Origin
Newark, NJ
Evening in Newark on Sunday
Local time
8:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Newark, NJ to Wildwood, NJ
Drive Time
2h 59m
Distance
145.7 mi
235 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 48m
★
6 AM
3h 0m
8 AM
3h 22m
10 AM
3h 8m
12 PM
3h 5m
3 PM
3h 9m
5 PM
3h 21m
8 PM
2h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
Traveling from Newark to Wildwood covers 145.7 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 59 minutes under normal conditions. This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, utilizing the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway before finishing on North Wildwood Boulevard. Because the total duration is under three hours, it is perfectly feasible as a day trip, though staying overnight allows for a more relaxed pace. Budget approximately $24 for fuel to complete the journey. Since both cities are located within the Northeast region of New Jersey, you will experience a consistent transition from the urban density of Newark to the coastal atmosphere of the Jersey Shore.
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
72.9 miles from Newark, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a straightforward, efficient journey with 93% of your time spent on major highways. You will settle into a long, consistent rhythm for the majority of the trip, highlighted by a 122.4-mile stretch along the Garden State Parkway. While the initial leg involves the New Jersey Turnpike, the character of the drive shifts as you head south toward the coast. The road is designed for speed and direct access, minimizing technical maneuvering until you reach the final approach on North Wildwood Boulevard. It is a classic interstate grind that prioritizes getting you to your destination quickly rather than offering winding, scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 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 122.4 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 145.7 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 pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
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
8
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...
8
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...
7
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
8
139.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 50m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 6
Toward NJ 147: North Wildwood, Whitesboro
Towns Along This Route
Between Newark, NJ and Wildwood, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp, Woodbridge, Gsp South and Perth Amboy.
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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 122.4 mi | 2h 22m |
| New Jersey Turnpike | 9.4 mi | 11m |
| North Wildwood Boulevard | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| US 1 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| McCarter Highway | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| New Jersey Avenue | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Exit to GSP and US Route 9 | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| NJ 81 | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 122.4 mi, about 2h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newark, NJ and Wildwood, NJ.
1
Start on CR 510
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Market Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Turn right onto Mulberry Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Mulberry Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn slight right onto NJ 21
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
McCarter Highway
Use the none lane.
4
Merge onto US 1; US 9
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
US 1; US 9
5
Continue on US 1; US 9
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
US 1; US 9
Use the none lane.
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
7
Continue on NJ 81
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
NJ 81
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
315 ft
·
7 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
10
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
Use the none lane.
11
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.
12
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.
13
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.
14
Merge onto GSP
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the none lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
119 mi
·
2 hr 17 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 6
Toward NJ 147: North Wildwood, Whitesboro
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn right onto NJ 147
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
North Wildwood Boulevard
19
Continue on NJ 147; OD
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
West Spruce Avenue
20
Continue on NJ 147; OD
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
West Anglesea Drive
21
Continue on CR 621; OD
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
New Jersey Avenue
22
Turn right onto West Wildwood Avenue
142 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Wildwood Avenue
23
Turn left
38 ft
·
2 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this drive, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs during the roughly three-hour transit. Because the majority of your time is spent on the Garden State Parkway, keep an eye on traffic patterns, especially during summer weekends when shore-bound congestion is common. Aiming for an early morning or mid-week departure can help you avoid the heaviest volume on these main arteries. Since you only need about $24 in fuel, topping off your tank before leaving Newark ensures you won't have to worry about stops until you reach your destination. Use the flexibility of this one-day route to time your arrival perfectly with beach access hours.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72.9 miles from Newark, NJ, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 122.4 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 72.9 miles or 1h 32m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wildwood, 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 145.7 miles and 2h 59m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 122.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 72.9 mi from Newark, NJ · 1h 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
73 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 72.9 miles from Newark, 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.
Arriving in Wildwood, NJ
The final approach into 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 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.11 one way
$48.22 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
51 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $26.38 | $52.76 |
| premium | $4.92 | $28.23 | $56.47 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $32.37 | $64.74 |
Estimated Tolls: $8.65
Garden State Parkway
(122.4 mi)
$7.34
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
$24
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.7 | 0 | $15.30 | $6.99 |
| Efficient EV | 36.4 | 0 | $12.75 | $5.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 58.3 | 0 | $20.40 | $9.32 |
Gas CO2
51 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Wildwood, NJ
Evening in Wildwood on Sunday
Local time
8:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°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
8 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 59m 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 Wildwood, NJ covers 145.7 miles and takes about 2h 59m 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, North Wildwood Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 72.9 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 $24.11 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 145.7 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.
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.
Between Newark, NJ and Wildwood, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp, Woodbridge, Gsp South and Perth Amboy.
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