The drive from Edison, NJ to Avalon, NJ covers 125 miles and takes about 2h 32m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Garden State Parkway, Avalon Boulevard, I 287 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 113.9 miles on Garden State Parkway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.72 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
62.5 miles from Edison, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 17m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 32m. Total distance: 125 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 32m highway drive covering 125 miles, with most of the trip on Garden State Parkway and Avalon Boulevard. The longest continuous stretch is about 113.9 miles on Garden State Parkway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 113.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Avalon Boulevard. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in near I 287.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 125 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 2.7 miles (I 287): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.7 mi into trip|~6m in|I 287
Merge onto I 287
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
6.5 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the exit toward GSP South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward GSP South
6
9.4 mi into trip|~15m 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
120.8 mi into trip|~2h 24m in|GSP SB Exit 13
Take the exit onto GSP SB Exit 13 toward Swainton, Avalon
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 13
Toward Swainton, Avalon
6
121 mi into trip|~2h 25m in|CR 601 / Avalon Boulevard
Turn left onto CR 601 / Avalon Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Edison, NJ to Avalon, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Gsp South along the way.
Gsp South
6.5 mi in|~11m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
113.9 mi
2h 12m
Avalon Boulevard
3.4 mi
5m
I 287
2 mi
2m
Lincoln Highway
1.9 mi
3m
NJ 440
1.8 mi
2m
Plainfield Avenue
0.4 mi
1m
Ocean Drive
0.4 mi
<1m
GSP SB Exit 13
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 113.9 mi, about 2h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Edison, NJ and Avalon, NJ.
1
Start on this road
175 ft·12 sec·this road
2
Continue on Reed Street
348 ft·20 sec·Reed Street
3
Turn left onto Central Avenue
345 ft·18 sec·Central Avenue
4
Turn right onto CR 529
0.4 mi·1 min·Plainfield Avenue
5
Turn left onto NJ 27
1.9 mi·3 min·Lincoln Highway
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward I 287 South, NJTP, GSP
7
Merge onto I 287
2.0 mi·2 min·I 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on NJ 440
1.8 mi·2 min·NJ 440
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward GSP SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto GSP
1.7 mi·2 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi·49 sec·Garden State Parkway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
111 mi·2 hr 9 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto GSP SB Exit 13
0.2 mi·30 sec·GSP SB Exit 13
Exit 13Toward Swainton, AvalonUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn left onto CR 601
3.4 mi·5 min·Avalon Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn left onto CR 619; OD
0.4 mi·39 sec·Ocean Drive
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto West 22nd Street
0.1 mi·30 sec·West 22nd Street
17
Turn left onto Dune Drive
332 ft·16 sec·Dune Drive
18
Turn right onto West 21st Street
98 ft·4 sec·West 21st Street
19
Arrive at destination
West 21st Street
Trip Plan
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 62.5 miles from Edison, NJ, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.9 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 28 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.5 miles or 1h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Avalon, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Edison, 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 Edison, NJ
This is one driving day of about 125 miles and 2h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Edison, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 113.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 62.5 mi from Edison, NJ
· 1h 17m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Gateway National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 21.6
Park Closure: Dead Horse Bay (Brooklyn) Remains Closed to the Public
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...
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...
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...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 4.3
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.5
0
$13.13
$6.00
Efficient EV
31.3
0
$10.94
$5.00
EV Truck/SUV
50
0
$17.50
$8.00
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Edison, NJ
Late night
in Edison on Saturday
Local time
5:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Avalon, NJ
Late night
in Avalon on Saturday
Local time
5:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°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
16 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
2h 32m 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 Edison, NJ to Avalon, NJ covers 125 miles and takes about 2h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, Avalon Boulevard, I 287. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 62.5 miles from Edison, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.72 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 125 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 2.7 miles (I 287): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Edison, NJ to Avalon, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Gsp South along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
