Origin
Middletown, NJ
Evening in Middletown on Sunday
Local time
8:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Middletown, NJ to Margate City, NJ
Drive Time
1h 47m
Distance
86.3 mi
139 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 40m
★
6 AM
1h 47m
8 AM
2h 3m
10 AM
1h 53m
12 PM
1h 51m
3 PM
1h 54m
5 PM
2h 3m
8 PM
1h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Middletown, NJ
Alexa V. Mato
Margate City, NJ
Malcolm Garret
Trip Overview
Traveling from Middletown to Margate City is a straightforward 86.3-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 47 minutes. Because this trip is short and primarily highway-focused, it serves as an ideal day trip rather than requiring an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $14 on fuel, making it an affordable excursion within New Jersey. The route primarily utilizes the Garden State Parkway to bridge the distance between these two Northeast locations. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that allows you to reach the coast efficiently. Whether you are heading out for a quick change of scenery or a brief getaway, this route keeps the logistics simple and the travel time minimal.
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
43.2 miles from Middletown, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a drive dominated by highway travel, as 85% of your time will be spent on major roads. The core of your journey features a long, uninterrupted 73.8-mile stretch on the Garden State Parkway, which allows for consistent cruising. You will begin your departure using Middletown Lincroft Road before transitioning onto the Parkway for the bulk of the trip. As you approach your destination, the route shifts to Tilton Road to guide you into Margate City. This is largely a high-speed, interstate-focused experience rather than a winding backroads tour, so prepare for a steady pace behind the wheel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 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 73.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Middletown Lincroft Road. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR 50 / Church Street.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Middletown, NJ to Margate City, NJ is easy. At 1h 47m with 85% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR 50 / Church Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.7 miles (CR 520 / Newman Springs Road): Navigation decision point; at 6.1 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CR 50 / Church Street
Turn left onto CR 50 / Church Street
Navigation decision point
3
4.7 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
CR 520 / Newman Springs Road
Turn left onto CR 520 / Newman Springs Road
Navigation decision point
5
6.1 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
79.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
Take the exit toward CR 563: Northfield, Margate City
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 36
Toward CR 563: Northfield, Margate City
6
86.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m in
|
CR 629; OD / Ventnor Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto CR 629; OD / Ventnor Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Along This Route
Between Middletown, NJ and Margate City, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp Toll South and Cr 563: Northfield.
Gsp Toll South
5.8 mi in
|
~10m
Cr 563: Northfield
79.9 mi in
|
~1h 36m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 73.8 mi | 1h 25m |
| Middletown Lincroft Road | 4.4 mi | 7m |
| Tilton Road | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Downbeach Express | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Newman Springs Road | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| North Jerome Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Margate Boulevard | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| East Mill Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 73.8 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Middletown, NJ and Margate City, NJ.
1
Start on CR 50
35 ft
·
7 sec
·
Kings Highway
2
Turn left onto CR 50
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Church Street
3
Continue on CR 50
4.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Middletown Lincroft Road
4
Turn left onto CR 520
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Newman Springs Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward GSP Toll South
6
Merge onto GSP
74 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 36
Toward CR 563: Northfield, Margate City
Use the slight right lane.
8
Turn straight onto CR 563
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Tilton Road
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on CR 563
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
East Mill Road
10
Continue on CR 563
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
Margate Boulevard
11
Continue on CR 563
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Downbeach Express
12
Continue on CR 563
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Jerome Avenue
Use the none lane.
13
At end of road, turn left onto CR 629; OD
10 ft
·
0 sec
·
Ventnor Avenue
Use the left lane.
14
Arrive at destination
CR 629; OD
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best without needing to worry about mid-trip rest stops. With no planned stops required for this 1 hour and 47-minute journey, you can easily complete it in one go. Keep in mind that your fuel budget is estimated at $14, so topping off your tank before you leave Middletown is a smart way to avoid extra stops along the Parkway. Because the route relies heavily on the Garden State Parkway, try to check traffic reports before heading out to ensure your travel time remains close to the 1 hour and 47-minute estimate. Prioritize a steady speed to make the most of that 73.8-mile highway stretch.
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 43.2 miles from Middletown, NJ, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.8 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 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.2 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Margate City, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Middletown, 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 Middletown, NJ
This is one driving day of about 86.3 miles and 1h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Middletown, 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 73.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 43.2 mi from Middletown, NJ · 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 43.2 miles from Middletown, 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 73.8 miles.
Arriving in Margate City, NJ
The final approach into Margate City, 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 Margate City, 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
$14.28 one way
$28.56 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $15.63 | $31.25 |
| premium | $4.92 | $16.72 | $33.45 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $19.17 | $38.35 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.43
Garden State Parkway
(73.8 mi)
$4.43
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
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.9 | 0 | $9.06 | $4.14 |
| Efficient EV | 21.6 | 0 | $7.55 | $3.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.5 | 0 | $12.08 | $5.52 |
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.
Destination
Margate City, NJ
Evening in Margate City on Sunday
Local time
8:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°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
12 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 Middletown, NJ to Margate City, NJ covers 86.3 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, Middletown Lincroft Road, Tilton Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 43.2 miles from Middletown, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.28 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.
The drive from Middletown, NJ to Margate City, NJ is easy. At 1h 47m with 85% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR 50 / Church Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.7 miles (CR 520 / Newman Springs Road): Navigation decision point; at 6.1 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Middletown, NJ and Margate City, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp Toll South and Cr 563: Northfield.
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