Origin
North Wildwood, NJ
Night in North Wildwood on Sunday
Local time
10:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
1h 52m
Distance
90.4 mi
146 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lakewood, NJ
James Kampeis
Traveling from North Wildwood to Lakewood covers 90.4 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 52 minutes. This straightforward journey is ideal for a one-day trip, as it rarely requires an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $15 for fuel to complete the trek. The route stays entirely within the Northeast region, moving through New Jersey via North Wildwood Boulevard and the Garden State Parkway. Because the drive is relatively short and efficient, it works well as a direct commute or a quick weekend excursion between these two New Jersey communities.
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
45.2 miles from North Wildwood, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 85% of this trip consists of high-speed travel. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the Garden State Parkway, which accounts for a 76.5-mile uninterrupted stretch of the journey. The transition from local roads like North Wildwood Boulevard into the Parkway provides a quick shift from slower residential pacing to a steady interstate flow. While the road is mostly a functional grind, the consistency of the highway makes for a predictable, low-stress time behind the wheel. Lakewood Road serves as your final connection, guiding you into your destination after the long highway run.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Lakewood Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.7 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 90.4 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 81.8 miles (US 9): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight left at fork toward GSP Toll North: Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto US 9 toward US 9 North, CR 571, NJ 166: Lakewood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward Toms River
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto NJ 166 / Lakewood Road
Lane positioning matters here
Between North Wildwood, NJ and Lakewood, NJ, road signs point toward Cr 571 and Toms River.
Cr 571
Toms River
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 76.5 mi | 1h 28m |
| Lakewood Road | 4.3 mi | 6m |
| North Wildwood Boulevard | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| River Avenue | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| Madison Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| West Spruce Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| New Jersey Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| US 9 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between North Wildwood, NJ and Lakewood, NJ.
Start on East 12th Avenue
Turn right onto CR 621; OD
Continue on CR 621; OD
Continue on NJ 147; OD
Continue on NJ 147; OD
Turn slight right
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto GSP
Take the exit
Merge onto GSP
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
Take the exit onto US 9
Keep slight left at fork
Turn straight onto Lomell Lane
Turn right onto NJ 166
Continue on US 9
Continue on US 9
Turn right onto 8th Street
Arrive at destination
Since this is a compact 90.4-mile trip with zero mandatory stops, you have the flexibility to depart whenever it suits your schedule. Try to time your departure to avoid peak commuting hours on the Garden State Parkway to ensure you maintain that estimated 1 hour and 52 minute travel time. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the Parkway, as it is the longest segment of your trip. Because there are no required stops, you can easily complete the drive in a single push without needing to schedule rest breaks. Carrying a small amount of cash or keeping your E-ZPass ready is a smart move for any tolls you may encounter along the Parkway.
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.
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 45.2 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakewood, NJ than in the middle of the route.
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 90.4 miles and 1h 52m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 45.2 mi from North Wildwood, NJ · 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
45 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 45.2 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 76.5 miles.
The final approach into Lakewood, 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 Lakewood, NJ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$14.96 one way
$29.92 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $16.37 | $32.74 |
| premium | $4.92 | $17.52 | $35.04 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $20.08 | $40.17 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.59
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
$15
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.1 | 0 | $9.49 | $4.34 |
| Efficient EV | 22.6 | 0 | $7.91 | $3.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 36.2 | 0 | $12.66 | $5.79 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in North Wildwood on Sunday
Local time
10:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Lakewood on Sunday
Local time
10:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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