Embarking on a journey from Cape May, NJ, to Lakewood, NJ, covers 94.3 miles and is estimated to take about 1 hour and 57 minutes. This drive is primarily focused on highway travel, with 89% of the route utilizing major roadways, making it a convenient option for a single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $16, this route offers an economical way to travel within New Jersey. The drive is characterized by its efficient, highway-centric profile, allowing you to cover the distance with ease. Given its duration and distance, it's perfectly suited for a day trip without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.2 miles from Cape May, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 57m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 57m. Total distance: 94.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, designed for getting you to your destination efficiently. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Garden State Parkway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 83.3 miles. The main roads guiding your way include the Garden State Parkway, Lakewood Road, and River Avenue, indicating a transition from high-speed parkway driving to more localized roads as you approach Lakewood. The 89% highway share means you'll encounter a consistent driving pace for most of the trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 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 83.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Lakewood Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near Washington Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 94.3 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (NJ 109; OD / Washington Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.5 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.8 mi into trip|~3m in|Washington Street
Turn right onto Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
1 mi into trip|~3m in|NJ 109; OD / Washington Street
Keep slight right at fork onto NJ 109; OD / Washington Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
55.5 mi into trip|~1h 7m 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 straight lane.
8
85.7 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|US 9
Take the exit onto US 9 toward US 9 North, CR 571, NJ 166: Lakewood
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 83
Toward US 9 North, CR 571, NJ 166: Lakewood
7
86.1 mi into trip|~1h 43m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Toms River
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward Toms River
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cape May, NJ and Lakewood, NJ, road signs point toward Cr 571 and Toms River.
Cr 571
85.7 mi in|~1h 42m|via US 9
Toms River
86.1 mi in|~1h 43m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
83.3 mi
1h 36m
Lakewood Road
4.3 mi
6m
River Avenue
2.6 mi
4m
Lafayette Street
1 mi
1m
Madison Avenue
0.9 mi
1m
Reading Avenue
0.7 mi
2m
US 9
0.4 mi
<1m
Lomell Lane
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 83.3 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cape May, NJ and Lakewood, NJ.
1
Start on this road
82 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto New York Avenue
104 ft·6 sec·New York Avenue
3
Turn right onto Reading Avenue
0.7 mi·2 min·Reading Avenue
4
Turn right onto Massachusetts Avenue
324 ft·19 sec·Massachusetts Avenue
5
Turn left onto East Street
302 ft·15 sec·East Street
6
Turn right onto Washington Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·Washington Street
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto NJ 109; OD
102 ft·2 sec·Washington Street
Use the right lane.
8
Turn straight onto NJ 109; OD
1.0 mi·1 min·Lafayette Street
9
Turn straight onto GSP
19 mi·22 min·Garden State Parkway
Toward GSP North: Garden State Parkway NorthUse the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·31 sec
11
Merge onto GSP
34 mi·39 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
30 mi·35 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit onto US 9
0.4 mi·34 sec·US 9
Exit 83Toward US 9 North, CR 571, NJ 166: LakewoodUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·12 sec
Toward Toms RiverUse the straight lane.
15
Turn straight onto Lomell Lane
0.2 mi·30 sec·Lomell Lane
16
Turn right onto NJ 166
4.3 mi·6 min·Lakewood Road
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 9
2.6 mi·4 min·River Avenue
18
Continue on US 9
0.9 mi·1 min·Madison Avenue
19
Turn right onto 8th Street
46 ft·2 sec·8th Street
20
Arrive at destination
8th Street
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 57-minute drive, aiming for an early morning departure can help you avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach your destination. Since the route is relatively short and highway-focused, you may not need extensive stops, but it's always wise to take a break if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, with an estimated cost of $16 for the 94.3 miles. A practical tip for this specific route is to be aware of potential toll sections on the Garden State Parkway, so have your payment method ready.
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 47.2 miles from Cape May, NJ, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.3 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 21 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.2 miles or 57m 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 32m
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 Cape May, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cape May, NJ
This is one driving day of about 94.3 miles and 1h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Cape May, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 83.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 47.2 mi from Cape May, NJ
· 57m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.63 one way
$31.27 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$17.12
$34.25
premium
$4.93
$18.29
$36.58
diesel
$5.61
$20.82
$41.64
Estimated Tolls: $5.00
Garden State Parkway
(83.3 mi)$5.00
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
$16
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.3
0
$9.90
$4.53
Efficient EV
23.6
0
$8.25
$3.77
EV Truck/SUV
37.7
0
$13.20
$6.04
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Cape May, NJ
Morning
in Cape May on Saturday
Local time
7:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lakewood, NJ
Morning
in Lakewood on Saturday
Local time
7:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Bass River, NJ
47 mi in
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
20 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 57m 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 Cape May, NJ to Lakewood, NJ covers 94.3 miles and takes about 1h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, Lakewood Road, River 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 47.2 miles from Cape May, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.63 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 94.3 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (NJ 109; OD / Washington Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.5 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Cape May, NJ and Lakewood, NJ, road signs point toward Cr 571 and Toms River.
