Origin
Jersey City, NJ
Evening in Jersey City on Sunday
Local time
7:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountDrive Time
3h 2m
Distance
148.9 mi
240 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
If you are looking to escape Jersey City for the coast, this 148.9-mile trip to North Wildwood is a straightforward, highway-focused journey. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 2 minutes behind the wheel, making it a perfectly manageable day trip. You will spend roughly $25 on fuel, keeping the excursion budget-friendly for a quick weekend getaway. The route primarily utilizes the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, and North Wildwood Boulevard to navigate south through the Northeast. Whether you need a day to recharge or a full weekend, this drive provides a direct link between the urban density of the north and the shore atmosphere of the south.
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
74.5 miles from Jersey City, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
Expect a high-speed commute, as 95% of this journey is spent on major highways. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 122.4 miles on the Garden State Parkway. While the initial leg involves the New Jersey Turnpike, the drive transitions into the Parkway, which serves as the backbone of your travel. Because the route is so highway-intensive, you should prepare for a consistent, steady pace rather than technical twists or turns. The experience is largely functional, moving you efficiently from your starting point to the coastal destination.
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.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 148.9 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 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
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
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
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
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
Between Jersey City, NJ and North Wildwood, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp, Woodbridge, Gsp South and Perth Amboy.
Gsp
Woodbridge
Gsp South
Perth Amboy
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 122.4 mi | 2h 22m |
| New Jersey Turnpike | 11.9 mi | 14m |
| North Wildwood Boulevard | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| US 1 Truck | 3 mi | 5m |
| US 1 | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Exit to GSP and US Route 9 | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| West Spruce Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| GSP Southbound entrance | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Jersey City, NJ and North Wildwood, NJ.
Start on Olean Avenue
Turn right onto Duncan Avenue
Turn left onto US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
Take the exit onto US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
Take the exit onto US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
Merge onto US 1; US 9
Take the exit
Merge onto I 78
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95/NJTP North Tolls
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit onto Exit 11
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP Southbound entrance
Merge onto GSP
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
Take the exit
Turn right onto NJ 147
Continue on NJ 147; OD
Continue on NJ 147; OD
Continue on CR 621; OD
Turn left onto East 12th Avenue
Arrive at destination
To make the most of your 3-hour journey, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and break up the monotony of the long highway stretches. Given the heavy reliance on the Garden State Parkway, try to avoid peak commuter hours to ensure you maintain your estimated travel time. Since you are only budgeting $25 for fuel, it is wise to fuel up before you hit the main arteries to avoid higher prices often found at service plazas. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart early in the morning and maximize your time once you arrive in North Wildwood. Keep a close eye on your navigation as you transition onto North Wildwood Boulevard, as this final stretch marks the shift from high-speed highway travel to your destination.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 74.5 miles or 1h 33m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Wildwood, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Jersey City, 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 Jersey City, NJ
This is one driving day of about 148.9 miles and 3h 2m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 74.5 mi from Jersey City, NJ · 1h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
74 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 74.5 miles from Jersey City, 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 122.4 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$24.64 one way
$49.28 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $26.96 | $53.92 |
| premium | $4.92 | $28.85 | $57.71 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $33.08 | $66.16 |
Estimated Tolls: $9.01
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
$25
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.7 | 0 | $15.63 | $7.15 |
| Efficient EV | 37.2 | 0 | $13.03 | $5.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 59.6 | 0 | $20.85 | $9.53 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Jersey City on Sunday
Local time
7:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in North Wildwood on Sunday
Local time
7:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Jersey City, NJ or browse trips ending in North Wildwood, NJ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NJ road trips.
Explore maps for Jersey City, NJ or North Wildwood, NJ on MapSof.net.