The drive from Jersey City, NJ to Ocean County, NJ covers 77 miles and takes about 1h 37m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike, US 1 Truck for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 53.7 miles on Garden State Parkway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.77 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.5 miles from Jersey City, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 37m. Total distance: 77 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 37m highway drive covering 77 miles, with most of the trip on Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike. The longest continuous stretch is about 53.7 miles on Garden State Parkway.
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 53.7 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 77 miles you will encounter 20 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 5.6 miles: 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 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,...
7
5.6 mi into trip|~9m in
Take the exit toward I 78 East, I 95, NJTP: New Jersey Turnpike Toll
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 I 78 East, I 95, NJTP: New Jersey Turnpi...
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...
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 Ocean County, 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
53.7 mi
1h 3m
New Jersey Turnpike
11.9 mi
14m
US 1 Truck
3 mi
5m
US 1
2.1 mi
2m
Lacey Road
1.5 mi
2m
Exit to GSP and US Route 9
1.4 mi
2m
GSP Southbound entrance
0.5 mi
1m
Duncan Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 53.7 mi, about 1h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jersey City, NJ and Ocean County, 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
50 mi·58 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·59 sec
Exit 74Toward Forked RiverUse the right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
100 ft·4 sec
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Turn left onto CR 614
1.5 mi·2 min·Lacey Road
22
Arrive at destination
CR 614
Trip Plan
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 38.5 miles from Jersey City, NJ, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.7 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 17 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.5 miles or 51m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ocean County, 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 77 miles and 1h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 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 53.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 38.5 mi from Jersey City, NJ
· 51m into the drive
The midpoint is around 38.5 miles from Jersey City, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Ocean County, NJ
The final approach into Ocean County, 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 2.7
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 13.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.77 one way
$25.53 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$13.98
$27.96
premium
$4.93
$14.93
$29.87
diesel
$5.61
$17.00
$34.00
Estimated Tolls: $4.89
Garden State Parkway
(53.7 mi)$3.22
New Jersey Turnpike
(11.9 mi)$1.67
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
$13
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.1
0
$8.08
$3.70
Efficient EV
19.3
0
$6.74
$3.08
EV Truck/SUV
30.8
0
$10.78
$4.93
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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 as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Jersey City, NJ
Evening
in Jersey City on Friday
Local time
6:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ocean County, NJ
Evening
in Ocean County on Friday
Local time
6:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°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
21 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 37m 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 Ocean County, NJ covers 77 miles and takes about 1h 37m 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 38.5 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 $12.77 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 77 miles you will encounter 20 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 5.6 miles: 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.
Between Jersey City, NJ and Ocean County, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike Toll, Njtp South: Trenton, Gsp, Woodbridge, Gsp South and Perth Amboy.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
