Hard Rock Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Hours: 8 am–11 pm
+16094410007
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 30m
Distance
120.1 mi
193 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
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.
Atlantic City, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
This 120.1-mile journey from Atlantic City, NJ, to Jersey City, NJ, is designed for a single day, typically taking around 2 hours and 30 minutes. You'll spend about 95% of your time on major highways, primarily utilizing the Atlantic City Expressway, Garden State Parkway, and New Jersey Turnpike. With an estimated fuel cost of $20, this drive is a straightforward, highway-focused trip connecting two points within the Northeast region. It's an efficient route for getting from the shore to the northern part of the state, suitable for a quick transit.
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
60.1 miles from Atlantic City, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 91.1 mi | 1h 47m |
| New Jersey Turnpike | 14 mi | 17m |
| Atlantic City Expressway | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Lincoln Highway | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Atlantic Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| US 1 Truck | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Duncan Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Atlantic City, NJ and Jersey City, NJ.
Start on OD
Take the exit
Turn slight right onto North Arkansas Avenue
Continue on ACE
Take the exit
Merge onto GSP
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on GSP
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Continue on this road
Continue on this road
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
Take the exit onto US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
Turn right onto Duncan Avenue
Turn left onto Olean Avenue
Arrive at destination
Given the 2-hour and 30-minute estimated duration, this trip is easily manageable as a day trip, so you can leave whenever it suits your schedule. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of around $20, it’s a budget-friendly transit. The longest stretch on the Garden State Parkway is over 91 miles, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid the heaviest commuter traffic in both regions.
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 26 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.1 miles or 1h 12m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jersey City, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Atlantic 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 Atlantic City, NJ
This is one driving day of about 120.1 miles and 2h 30m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 60.1 miles from Atlantic 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 91.1 miles.
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
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 8 am–11 pm
+16094410007
Rainforest Cafe
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Formica Freitag Bakery & Cafe
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Top Coffee Stop
Manahawkin, New Jersey
Early in the drive, short detour
Hours: 7 am–4 pm
+16095495775
Near the start, right off the route
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Hours: 8 am–11 pm
+16094410007
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+16093455757
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+16093442732
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Hours: 4:30–8:30 pm
+16093446913
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Hours: 10:30 am–12 pm
+19083544024
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Northfield, New Jersey
Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm
+16092410147
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–3:30 pm
+16093488741
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Hours: Closed
+16097270975
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Manahawkin, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–4 pm
+16095495775
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Jersey City, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Kearny, New Jersey
+19083121242
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Staten Island, New York
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Jersey City, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Lakewood, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Jersey City, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18774943833
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Hoboken, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Union City, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+12018664664
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Atlantic City, New Jersey
+16093440449
Near the start, short detour
Galloway, NJ
Near the end, right off the route
Jersey City, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+12019151388
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Jersey City, New Jersey
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12016042702
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Hours: 1:45–8:45 pm
+16092467772
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Jersey City, New Jersey
+12012001000
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Staten Island, New York
Hours: Closed
+19296146088
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Jersey City, New Jersey
Hours: 8 am–8 pm
Near the end, short detour
Staten Island, New York
Hours: 10 am–10 pm
+13472367136
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Secaucus, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+12019151388
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.8 and 117.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward GSP North: New York
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
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
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
Regular Gas
$19.91 one way
$39.82 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $21.81 | $43.61 |
| premium | $4.93 | $23.29 | $46.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.52 | $53.03 |
Estimated Tolls: $7.57
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
$20
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36 | 0 | $12.61 | $5.76 |
| Efficient EV | 30 | 0 | $10.51 | $4.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48 | 0 | $16.81 | $7.69 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Morning in Atlantic City on Sunday
Local time
6:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Jersey City on Sunday
Local time
6:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 120.1-mile route, with 95% of it on major roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 91.1 miles along the Garden State Parkway. This means you'll be on fast-paced roads for the majority of your travel time, with minimal exposure to local scenery or slower traffic. The progression is primarily about covering distance efficiently on well-maintained parkways and turnpikes.
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 7.8 miles in.
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 18 significant decision points across 120.1 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 7.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 100.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Atlantic City, NJ and Jersey City, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp North: New York, Njtp: New York City, Trenton and Njtp North: New York City.
Gsp North: New York
Njtp: New York City
Trenton
Njtp North: New York City
Jersey City is New Jersey's second-largest city. Jersey City sits in Hudson County in the northeastern section of the state, across the Hudson from its older and bigger cousin, New York City, and south of Hoboken. It is frequently referred to as New York’s “sixth borough”. Until the early 1600s, the area was inhabited by Lenape Indians. The Dutch then settled here as a part of the colony of New Amsterdam. It evolved into an industrial powerhouse, with railroads winding up and down the city (some of these lines are still used today). Although Jersey City declined in the 1960s, an upswing began in the 1980s, and the city was transformed into what it is today.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 30m. Total distance: 120.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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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