Trip from Elizabeth, NJ to Ship Bottom, NJ

Drive Time

1h 47m

Distance

85 mi

137 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min

4 AM

1h 39m ★

6 AM

1h 47m

8 AM

2h 3m

10 AM

1h 53m

12 PM

1h 51m

3 PM

1h 54m

5 PM

2h 2m

8 PM

1h 43m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Elizabeth, NJ

Noé Villalta Photography

Ship Bottom, NJ

yaman ozuduru

Trip Overview

If you are looking to trade the urban bustle of Elizabeth for the coastal air of Ship Bottom, this 85-mile journey is a straightforward trek across New Jersey. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 47 minutes behind the wheel, making it a highly feasible day trip that fits easily into a weekend schedule. With a total fuel cost of approximately $14, it is an economical route for a quick getaway. You will primarily utilize the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, and NJ 72 to reach the coast. Because the entire drive stays within the Northeast region, you will experience a consistent transition from suburban northern New Jersey to the shore communities. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that gets you from point A to point B without requiring an overnight stay.

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

42.5 miles from Elizabeth, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is a quintessential highway-focused drive, with 96% of your time spent on high-speed thoroughfares. You will quickly settle into a rhythm on the Garden State Parkway, which accounts for the longest stretch of your journey at 64.8 miles of uninterrupted travel. While the start of your trip involves navigating major turnpikes, the character of the road shifts once you exit onto NJ 72 to head toward the coast. The drive lacks technical local roads, favoring efficiency and speed over winding scenic detours. You should anticipate a steady, predictable pace that allows you to cover the 85-mile distance with minimal steering effort once you reach cruising speed.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 22 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 64.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and NJ 72. 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 19 significant decision points across 85 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 19 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

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

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...

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...

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

77.1 mi into trip | ~1h 34m in

Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 72 East: Long Beach Island

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward NJ 72 East: Long Beach Island

Towns Along This Route

Between Elizabeth, NJ and Ship Bottom, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp, Woodbridge, Gsp South, Perth Amboy and Pemberton.

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

Pemberton

77 mi in | ~1h 34m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Garden State Parkway	64.8 mi	1h 15m
NJ 72	7.1 mi	10m
New Jersey Turnpike	6.9 mi	7m
Exit to GSP and US Route 9	1.4 mi	2m
US 1	1.1 mi	1m
Bayway	0.8 mi	1m
Central Avenue	0.5 mi	1m
GSP Southbound entrance	0.5 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Garden State Parkway — 64.8 mi, about 1h 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Elizabeth, NJ and Ship Bottom, NJ.

Start on this road

34 ft · 7 sec · this road

Turn left onto East Jersey Street

0.2 mi · 38 sec · East Jersey Street

Turn right onto US 1; US 9

1.1 mi · 1 min · US 1; US 9

Use the none lane.

Enter roundabout onto NJ 439

0.1 mi · 18 sec · Bayway

Continue on NJ 439

0.6 mi · 1 min · Bayway

Turn right onto Brunswick Avenue

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Brunswick Avenue

Use the right lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 45 sec

Toward I 95 Toll, NJTP Toll: NJ Turnpike

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 11 sec

Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 37 sec

Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 95; NJTP

6.9 mi · 7 min · New Jersey Turnpike

Use the none lane.

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.

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.

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.

Merge onto GSP

3.0 mi · 3 min · Garden State Parkway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto GSP

0.7 mi · 49 sec · Garden State Parkway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto GSP

61 mi · 1 hr 11 min · Garden State Parkway

Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 25 sec

Exit 63 Toward NJ 72: Long Beach Island, Pemberton

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 40 sec

Toward NJ 72 East: Long Beach Island

Merge onto NJ 72

7.1 mi · 10 min · NJ 72

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto CR 89

0.5 mi · 1 min · Central Avenue

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto West 19th Street

0.1 mi · 21 sec · West 19th Street

Arrive at destination

East 19th Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the advantage of total flexibility in your departure time. However, given that this route relies heavily on the Garden State Parkway, try to avoid peak commuting hours to ensure you maintain your estimated 1 hour and 47 minute travel time. You will not need to plan for formal stops along the way, as the 85-mile distance is easily manageable in a single stint. Keep your gas budget around $14 in mind when planning your total trip expenses. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to the transition from the high-speed Parkway to the local flow of NJ 72, as traffic patterns often change significantly as you approach the coastal 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 42.5 miles from Elizabeth, NJ, or about 54m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.8 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 39m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 42.5 miles or 54m 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 28m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ship Bottom, 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 85 miles and 1h 47m.

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 64.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 42.5 mi from Elizabeth, NJ · 54m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

43 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 42.5 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 64.8 miles.

Arriving in Ship Bottom, NJ

The final approach into Ship Bottom, 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 Ship Bottom, 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

$14.07 one way

$28.13 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 30 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.60	$15.39	$30.78
premium	$4.92	$16.47	$32.94
diesel	$5.64	$18.88	$37.77

Estimated Tolls: $4.85

Garden State Parkway (64.8 mi) $3.88

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

$14

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 29.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	25.5	$8.92	$4.08
Efficient EV	21.3	$7.44	$3.40
EV Truck/SUV	34	$11.90	$5.44

Gas CO2

30 kg

EV CO2

10 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

7:22 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ship Bottom, NJ

Evening in Ship Bottom on Sunday

Local time

7:22 PM

EDT

Current temp

71°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

10 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 47m 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 Ship Bottom, NJ covers 85 miles and takes about 1h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Garden State Parkway, NJ 72, New Jersey Turnpike. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 42.5 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 $14.07 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.

Between Elizabeth, NJ and Ship Bottom, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp, Woodbridge, Gsp South, Perth Amboy and Pemberton.

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Return Trip

Ship Bottom, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ

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83.5 mi 1h 49m

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Trip from Elizabeth, NJ to Ship Bottom, NJ

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Ship Bottom, NJ

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Elizabeth, NJ

Ship Bottom, NJ

Same local time

10 degrees warmer at arrival

1h 47m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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