Origin
North Wildwood, NJ
Evening in North Wildwood on Sunday
Local time
7:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from North Wildwood, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ
Drive Time
2h 51m
Distance
138.2 mi
222 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 40m
★
6 AM
2h 51m
8 AM
3h 13m
10 AM
2h 59m
12 PM
2h 57m
3 PM
3h 0m
5 PM
3h 12m
8 PM
2h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elizabeth, NJ
Noé Villalta Photography
Trip Overview
Traveling from North Wildwood to Elizabeth covers 138.2 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 51 minutes. Because this journey is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize the Garden State Parkway, US 9, and North Wildwood Boulevard to navigate through the Northeast region. Expect to spend approximately $23 on fuel for the trip. This route is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that connects the Jersey Shore to the northern part of the state, making it a functional choice for commuters or weekend travelers looking to reach Elizabeth efficiently.
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
69.1 miles from North Wildwood, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a high-speed experience, as 93% of this trip consists of highway driving. The journey is defined by a significant 120-mile stretch along the Garden State Parkway, which serves as the backbone of your travel. While the initial leg involves navigating North Wildwood Boulevard and US 9, the transition to the Parkway creates a consistent, fast-paced rhythm. Because the vast majority of the route is interstate-style travel, you should prepare for a steady, focused drive. This is not a winding, technical road, but rather a direct path designed to move you quickly between your two points.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 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 120 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and US 9. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.7 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 138.2 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 4.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 51.5 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.6 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
4.7 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward GSP Toll North: Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 6
Toward GSP Toll North: Garden State Parkway
6
51.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
|
GSP / Garden State Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
124.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 28m in
|
GSP / Garden State Parkway
Take the exit onto GSP / Garden State Parkway toward GSP North, US 9 North, NJ 440: Woodbridge, Staten Island
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 127
Toward GSP North, US 9 North, NJ 440: Woodbridg...
9
125.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 9 North, I 287, NJ 440: Woodbridge, Staten Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 127
Toward US 9 North, I 287, NJ 440: Woodbridge, S...
7
126 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 9 North: Woodbridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 9 North: Woodbridge
Towns Along This Route
Between North Wildwood, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp North and Staten Island.
Gsp North
124.6 mi in
|
~2h 28m
|
via GSP
Staten Island
124.6 mi in
|
~2h 28m
|
via GSP
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 120 mi | 2h 20m |
| US 9 | 9.2 mi | 14m |
| North Wildwood Boulevard | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Carlton Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| East Edgar Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| West Spruce Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| New Jersey Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| West Anglesea Drive | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 120 mi, about 2h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Wildwood, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ.
1
Start on East 12th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
East 12th Avenue
2
Turn right onto CR 621; OD
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
New Jersey Avenue
3
Continue on CR 621; OD
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
West Anglesea Drive
4
Continue on NJ 147; OD
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
West Spruce Avenue
5
Continue on NJ 147; OD
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
North Wildwood Boulevard
6
Turn slight right
432 ft
·
15 sec
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 6
Toward GSP Toll North: Garden State Parkway
8
Merge onto GSP
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the none lane.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
31 sec
10
Merge onto GSP
34 mi
·
39 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
50 mi
·
58 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
31 sec
13
Continue on GSP
22 mi
·
26 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto GSP
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Exit 127
Toward GSP North, US 9 North, NJ 440: Woodbridge, Staten Island
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 127
Toward US 9 North, I 287, NJ 440: Woodbridge, Staten Island
Use the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward US 9 North: Woodbridge
Use the slight left lane.
17
Merge onto US 9
9.2 mi
·
14 min
·
US 9
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Edgar Road
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on US 1; US 9
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Carlton Street
Use the none lane.
20
Turn right
60 ft
·
6 sec
21
Turn right
383 ft
·
28 sec
22
Turn right
278 ft
·
22 sec
23
Turn right onto East Jersey Street
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
East Jersey Street
24
Turn right
34 ft
·
2 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 2-hour and 51-minute transit, plan for at least one stop to break up the drive. Since the Garden State Parkway carries the bulk of the traffic, try to avoid peak rush hours to ensure you maintain your estimated travel time. Keeping your fuel budget around $23 is realistic, but remember to monitor your gas levels before entering the long 120-mile stretch on the Parkway. Because this is a flexible, single-day route, you have the advantage of choosing your own pace without the pressure of a multi-day itinerary. Simply stay alert during the long highway segments to keep your trip safe and efficient.
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 69.1 miles from North Wildwood, NJ, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 120 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.1 miles or 1h 22m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elizabeth, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving North Wildwood, 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 North Wildwood, NJ
This is one driving day of about 138.2 miles and 2h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from North Wildwood, 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 120 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 69.1 mi from North Wildwood, NJ · 1h 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
69 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 69.1 miles from North Wildwood, 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 120 miles.
Arriving in Elizabeth, NJ
The final approach into Elizabeth, 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 Elizabeth, 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
$22.87 one way
$45.74 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $25.02 | $50.05 |
| premium | $4.92 | $26.78 | $53.56 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $30.70 | $61.41 |
Estimated Tolls: $7.19
Garden State Parkway
(120 mi)
$7.19
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
$23
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.4 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 | 41.5 | 0 | $14.51 | $6.63 |
| Efficient EV | 34.6 | 0 | $12.09 | $5.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.3 | 0 | $19.35 | $8.84 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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
Elizabeth, NJ
Evening in Elizabeth on Sunday
Local time
7:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°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
6 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
2h 51m 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 North Wildwood, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ covers 138.2 miles and takes about 2h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, US 9, 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 69.1 miles from North Wildwood, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.87 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 18 significant decision points across 138.2 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 4.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 51.5 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.6 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between North Wildwood, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp North and Staten Island.
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