morrisville Toll Bridge, Donald and Morris Goodkind Bridges, George Washington Bridge |
| Major Concurrencies | US 9 (Woodbridge to Fort Lee), US 46 (Palisades Park to Fort Lee) |
| Notable Spurs | US 1 Business (Trenton), US 1/9 Truck (Jersey City) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are trucks banned from the Pulaski Skyway?
The Pulaski Skyway has specific structural and safety restrictions that prohibit truck traffic, necessitating the creation of the US 1/9 Truck bypass in Jersey City.
What is the difference between US 1 and US 1/9?
US 1 is the primary route from Pennsylvania to Woodbridge. In Woodbridge, it merges with US 9, and the combined road is designated as US 1/9 until it reaches the George Washington Bridge.
What was the Lincoln Highway?
The Lincoln Highway was the first transcontinental highway in the United States, established in 1913 to link New York City and San Francisco; much of its original New Jersey path was later absorbed by US 1 and Route 27.
Is US 1 considered a dangerous road for pedestrians?
Yes, in 2013, it was ranked as one of the top three most dangerous roads for pedestrians in the Tri-State area due to a high number of pedestrian fatalities between 2009 and 2011.
What is the Trenton Freeway?
The Trenton Freeway is the controlled-access segment of US 1 that runs through the state capital, designed to bypass city streets and connect the route to the Trenton–Morrisville Toll Bridge.