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Trip from Wildwood Crest, NJ to Middletown, NJ

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 21m

Distance

116.3 mi

187 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 12m ★
6 AM
2h 21m
8 AM
2h 41m
10 AM
2h 28m
12 PM
2h 26m
3 PM
2h 29m
5 PM
2h 40m
8 PM
2h 16m

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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borough in New Jersey, United States

Wildwood Crest, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

township in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States

Middletown, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Wildwood Crest, NJ to Middletown, NJ covers 116.3 miles and takes about 2h 21m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Garden State Parkway, Wildwood Boulevard, Holland Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 108.3 miles on Garden State Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.28 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

58.2 miles from Wildwood Crest, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Garden State Parkway 108.3 mi 2h 5m
Wildwood Boulevard 2.2 mi 3m
Holland Road 1.1 mi 2m
Van Schoick Road 1 mi 1m
New Jersey Avenue 0.8 mi 1m
Rio Grande Avenue 0.5 mi <1m
Red Hill Road 0.3 mi <1m
Kings Highway 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Garden State Parkway — 108.3 mi, about 2h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Wildwood Crest, NJ and Middletown, NJ.

1

Start on East Rosemary Road

0.1 mi · 34 sec · East Rosemary Road
2

Turn right onto CR 621

0.8 mi · 1 min · New Jersey Avenue
3

Turn left onto NJ 47

0.5 mi · 50 sec · Rio Grande Avenue
4

Turn straight onto NJ 47

2.2 mi · 3 min · Wildwood Boulevard
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 4 Toward GSP Toll North: Garden State Parkway
6

Merge onto GSP

15 mi · 17 min · Garden State Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
7

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 31 sec
8

Merge onto GSP

34 mi · 39 min · Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto GSP

50 mi · 58 min · Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 31 sec
11

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 9 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Merge onto GSP

9.1 mi · 10 min · Garden State Parkway
13

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 114 Toward Holmdel, Middletown Use the slight right lane.
14

Turn right onto CR 52

440 ft · 11 sec · Red Hill Road
15

Continue on CR 52

1.0 mi · 1 min · Van Schoick Road
16

Turn right onto Holland Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · Holland Road
17

Turn left onto Red Hill Road

0.2 mi · 33 sec · Red Hill Road
18

Turn right onto Kings Highway

0.3 mi · 43 sec · Kings Highway
19

Arrive at destination

CR 50

Trip Plan

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 58.2 miles from Wildwood Crest, NJ, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108.3 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 26 miles or 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 58.2 miles or 1h 9m 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 53m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Wildwood Crest, 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 Wildwood Crest, NJ

This is one driving day of about 116.3 miles and 2h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Wildwood Crest, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 108.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Ocean County, NJ, NJ

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ocean County, NJ

58 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

Ocean City, NJ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lacey, NJ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 58.2 miles from Wildwood Crest, 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 108.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

The Jellyfish Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Wildwood Crest, New Jersey

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: Closed

+16094355467

Visit website

Sun'z Up Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Wildwood Crest, New Jersey

0.2 mi

Sunnyside Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cape May Court House, New Jersey

0.2 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Coho Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Cape May Court House, New Jersey

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 8.3

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+16095362935

Visit website

Reges Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Wildwood Crest, New Jersey

1.3 mi

Central Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

North Wildwood, New Jersey

2.3 mi

The Jellyfish Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Wildwood Crest, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+16094355467

Visit website

Sun'z Up Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Wildwood Crest, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+16095220106

Sunnyside Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 8.3

Cape May Court House, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+16095362376

Key West Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Wildwood, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+16095225006

Sushi Ocean View Japanese Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 16.6

Ocean View, New Jersey

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+16096248886

Visit website

Island Shore Chinese Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 24.9

Marmora, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+16093907320

Visit website

Fai's Chinese Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 16.6

Ocean View, New Jersey

Hours: 11:30 am–2:45 pm

+16096248000

Visit website

Bayshore Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 16.6

Ocean View, New Jersey

Hours: 12–8 pm

+16096241717

Visit website

Coho Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 8.3

Cape May Court House, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+16095362935

Visit website

Reges Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Wildwood Crest, New Jersey

Hours: 7:30 am–1 pm

+16097299300

Visit website

Central Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

North Wildwood, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+16098499421

Shorebreak Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 16.6

Sea Isle City, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+16094862137

Visit website

Salty Acres Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Rio Grande, New Jersey

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+16094258320

Visit website

Cafe Noir

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 8.3

Stone Harbor, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+16095537080

Visit website

Swell Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 24.9

Ocean City, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+16098142980

Visit website

agnello's cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 66.5

Manahawkin, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+16095495775

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 91.4

Lakewood, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 116.3

Middletown Township, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 99.7

Tinton Falls, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18665761495

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 99.7

Tinton Falls, NJ

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 99.7

Tinton Falls, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 108

Shrewsbury, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 108

Red Bank, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 108

Eatontown, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Sunset Beach Hotel

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Wildwood, New Jersey

+16095223193

Visit website

The Flanders Hotel

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 24.9

Ocean City, New Jersey

+16093991000

Visit website

American star inn and suites hotel galloway

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 41.5

Galloway, NJ

Mariners Arcade

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Wildwood, New Jersey

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

Visit website

The Museum of Cape May County

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 8.3

Cape May Court House, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+16094653535

Visit website

Hereford Inlet Lighthouse

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

North Wildwood, New Jersey

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+16096001561

Visit website

Playland's Castaway Cove

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 24.9

Ocean City, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+16093994751

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.8 and 113.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
3.8 mi into trip | ~6m in | GSP / Garden State Parkway

Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.
5
19.4 mi into trip | ~24m in | GSP / Garden State Parkway

Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
53.2 mi into trip | ~1h 3m 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.
5
103.9 mi into trip | ~2h 3m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
113.2 mi into trip | ~2h 13m in

Take the exit toward Holmdel, Middletown

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 114 Toward Holmdel, Middletown

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.28 one way

$38.56 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $21.12 $42.23
premium $4.93 $22.55 $45.11
diesel $5.61 $25.68 $51.36

Estimated Tolls: $6.50

Garden State Parkway (108.3 mi) $6.50

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

$19

Tolls

$7

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 40.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

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

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 34.9 0 $12.21 $5.58
Efficient EV 29.1 0 $10.18 $4.65
EV Truck/SUV 46.5 0 $16.28 $7.44

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 as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Wildwood Crest, NJ

Afternoon in Wildwood Crest on Saturday

Local time

3:31 PM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Patchy Fog

NE 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Middletown, NJ

Afternoon in Middletown on Saturday

Local time

3:31 PM

EDT

Current temp

46°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

4 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 21m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Gateway National Recreation Area

Gateway National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...

16 mi from route ~40 min detour Free near mile 116.3
Park Closure: Dead Horse Bay (Brooklyn) Remains Closed to the Public
Park Closure: Jacob Riis Park Access Restrictions
View on nps.gov
Thomas Edison National Historical Park

Thomas Edison National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Today, the brick buildings on Main Street in West Orange, NJ seem quiet, betraying little evidence of the research, development, and innovation of their heyday. Visitors can step back in time to Thoma...

28 mi from route ~69 min detour $10 near mile 116.3
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

116.3 mi in 2h 21m, mostly highway — 108.3 mi of that is on Garden State Parkway.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 108.3 mi on Garden State Parkway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Wildwood Boulevard. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.8 miles in near GSP / Garden State Parkway.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 116.3 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 3.8 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.4 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.2 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 21m. Total distance: 116.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 108.3 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $6.50 in tolls one way, starting with Garden State Parkway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Middletown, NJ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 3.8 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.4 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.2 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Gateway National Recreation Area and Thomas Edison National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Middletown, NJ before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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