Traveling from Atlantic City to Newark covers 117.6 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 55 minutes, making it a straightforward journey across the Northeast. You will primarily navigate via North Arkansas Avenue, the Atlantic City Expressway, and the Garden State Parkway North. Because the trip is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stops. Budget approximately $19 for fuel to complete the transit between these two New Jersey cities. This route is a practical choice if you are looking to move efficiently between the coast and the northern part of the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.7 miles from Atlantic City, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
91.1 mi
1h 47m
New Jersey Turnpike
9.5 mi
11m
Atlantic City Expressway
6.7 mi
9m
NJ 21
1.9 mi
3m
US 1
1.7 mi
2m
Atlantic Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
NJ 81
0.7 mi
1m
Mulberry Street
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 91.1 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Atlantic City, NJ and Newark, NJ.
1
Start on OD
0.8 mi·1 min·Atlantic Avenue
2
Take the exit
268 ft·7 sec
Use the right lane.
3
Turn slight right onto North Arkansas Avenue
0.2 mi·21 sec·North Arkansas Avenue
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on ACE
6.7 mi·9 min·Atlantic City Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 7NToward GSP North: New YorkUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto GSP
16 mi·18 min·Garden State Parkway
7
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
50 mi·58 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·31 sec
9
Continue on GSP
25 mi·30 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Exit 129Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, TrentonUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
12
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·1 min·this road
13
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·16 sec·this road
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
15
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
9.5 mi·11 min·New Jersey Turnpike
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 13AToward Newark Airport, Elizabeth SeaportUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto NJ 81
0.7 mi·1 min·NJ 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·44 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on US 1; US 9
1.7 mi·2 min·US 1; US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21
1.9 mi·3 min·NJ 21
Toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, DowntownUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
229 ft·7 sec·Chestnut Street
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right onto Mulberry Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Mulberry Street
23
Turn left onto CR 510
0.2 mi·29 sec·Market Street
Use the left lane.
24
Arrive at destination
CR 510
Trip Plan
To ensure a smooth trip, aim to depart outside of peak commuter hours to avoid the inevitable congestion near the Newark area. Given the 117.6-mile distance, you have the flexibility to drive the entire stretch without needing a planned stop, though taking a break remains a smart choice for comfort. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Atlantic City, as the $19 estimated cost is based on standard consumption for the 1 hour and 55-minute duration. Since the route relies heavily on the Garden State Parkway, keep your toll payment method ready to prevent delays at booths. Embracing this direct, efficient path allows you to maximize your time once you arrive at your 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.
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 58.7 miles from Atlantic City, NJ, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.1 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 58.7 miles or 1h 11m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newark, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 117.4 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Atlantic City, 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 91.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.8 and 114.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
7.8 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the exit toward GSP North: New York
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 7N
Toward GSP North: New York
6
24.4 mi into trip|~30m 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.
8
100.1 mi into trip|~2h 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
111.3 mi into trip|~2h 16m in
Take the exit toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport
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 13A
Toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport
8
114.7 mi into trip|~2h 21m in|NJ 21
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21 toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.46 one way
$38.93 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$21.32
$42.63
premium
$4.93
$22.77
$45.54
diesel
$5.61
$25.92
$51.84
Estimated Tolls: $6.79
Garden State Parkway
(91.1 mi)$5.46
New Jersey Turnpike
(9.5 mi)$1.33
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: 41.1 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
35.2
0
$12.33
$5.64
Efficient EV
29.4
0
$10.27
$4.70
EV Truck/SUV
47
0
$16.44
$7.51
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 15, 2026
Origin
Atlantic City, NJ
Night
in Atlantic City on Saturday
Local time
10:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Newark, NJ
Night
in Newark on Saturday
Local time
10:52 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
10 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 27m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
$10
near mile 117.4
Silk cloth and steam locomotives; textiles and continuous paper rolls; firearms and aircraft engines. What do these things have in common? All were manufactured in the same place - Paterson, NJ. In 17...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 117.4
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 109.3
Morristown National Historical Park commemorates the sites of General Washington and the Continental Army’s winter encampment from December 1779 to June 1780, where soldiers survived the coldest winte...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 113.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that transitions quickly into major thoroughfares. While the route involves navigating initial local turns, you will spend the bulk of your time on the Atlantic City Expressway and the Garden State Parkway. The character of the road shifts from the coastal atmosphere of Atlantic City to the more dense, high-traffic corridors nearing Newark. Since this is not a monotonous interstate grind, stay alert for changing flow patterns as you move through these diverse regional sections. The drive maintains a consistent pace, allowing you to cover the full distance in under two hours.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.1 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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.
Driving Effort10/10
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 17 significant decision points across 117.4 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 7.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.4 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Atlantic City, NJ and Newark, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp North: New York, Njtp: New York City, Trenton, Njtp North: New York City, Newark Airport and Elizabeth Seaport.
Newark is New Jersey's largest city and second largest in Metro New York. Although one of the great historic cities of the Northeast and the most culture-rich city in the state, Newark is often overlooked in favor of Goliath-like Manhattan and towns along the Hudson River, such as Jersey City and Hoboken. While no longer the industrial powerhouse it once was, Newark remains one of America's major shipping, rail, and air hubs. Public transportation is abundant, making it easy to get to, from, and around the city.
Newark has been economically disadvantaged for some time, and suffers from a bad reputation, often informed by negative stereotyping. Thanks in large part to a nationally high-profile mayor (Cory Booker, now a U.S.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 27m. Total distance: 117.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 91.1 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.79 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 Newark, 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 7.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.4 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Yes — Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area (4 total within detour distance). 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 Newark, NJ before heading back.
