Origin
Elizabeth, NJ
Evening in Elizabeth on Sunday
Local time
8:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Elizabeth, NJ to Margate City, NJ
Drive Time
2h 17m
Distance
111.6 mi
180 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 8m
★
6 AM
2h 17m
8 AM
2h 37m
10 AM
2h 24m
12 PM
2h 22m
3 PM
2h 25m
5 PM
2h 36m
8 PM
2h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elizabeth, NJ
Noé Villalta Photography
Margate City, NJ
Malcolm Garret
Trip Overview
Traveling from Elizabeth to Margate City is a straightforward 111.6-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 17 minutes. Because the route is compact and efficient, it works perfectly as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach the coast without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway before finishing on local roads like Tilton Road. With an estimated fuel cost of approximately $18, this is an affordable excursion for those looking to escape the Northeast corridor for the day. While the drive is simple, keeping your departure time flexible will help you manage the flow of traffic along these major arteries.
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
55.8 miles from Elizabeth, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 92% of your trip is spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a long, steady rhythm during your 92.9-mile stretch on the Garden State Parkway, which serves as the backbone of your commute. The personality of this drive is functional and direct, trading complex scenery for consistent interstate travel. As you approach the final leg of the trip, the character shifts from the fast-paced flow of the Parkway to the more localized transition of Tilton Road. You should anticipate a predictable, albeit busy, drive that prioritizes speed and efficiency over winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 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 92.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 111.6 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 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.1 miles (Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
2.6 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
8
10.1 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9
Take the exit onto Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9 toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge
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 11
Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbri...
8
11.5 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Pa...
7
11.8 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
GSP Southbound entrance
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP Southbound entrance toward GSP South: Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward GSP South: Garden State Parkway
8
105.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m in
Take the exit toward CR 563: Northfield, Margate City
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 36
Toward CR 563: Northfield, Margate City
Towns Along This Route
Between Elizabeth, NJ and Margate City, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp, Woodbridge, Gsp South, Perth Amboy and Cr 563: Northfield.
Gsp
10.1 mi in
|
~14m
|
via Exit 11
Woodbridge
10.1 mi in
|
~14m
|
via Exit 11
Gsp South
11.5 mi in
|
~16m
Perth Amboy
11.5 mi in
|
~16m
Cr 563: Northfield
105.2 mi in
|
~2h 6m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 92.9 mi | 1h 48m |
| New Jersey Turnpike | 6.9 mi | 7m |
| Tilton Road | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Downbeach Express | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Exit to GSP and US Route 9 | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| US 1 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| North Jerome Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Bayway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 92.9 mi, about 1h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabeth, NJ and Margate City, NJ.
1
Start on this road
34 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto East Jersey Street
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
East Jersey Street
3
Turn right onto US 1; US 9
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
US 1; US 9
Use the none lane.
4
Enter roundabout onto NJ 439
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Bayway
5
Continue on NJ 439
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Bayway
6
Turn right onto Brunswick Avenue
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Brunswick Avenue
Use the right lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 95 Toll, NJTP Toll: NJ Turnpike
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
Use the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
6.9 mi
·
7 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
Use the none lane.
11
Take the exit onto Exit 11
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Exit to GSP and US Route 9
Exit 11
Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy
Use the slight left lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP Southbound entrance
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
GSP Southbound entrance
Toward GSP South: Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto GSP
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the none lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
89 mi
·
1 hr 43 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 36
Toward CR 563: Northfield, Margate City
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn straight onto CR 563
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Tilton Road
Use the none lane.
19
Continue on CR 563
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
East Mill Road
20
Continue on CR 563
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
Margate Boulevard
21
Continue on CR 563
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Downbeach Express
22
Continue on CR 563
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Jerome Avenue
Use the none lane.
23
At end of road, turn left onto CR 629; OD
10 ft
·
0 sec
·
Ventnor Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Arrive at destination
CR 629; OD
Trip Plan
To ensure a smooth arrival in Margate City, try to avoid peak commuting hours when the Garden State Parkway experiences heavy volume. Since the entire 111.6-mile route is designed to be completed in one go, you won't need to worry about planning overnight stops or long rest breaks. Keep your $18 fuel budget in mind, but remember to factor in potential tolls, which are common on these specific New Jersey highways. A helpful tip for this route is to monitor real-time traffic reports before you leave Elizabeth, as even a minor delay on the Parkway can impact your 2-hour and 17-minute travel estimate. Staying alert during the long highway stretches will keep you focused until you reach your destination.
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 55.8 miles from Elizabeth, NJ, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.9 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 80 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.8 miles or 1h 9m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Margate City, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Elizabeth, 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 Elizabeth, NJ
This is one driving day of about 111.6 miles and 2h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Elizabeth, 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 92.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 55.8 mi from Elizabeth, NJ · 1h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
56 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 55.8 miles from Elizabeth, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Garden State Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 92.9 miles.
Arriving in Margate City, NJ
The final approach into Margate City, 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 Margate City, 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
$18.47 one way
$36.93 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $20.21 | $40.41 |
| premium | $4.92 | $21.63 | $43.25 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $24.79 | $49.59 |
Estimated Tolls: $6.54
Garden State Parkway
(92.9 mi)
$5.57
New Jersey Turnpike
(6.9 mi)
$0.97
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
$18
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.5 | 0 | $11.72 | $5.36 |
| Efficient EV | 27.9 | 0 | $9.76 | $4.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44.6 | 0 | $15.62 | $7.14 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Destination
Margate City, NJ
Evening in Margate City on Sunday
Local time
8:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°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
8 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
2h 17m 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 Elizabeth, NJ to Margate City, NJ covers 111.6 miles and takes about 2h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike, Tilton Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 55.8 miles from Elizabeth, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.47 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 17 significant decision points across 111.6 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 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.1 miles (Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Elizabeth, NJ and Margate City, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp, Woodbridge, Gsp South, Perth Amboy and Cr 563: Northfield.
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