The Jellyfish Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
Wildwood Crest, New Jersey
Hours: Closed
+16094355467
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 42m
Distance
131.8 mi
212 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wildwood Crest, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Edison, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Wildwood Crest, NJ to Edison, NJ covers 131.8 miles and takes about 2h 42m 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, NJ 18, NJ 34 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 93.1 miles on Garden State Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.85 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.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
65.9 miles from Wildwood Crest, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 42m. Total distance: 131.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 2h 42m highway drive covering 131.8 miles, with most of the trip on Garden State Parkway and NJ 18. The longest continuous stretch is about 93.1 miles on Garden State Parkway.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
302 ft
Total Descent
219 ft
Highest Point
155 ft
~113 mi in
Elevation Range
158 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and NJ 18. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 53.2 miles in near GSP / Garden State Parkway.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 131.8 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 53.2 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 97.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward NJ 138 East, I 195 West, NJ 34: Belmar, Trenton
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 GSP North, I 195 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 195 West: Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward NJ 34 North: Matawan
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Wildwood Crest, NJ and Edison, NJ, road signs point toward Trenton and Gsp North.
Trenton
Gsp North
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 93.1 mi | 1h 48m |
| NJ 18 | 21.4 mi | 24m |
| NJ 34 | 7 mi | 9m |
| Wildwood Boulevard | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| US 1 | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Plainfield Avenue | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| NJ 33 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| New Jersey Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Wildwood Crest, NJ and Edison, NJ.
Start on East Rosemary Road
Turn right onto CR 621
Turn left onto NJ 47
Turn straight onto NJ 47
Take the ramp
Merge onto GSP
Take the exit
Merge onto GSP
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto NJ 138
Take the exit
Merge onto NJ 34
Enter roundabout onto NJ 33; NJ 34
Continue on NJ 33; NJ 34
Take the exit onto NJ 34
Take the ramp
Merge onto NJ 18
Take the exit
Merge onto US 1
Continue on US 1
Continue on US 1
Continue on US 1
Turn right
At end of road, turn left onto CR 529
Turn left onto Central Avenue
Turn right onto Reed Street
Arrive at destination
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 29 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.9 miles or 1h 18m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Edison, NJ than in the middle of the route.
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 131.8 miles and 2h 42m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 65.9 mi from Wildwood Crest, NJ · 1h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 65.9 miles from Wildwood Crest, 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 93.1 miles.
The final approach into Edison, 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 Edison, NJ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Wildwood Crest, New Jersey
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: Closed
+16094355467
Sun'z Up Cafe
Wildwood Crest, New Jersey
Key West Cafe
Wildwood, New Jersey
Top Coffee Stop
Cape May Court House, New Jersey
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+16095362935
Reges Cafe
Wildwood Crest, New Jersey
Central Cafe
North Wildwood, New Jersey
Near the start, right off the route
Wildwood Crest, New Jersey
Hours: Closed
+16094355467
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Wildwood Crest, New Jersey
Hours: Closed
+16095220106
Near the start, right off the route
Wildwood, New Jersey
Hours: Closed
+16095225006
Near the start, short detour
Cape May Court House, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+16095362376
Near the start, short detour
Ocean View, New Jersey
Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm
+16096248886
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Wildwood, New Jersey
Hours: Closed
+16095512306
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Somers Point, New Jersey
Hours: 11:30 am–11 pm
+16099276665
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Ocean View, New Jersey
Hours: 11:30 am–2:45 pm
+16096248000
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Cape May Court House, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+16095362935
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Wildwood Crest, New Jersey
Hours: 7:30 am–1 pm
+16097299300
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
North Wildwood, New Jersey
Hours: Closed
+16098499421
Early in the drive, short detour
Ocean City, New Jersey
Hours: Closed
+16098142980
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Stone Harbor, New Jersey
Hours: Closed
+16095537080
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Rio Grande, New Jersey
Hours: 8 am–6 pm
+16094258320
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Manahawkin, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–4 pm
+16095495775
Visit websiteNear the start, ~11 min detour
Sea Isle City, New Jersey
Hours: Closed
+16094862137
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Farmingdale, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Edison, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Old Bridge, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Highland Park, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Tinton Falls, NJ
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Tinton Falls, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18665761495
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Old Bridge, New Jersey
Near the end, short detour
Piscataway, New Jersey
+18668167584
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Wildwood, New Jersey
+16095223193
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Ocean City, New Jersey
+16093991000
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Galloway, NJ
Near the start, short detour
Wildwood, New Jersey
Hours: 9 am–4 pm
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Cape May Court House, New Jersey
Hours: Closed
+16094653535
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
North Wildwood, New Jersey
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+16096001561
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Ocean City, New Jersey
Hours: Closed
+16093994751
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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Regular Gas
$21.85 one way
$43.70 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $23.93 | $47.86 |
| premium | $4.93 | $25.56 | $51.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.10 | $58.20 |
Estimated Tolls: $5.59
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
$22
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.5 | 0 | $13.84 | $6.33 |
| Efficient EV | 33 | 0 | $11.53 | $5.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52.7 | 0 | $18.45 | $8.44 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Wildwood Crest on Saturday
Local time
3:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Edison on Saturday
Local time
3:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°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.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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