Trip from Newark, NJ to Atlantic City, NJ

Drive Time

2h 27m

Distance

118 mi

190 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min

4 AM

2h 17m ★

6 AM

2h 27m

8 AM

2h 47m

10 AM

2h 34m

12 PM

2h 32m

3 PM

2h 35m

5 PM

2h 46m

8 PM

2h 21m

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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Atlantic City, NJ

Yura Forrat

Trip Overview

Traveling from Newark to Atlantic City covers 118 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 27 minutes. This highway-focused route utilizes the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, and the Atlantic City Expressway to move you quickly through the Northeast. Because the drive is straightforward, it functions perfectly as a single-day excursion, though staying overnight allows for a more relaxed pace. Budgeting approximately $20 for fuel should cover your transit costs comfortably. Whether you are heading to the coast for a quick getaway or a longer vacation, this efficient path keeps your 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

59 miles from Newark, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a high-speed, interstate-focused experience, as 96% of this trip is spent on major highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the Garden State Parkway, which accounts for a 91.8-mile stretch of your journey. The road feels like a consistent, efficient corridor designed for steady travel rather than winding exploration. Because the route relies heavily on major expressways, you should anticipate a fast-paced environment that prioritizes speed over local road detours. Navigating these major arteries requires staying alert, as the flow of traffic remains constant throughout the drive.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 21 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 91.8 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 5.4 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 118 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 5.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.2 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; at 16.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

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

5.4 mi into trip | ~11m 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 left / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton

15.2 mi into trip | ~23m 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...

16.6 mi into trip | ~25m 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...

16.9 mi into trip | ~26m in | GSP Southbound entrance

Keep slight left at fork onto GSP Southbound entrance toward GSP South: Garden State Parkway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward GSP South: Garden State Parkway

109.1 mi into trip | ~2h 14m in

Take the exit toward A C Expressway, Atlantic City East

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Exit 38A Toward A C Expressway, Atlantic City East

Towns Along This Route

Between Newark, NJ and Atlantic City, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp, Woodbridge, Gsp South, Perth Amboy and Atlantic City East.

Gsp

15.2 mi in | ~23m | via Exit 11

Woodbridge

15.2 mi in | ~23m | via Exit 11

Gsp South

16.6 mi in | ~25m

Perth Amboy

16.6 mi in | ~25m

Atlantic City East

109.1 mi in | ~2h 14m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Garden State Parkway	91.8 mi	1h 47m
New Jersey Turnpike	9.4 mi	11m
Atlantic City Expressway	7.4 mi	10m
US 1	1.7 mi	2m
McCarter Highway	1.5 mi	3m
Exit to GSP and US Route 9	1.4 mi	2m
NJ 81	1.1 mi	2m
Atlantic Avenue	0.9 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Garden State Parkway — 91.8 mi, about 1h 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Newark, NJ and Atlantic City, NJ.

Start on CR 510

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Market Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto Mulberry Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Mulberry Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn slight right onto NJ 21

1.5 mi · 3 min · McCarter Highway

Use the none lane.

Merge onto US 1; US 9

0.2 mi · 17 sec · US 1; US 9

Continue on US 1; US 9

1.5 mi · 2 min · US 1; US 9

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Continue on NJ 81

1.1 mi · 2 min · NJ 81

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

315 ft · 7 sec

Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec

Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton

Merge onto I 95; NJTP

9.4 mi · 11 min · New Jersey Turnpike

Use the none lane.

Take the exit onto Exit 11

1.4 mi · 2 min · Exit to GSP and US Route 9

Exit 11 Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Toward GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto GSP Southbound entrance

0.5 mi · 1 min · GSP Southbound entrance

Toward GSP South: Garden State Parkway Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto GSP

3.0 mi · 3 min · Garden State Parkway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto GSP

0.7 mi · 49 sec · Garden State Parkway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto GSP

88 mi · 1 hr 42 min · Garden State Parkway

Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Exit 38A Toward A C Expressway, Atlantic City East Use the right lane.

Merge onto ACE

7.4 mi · 10 min · Atlantic City Expressway

Use the none / straight / right lanes.

Continue on Italian Heritage Boulevard

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Italian Heritage Boulevard

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto OD

0.9 mi · 1 min · Atlantic Avenue

Use the left / straight lanes.

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

To ensure a smooth journey, consider timing your departure to avoid peak traffic hours on these heavily traveled corridors. Since the entire trip is only 2 hours and 27 minutes, you have the flexibility to head out early in the morning or mid-afternoon without needing to schedule formal rest stops. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the Garden State Parkway, as this 91.8-mile stretch is your longest uninterrupted segment. Because this is a short, direct drive, your best strategy is to keep your vehicle prepared and maintain a steady pace to reach the coast efficiently. Utilizing the Atlantic City Expressway for the final leg will help you transition smoothly from the highway system into your destination.

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 59 miles from Newark, NJ, or about 1h 16m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.8 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 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 59 miles or 1h 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 2h

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Newark, 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 Newark, NJ

This is one driving day of about 118 miles and 2h 27m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Newark, 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 91.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 59 mi from Newark, NJ · 1h 16m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

59 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 59 miles from Newark, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Garden State Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.8 miles.

Arriving in Atlantic City, NJ

The final approach into Atlantic 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 Atlantic 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

$19.53 one way

$39.05 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.60	$21.37	$42.73
premium	$4.92	$22.87	$45.73
diesel	$5.64	$26.22	$52.43

Estimated Tolls: $6.81

Garden State Parkway (91.8 mi) $5.50

New Jersey Turnpike (9.4 mi) $1.31

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

$20

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 41.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	35.4	$12.39	$5.66
Efficient EV	29.5	$10.33	$4.72
EV Truck/SUV	47.2	$16.52	$7.55

Gas CO2

41 kg

EV CO2

14 kg (66% 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

Newark, NJ

Evening in Newark on Sunday

Local time

8:29 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Atlantic City, NJ

Evening in Atlantic City on Sunday

Local time

8:29 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

5 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

2h 27m 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 Newark, NJ to Atlantic City, NJ covers 118 miles and takes about 2h 27m 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, Atlantic City Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 59 miles from Newark, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.53 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.

Between Newark, NJ and Atlantic City, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp, Woodbridge, Gsp South, Perth Amboy and Atlantic City East.

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Return Trip

Atlantic City, NJ to Newark, NJ

Plan the drive back the other way.

117.6 mi 1h 55m

Explore more options from Newark, NJ or browse trips ending in Atlantic City, NJ.

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Trip from Newark, NJ to Atlantic City, NJ

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Atlantic City, NJ

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Newark, NJ

Atlantic City, NJ

Same local time

5 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 27m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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