Trip from Lacey, NJ to Seaside Heights, NJ

Q: How long is the trip from Lacey, NJ to Seaside Heights, NJ?

The drive from Lacey, NJ to Seaside Heights, NJ covers 17.2 miles and takes about 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

Q: What are the main roads on this route?

The main roads are Dover Road, Route 37 East, Washington Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

Q: Is this a good same-day trip?

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Q: Where should I stop halfway?

The midpoint is about 8.6 miles from Lacey, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

Q: How much does gas cost for this trip?

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.85 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Q: What is the best time to leave?

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

Drive Time

32m

Distance

17.2 mi

28 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 8 min

4 AM

0h 30m ★

6 AM

0h 33m

8 AM

0h 38m

10 AM

0h 35m

12 PM

0h 34m

3 PM

0h 35m

5 PM

0h 38m

8 PM

0h 31m

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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Lacey, NJ

Ronin .

Seaside Heights, NJ

Aisling Kerr

Trip Overview

If you are planning a quick coastal escape, the 17.2-mile trip from Lacey to Seaside Heights is a straightforward commute. You can expect to spend about 32 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. Navigating primarily via Dover Road, Route 37 East, and Washington Street, you will find the journey efficient for a short excursion within the Northeast. Budgeting approximately $3 for fuel covers the entire trek, keeping costs minimal for your travel plans. This route is designed for those looking for a direct path between these two New Jersey locations without the need for multiple stops.

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

8.6 miles from Lacey, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 16m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. While 16 miles of the 17.2-mile journey consist of highway travel, the route transitions frequently through different road types. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during the 7.2 miles spent on Dover Road, which serves as the backbone of your trip. As you move from Lacey toward the coast, the feel of the road shifts from neighborhood-adjacent segments to the main thoroughfares of Route 37 East. It is a practical, functional drive that gets you to your destination quickly.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Dover Road is the longest continuous segment at about 7.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near CR 614 / Lacey Road.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 17.2 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.6 miles (CR 614 / Lacey Road): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles (CR 618 / Dover Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.6 miles (NJ 166 / Atlantic City Boulevard): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

0.6 mi into trip | ~3m in | CR 614 / Lacey Road

Turn left onto CR 614 / Lacey Road

Navigation decision point

1.9 mi into trip | ~5m in | CR 618 / Dover Road

Turn right onto CR 618 / Dover Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / none lanes.

9.6 mi into trip | ~17m in | NJ 166 / Atlantic City Boulevard

At end of road, turn left onto NJ 166 / Atlantic City Boulevard

Navigation decision point

15.9 mi into trip | ~28m in

Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 35 North: Seaside Heights, Point Pleasant

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward NJ 35 North: Seaside Heights, Point Plea...

17.1 mi into trip | ~32m in | CR 4 / Sheridan Avenue

Turn left onto CR 4 / Sheridan Avenue

Navigation decision point

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Lacey, NJ to Seaside Heights, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Point Pleasant along the way.

Point Pleasant

15.9 mi in | ~28m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Dover Road	7.2 mi	11m
Route 37 East	2.6 mi	4m
Washington Street	1.9 mi	3m
Thomas A. Mathis Bridge	1.6 mi	2m
Lacey Road	1.3 mi	1m
South Main Street	0.5 mi	<1m
Grant Avenue	0.4 mi	1m
Sheridan Avenue	0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: Dover Road — 7.2 mi, about 11m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lacey, NJ and Seaside Heights, NJ.

Start on this road

0.6 mi · 3 min · this road

Turn left onto CR 614

1.3 mi · 1 min · Lacey Road

Turn right onto CR 618

6.8 mi · 10 min · Dover Road

Use the left / none lanes.

Continue on CR 530

0.4 mi · 50 sec · Dover Road

Turn left onto CR 530

0.5 mi · 56 sec · South Main Street

At end of road, turn left onto NJ 166

336 ft · 7 sec · Atlantic City Boulevard

Continue on NJ 166

0.1 mi · 14 sec · North Main Street

Turn right onto Washington Street

1.9 mi · 3 min · Washington Street

Turn right onto NJ 37

2.6 mi · 4 min · Route 37 East

Continue on NJ 37

1.6 mi · 2 min · Thomas A. Mathis Bridge

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 1 min

Toward NJ 35 North: Seaside Heights, Point Pleasant

Merge onto NJ 35

0.1 mi · 10 sec · NJ 35

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec

Turn straight onto Bay Boulevard

347 ft · 13 sec · Bay Boulevard

Turn right onto CR 6

0.4 mi · 1 min · Grant Avenue

Turn left onto Ocean Terrace

514 ft · 19 sec · Ocean Terrace

Turn left onto CR 4

0.1 mi · 27 sec · Sheridan Avenue

Arrive at destination

CR 4

Trip Plan

Since this is a short, 32-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your own schedule. There are zero scheduled stops on this route, so ensure you have everything you need before pulling out of Lacey. Keep in mind that because the drive is turn-heavy, keeping a steady pace is more effective than rushing through local sections. Given the $3 fuel estimate, you can easily manage your budget without needing to worry about mid-trip refueling. Use the simplicity of the 17.2-mile distance to enjoy a stress-free transition from your starting point to the shore.

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 8.6 miles from Lacey, NJ, or about 16m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 7.2 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 17.2 miles or 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 8.6 miles or 16m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 26m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Seaside Heights, NJ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Lacey, 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 Lacey, NJ

This is one driving day of about 17.2 miles and 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lacey, 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 Dover Road for about 7.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 8.6 mi from Lacey, NJ · 16m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

9 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 17.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 8.6 miles from Lacey, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Seaside Heights, NJ

The final approach into Seaside Heights, 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 Seaside Heights, 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

$2.85 one way

$5.69 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 6 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.60	$3.11	$6.23
premium	$4.92	$3.33	$6.67
diesel	$5.64	$3.82	$7.64

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$28–$53

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	5.2	$1.81	$0.83
Efficient EV	4.3	$1.51	$0.69
EV Truck/SUV	6.9	$2.41	$1.10

Gas CO2

6 kg

EV CO2

2 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

Lacey, NJ

Evening in Lacey on Sunday

Local time

7:17 PM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Seaside Heights, NJ

Evening in Seaside Heights on Sunday

Local time

7:17 PM

EDT

Current temp

56°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

3 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

32m 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 Lacey, NJ to Seaside Heights, NJ covers 17.2 miles and takes about 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Dover Road, Route 37 East, Washington Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 8.6 miles from Lacey, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.85 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.