This 70.2-mile drive from Jersey City to Maple Shade, New Jersey, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Designed as a single-day excursion, you won't need to worry about overnight stays. The route is heavily focused on highway travel, with 93% of the journey on major roads, making it efficient for getting from point A to point B. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, it's an economical option for a quick getaway within the Northeast region. This drive offers a practical way to cover ground without extensive planning, perfect for when you need to get somewhere efficiently within the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.1 miles from Jersey City, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 47m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 30m. Total distance: 70.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for this 70.2-mile trip, as 93% of your drive will be on major roadways. You'll primarily navigate the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike, with a short section on US 1 Truck. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 46.7 miles on the Garden State Parkway, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your journey. This route is designed for efficiency, minimizing time spent on slower local roads and maximizing your time on high-speed corridors. It's a route built for covering distance smoothly.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 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 46.7 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 0.9 miles in near US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70.2 miles you will encounter 22 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 0.9 miles (US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.4 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.9 mi into trip|~1m in|US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
Take the exit onto US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck toward US 1 South, US 9 South: Newark Airport, Port Newark Elizabeth Seaport
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.
Toward US 1 South, US 9 South: Newark Airport,...
8
6.3 mi into trip|~10m 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
19.4 mi into trip|~27m 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
20.8 mi into trip|~29m 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...
8
68.2 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward NJ 37 East: Seaside Heights, Island Beach State Park
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 82
Toward NJ 37 East: Seaside Heights, Island Beac...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Jersey City, NJ and Maple Shade, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike Toll, Njtp South: Trenton, Gsp, Woodbridge, Gsp South and Perth Amboy.
Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike Toll
5.6 mi in|~9m
Njtp South: Trenton
6.3 mi in|~10m
Gsp
19.4 mi in|~27m|via Exit 11
Woodbridge
19.4 mi in|~27m|via Exit 11
Gsp South
20.8 mi in|~29m
Perth Amboy
20.8 mi in|~29m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
46.7 mi
54m
New Jersey Turnpike
11.9 mi
14m
US 1 Truck
3 mi
5m
US 1
2.1 mi
2m
Exit to GSP and US Route 9
1.4 mi
2m
Lakewood Road
1.1 mi
2m
GSP Southbound entrance
0.5 mi
1m
Duncan Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 46.7 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jersey City, NJ and Maple Shade, NJ.
1
Start on Olean Avenue
316 ft·15 sec·Olean Avenue
2
Turn right onto Duncan Avenue
0.4 mi·53 sec·Duncan Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
0.4 mi·44 sec·US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
Use the left lane.
4
Take the exit onto US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
1.9 mi·3 min·US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
Toward US 1 South, US 9 South: Newark Airport, Port Newark Elizabeth SeaportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit onto US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
0.7 mi·1 min·US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
Toward US 1 Truck South, US 9 Truck South: Port Newark, Newark Airport
6
Merge onto US 1; US 9
2.1 mi·2 min·US 1; US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 78 East, I 95, NJTP: New Jersey Turnpike TollUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 78
47 ft·0 sec·I 95/NJTP North Tolls
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95/NJTP North Tolls
0.1 mi·7 sec·I 95/NJTP North Tolls
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: TrentonUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·49 sec
12
Merge onto I 95
12 mi·14 min·New Jersey Turnpike
13
Take the exit onto Exit 11
1.4 mi·2 min·Exit to GSP and US Route 9
Exit 11Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, WoodbridgeUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge, Perth AmboyUse the slight left lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP Southbound entrance
0.5 mi·1 min·GSP Southbound entrance
Toward GSP South: Garden State ParkwayUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto GSP
3.0 mi·3 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi·49 sec·Garden State Parkway
18
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
43 mi·50 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·48 sec
Exit 82Toward NJ 37 East: Seaside Heights, Island Beach State ParkUse the right lane.
20
Merge onto NJ 37
0.3 mi·32 sec·Route 37 West
21
Continue on NJ 37
116 ft·4 sec·Route 37 East
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.1 mi·34 sec
Toward NJ 166 North: LakewoodUse the right lane.
23
Continue on NJ 166
1.1 mi·2 min·Lakewood Road
24
Turn right onto Suburban Drive
353 ft·17 sec·Suburban Drive
25
Turn left onto Rivercrest Drive
364 ft·12 sec·Rivercrest Drive
26
Arrive at destination
Rivercrest Drive
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 30-minute duration for this 70.2-mile trip, you have a lot of flexibility in when you depart. Consider leaving early in the morning to avoid any potential traffic, especially if you're traveling on a weekday. The route's highway-intensive nature means you won't need many stops, but it's always wise to plan for at least one brief break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $12, and while it's a short distance, it's best to start with a full tank. A specific tip for this drive: be aware that the Garden State Parkway has different tolling systems depending on the direction and section, 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 35.1 miles from Jersey City, NJ, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.7 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 15 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.1 miles or 47m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Maple Shade, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Jersey City, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Jersey City, NJ
This is one driving day of about 70.2 miles and 1h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Jersey City, 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 46.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 35.1 mi from Jersey City, NJ
· 47m into the drive
The midpoint is around 35.1 miles from Jersey City, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Maple Shade, NJ
The final approach into Maple Shade, NJ usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Thomas Edison National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 2.4
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...
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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 12.1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.1
0
$7.37
$3.37
Efficient EV
17.6
0
$6.14
$2.81
EV Truck/SUV
28.1
0
$9.83
$4.49
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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
Jersey City, NJ
Evening
in Jersey City on Thursday
Local time
7:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Maple Shade, NJ
Evening
in Maple Shade on Thursday
Local time
7:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°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
4 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
1h 30m 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 Jersey City, NJ to Maple Shade, NJ covers 70.2 miles and takes about 1h 30m 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, US 1 Truck. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35.1 miles from Jersey City, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.64 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 70.2 miles you will encounter 22 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 0.9 miles (US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.4 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.
Between Jersey City, NJ and Maple Shade, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike Toll, Njtp South: Trenton, Gsp, Woodbridge, Gsp South and Perth Amboy.
