Origin
Surf City, NJ
Evening in Surf City on Tuesday
Local time
8:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Surf City, NJ to Jersey City, NJ
Data updated 5 hours ago
Drive Time
2h
Distance
93.1 mi
150 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 51m
★
6 AM
2h 0m
8 AM
2h 17m
10 AM
2h 6m
12 PM
2h 4m
3 PM
2h 7m
5 PM
2h 17m
8 PM
1h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Surf City, NJ
Jimmy Boos
Trip Overview
This 93.1-mile journey from Surf City, NJ, to Jersey City, NJ, is designed as a straightforward, single-day trip, typically taking around 2 hours to complete. The route primarily utilizes major highways, including the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike, with the Manahawkin Bay Bridge marking an early point. With an estimated fuel cost of $15, this drive focuses on efficient travel between two points within the Northeast region. It's a practical option for those looking to get from the shore area to the metropolitan hub with minimal fuss.
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
46.6 miles from Surf City, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 86% of the route consisting of high-speed roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 64.3 miles along the Garden State Parkway, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your travel. While predominantly on major arteries, this drive prioritizes directness over scenic detours, providing a functional path with ample opportunities for maintaining highway speeds.
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 64.3 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 73.1 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 93.1 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 73.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.2 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
73.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
Take the exit toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Trenton
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 129
Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Trenton
8
89.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m in
Take the exit toward US 1 North Truck, US 9 North Truck: Newark, Jersey City
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 15E
Toward US 1 North Truck, US 9 North Truck: Newa...
8
90.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 1 Truck North, US 9 Truck North: Jersey City, Doremus Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 1 Truck North, US 9 Truck North: Jers...
7
90.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 1 North Truck, US 9 North Truck: Jersey City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 1 North Truck, US 9 North Truck: Jers...
7
92 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m in
|
US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
Take the exit onto US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck toward US 1 Truck North, US 9 Truck North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 1 Truck North, US 9 Truck North
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Surf City, NJ and Jersey City, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp Toll North, Gsp North, Njtp: New York City, Trenton and Njtp North: New York City.
Gsp Toll North
7.9 mi in
|
~12m
Gsp North
8.1 mi in
|
~13m
|
via GSP Northbound entrance ramp
Njtp: New York City
73.1 mi in
|
~1h 30m
Trenton
73.1 mi in
|
~1h 30m
Njtp North: New York City
74.1 mi in
|
~1h 32m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 64.3 mi | 1h 16m |
| New Jersey Turnpike | 14 mi | 17m |
| Manahawkin Bay Bridge | 6.4 mi | 9m |
| Lincoln Highway | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| North Central Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| US 1 Truck | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Duncan Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 64.3 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Surf City, NJ and Jersey City, NJ.
1
Start on North 12th Street
498 ft
·
26 sec
·
North 12th Street
2
Turn left onto CR 89
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Central Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
3
Turn right onto NJ 72
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
West 8th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on NJ 72
154 ft
·
3 sec
·
West 8th Street
Toward Manahawkin
5
Continue on NJ 72
6.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Manahawkin Bay Bridge
Toward Manahawkin
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Toward GSP Toll North
Use the right lane.
7
Continue on GSP Northbound entrance ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
GSP Northbound entrance ramp
Toward GSP North
8
Merge onto GSP
39 mi
·
46 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
31 sec
10
Continue on GSP
25 mi
·
30 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 129
Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Trenton
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
13
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
14
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
this road
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
16
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
14 mi
·
17 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
17
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
Exit 15E
Toward US 1 North Truck, US 9 North Truck: Newark, Jersey City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
322 ft
·
7 sec
Toward US 1 Truck North, US 9 Truck North: Jersey City, Doremus Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward US 1 North Truck, US 9 North Truck: Jersey City
21
Merge onto US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Lincoln Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit onto US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
Toward US 1 Truck North, US 9 Truck North
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto Duncan Avenue
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
Duncan Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Turn left onto Olean Avenue
316 ft
·
13 sec
·
Olean Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
Olean Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour duration, this route is easily manageable in a single day. Leaving in the morning, outside of peak commuter hours, will likely offer the smoothest experience. While no specific stops are mandated, you'll want to be mindful of the longest stretch of 64.3 miles on the Garden State Parkway – plan any brief pauses before or after this section. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $15, and major highways generally offer plentiful service areas.
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 46.6 miles from Surf City, NJ, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.3 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 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.6 miles or 58m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jersey City, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Surf City, 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 Surf City, NJ
This is one driving day of about 93.1 miles and 2h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Surf City, 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 64.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 46.6 mi from Surf City, NJ · 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 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 46.6 miles from Surf City, 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 64.3 miles.
Arriving in Jersey City, NJ
The final approach into Jersey 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 Jersey 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
$15.43 one way
$30.87 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $16.90 | $33.81 |
| premium | $4.93 | $18.06 | $36.11 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.56 | $41.11 |
Estimated Tolls: $12.96
Bay Bridge
$7.00
Garden State Parkway
(64.3 mi)
$3.85
New Jersey Turnpike
(15.1 mi)
$2.11
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
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.9 | 0 | $9.78 | $4.47 |
| Efficient EV | 23.3 | 0 | $8.15 | $3.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.2 | 0 | $13.03 | $5.96 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Jersey City, NJ
Evening in Jersey City on Tuesday
Local time
8:53 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
7 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 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 Surf City, NJ to Jersey City, NJ covers 93.1 miles and takes about 2h 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, Manahawkin Bay Bridge. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 46.6 miles from Surf City, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.43 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 93.1 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 73.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Surf City, NJ and Jersey City, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp Toll North, Gsp North, Njtp: New York City, Trenton and Njtp North: New York City.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Jersey City, NJ
More from Surf City, NJ
More trips to Jersey City, NJ
Explore more options from Surf City, NJ or browse trips ending in Jersey City, NJ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NJ road trips.
Explore maps for Surf City, NJ or Jersey City, NJ on MapSof.net.