Trip from Elizabeth, NJ to North Wildwood, NJ

Drive Time

2h 49m

Distance

139.7 mi

225 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 38m ★
6 AM
2h 49m
8 AM
3h 11m
10 AM
2h 57m
12 PM
2h 55m
3 PM
2h 58m
5 PM
3h 10m
8 PM
2h 43m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Elizabeth, NJ, NJ

Elizabeth, NJ

Noé Villalta Photography

Trip Overview

Driving from Elizabeth to North Wildwood is a straightforward 139.7-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 49 minutes. Because the route is highly efficient, it serves perfectly as a simple day trip, though staying overnight allows for a more relaxed pace upon arrival. You will primarily navigate via the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway before finishing on North Wildwood Boulevard. Budgeting approximately $23 for fuel should cover your travel expenses for this one-way trip. Since both cities are located within the Northeast region, you will experience a consistent coastal climate throughout the drive. It is an ideal route for those prioritizing speed and accessibility over winding backroads.

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

69.8 miles from Elizabeth, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 94% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will face a long, sustained stretch of 122.4 miles on the Garden State Parkway, which defines the bulk of your time behind the wheel. Expect a consistent, fast-paced rhythm as you transition from the urban density of Northern New Jersey toward the coast. The road personality is functional and efficient, designed to move traffic quickly across the state. While the initial portion involves navigating turnpike interchanges, the experience settles into a predictable interstate cruise that requires steady focus rather than technical maneuvering.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 122.4 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 16 significant decision points across 139.7 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 16 key points

These 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
134.7 mi into trip | ~2h 40m in

Take the exit toward NJ 147: North Wildwood, Whitesboro

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 6 Toward NJ 147: North Wildwood, Whitesboro

Towns Along This Route

Between Elizabeth, NJ and North Wildwood, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp, Woodbridge, Gsp South and Perth Amboy.

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

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Garden State Parkway 122.4 mi 2h 22m
New Jersey Turnpike 6.9 mi 7m
North Wildwood Boulevard 3.3 mi 5m
Exit to GSP and US Route 9 1.4 mi 2m
US 1 1.1 mi 1m
Bayway 0.8 mi 1m
West Spruce Avenue 0.5 mi <1m
GSP Southbound entrance 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Garden State Parkway — 122.4 mi, about 2h 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Elizabeth, NJ and North Wildwood, 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

119 mi · 2 hr 17 min · Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 6 Toward NJ 147: North Wildwood, Whitesboro Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Turn right onto NJ 147

3.3 mi · 5 min · North Wildwood Boulevard
19

Continue on NJ 147; OD

0.5 mi · 50 sec · West Spruce Avenue
20

Continue on NJ 147; OD

0.3 mi · 36 sec · West Anglesea Drive
21

Continue on CR 621; OD

0.5 mi · 48 sec · New Jersey Avenue
22

Turn left onto East 12th Avenue

0.1 mi · 28 sec · East 12th Avenue
23

Arrive at destination

East 12th Avenue

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 2-hour and 49-minute drive, plan for at least one strategic stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since you are spending nearly the entire trip on highways, try to depart during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the Garden State Parkway. Keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is simple with the $23 estimated cost, but filling up before hitting the final stretch on North Wildwood Boulevard can save you time upon arrival. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure to suit your personal schedule. Consider bringing along audio entertainment to stay engaged during the lengthy 122.4-mile parkway segment.

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 69.8 miles from Elizabeth, NJ, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 122.4 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 69.8 miles or 1h 25m 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 17m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Wildwood, 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 139.7 miles and 2h 49m.

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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 122.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 69.8 mi from Elizabeth, NJ · 1h 25m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

70 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

Staten Island, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 69.8 miles from Elizabeth, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Garden State Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 122.4 miles.

Arriving in North Wildwood, NJ

The final approach into North Wildwood, 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 North Wildwood, NJ.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.12 one way

$46.23 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 49 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $25.29 $50.59
premium $4.92 $27.07 $54.14
diesel $5.64 $31.04 $62.07

Estimated Tolls: $8.31

Garden State Parkway (122.4 mi) $7.34
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

$23

Tolls

$8

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$56–$81

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 48.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 41.9 0 $14.67 $6.71
Efficient EV 34.9 0 $12.22 $5.59
EV Truck/SUV 55.9 0 $19.56 $8.94

Gas CO2

49 kg

EV CO2

16 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Elizabeth, NJ

Evening in Elizabeth on Sunday

Local time

7:12 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

North Wildwood, NJ

Evening in North Wildwood on Sunday

Local time

7:12 PM

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

6 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 49m 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 North Wildwood, NJ covers 139.7 miles and takes about 2h 49m 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, North Wildwood Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 69.8 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 $23.12 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 16 significant decision points across 139.7 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 North Wildwood, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp, Woodbridge, Gsp South and Perth Amboy.

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Return Trip

North Wildwood, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ

Plan the drive back the other way.

138.2 mi 2h 51m

Explore more options from Elizabeth, NJ or browse trips ending in North Wildwood, NJ.

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