Embark on a straightforward 73.7-mile journey from Barnegat, NJ, to Elizabeth, NJ, a drive that typically takes about 1 hour and 35 minutes. This route is primarily highway-focused, with 93% of the drive utilizing major roadways like the Garden State Parkway and US 9. Given its relatively short duration and straightforward nature, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. You can expect a fuel cost of around $12, making it an economical option for a quick transition within the Northeast region. This drive is designed for efficient travel, getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.9 miles from Barnegat, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
59.2 mi
1h 10m
US 9
9.2 mi
14m
Carlton Street
1.5 mi
2m
East Bay Avenue
1.4 mi
2m
East Edgar Road
0.7 mi
1m
East Jersey Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 59.2 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Barnegat, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ.
1
Start on CR 609
1.4 mi·2 min·East Bay Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward GSP Toll North
3
Merge onto GSP
36 mi·41 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·31 sec
5
Continue on GSP
22 mi·26 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto GSP
1.2 mi·2 min·Garden State Parkway
Exit 127Toward GSP North, US 9 North, NJ 440: Woodbridge, Staten IslandUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 127Toward US 9 North, I 287, NJ 440: Woodbridge, Staten IslandUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward US 9 North: WoodbridgeUse the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto US 9
9.2 mi·14 min·US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9
0.7 mi·1 min·East Edgar Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on US 1; US 9
1.5 mi·2 min·Carlton Street
12
Turn right
60 ft·6 sec
13
Turn right
383 ft·28 sec
14
Turn right
278 ft·22 sec
15
Turn right onto East Jersey Street
0.3 mi·50 sec·East Jersey Street
16
Turn right
34 ft·2 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 35-minute drive, leaving on a weekday morning or mid-afternoon can help you avoid the heaviest traffic, especially as you approach Elizabeth. With no designated stops suggested and a fuel cost of only $12, this trip offers considerable flexibility. You can easily make it in one day, allowing you to depart and arrive at your convenience. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to signage when transitioning from the Garden State Parkway to US 9, as these can be busy interchanges.
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 36.9 miles from Barnegat, NJ, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.2 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 16 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.9 miles or 44m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elizabeth, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Barnegat, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Barnegat, NJ
This is one driving day of about 73.7 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Barnegat, 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 59.2 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 71 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in|GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
60.1 mi into trip|~1h 12m in|GSP / Garden State Parkway
Take the exit onto GSP / Garden State Parkway toward GSP North, US 9 North, NJ 440: Woodbridge, Staten Island
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 127
Toward GSP North, US 9 North, NJ 440: Woodbridg...
9
61.3 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 9 North, I 287, NJ 440: Woodbridge, Staten Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 127
Toward US 9 North, I 287, NJ 440: Woodbridge, S...
7
61.5 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 9 North: Woodbridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 9 North: Woodbridge
6
71 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|US 1; US 9 / East Edgar Road
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9 / East Edgar Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.22 one way
$24.44 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$13.38
$26.76
premium
$4.93
$14.29
$28.59
diesel
$5.61
$16.27
$32.54
Estimated Tolls: $3.55
Garden State Parkway
(59.2 mi)$3.55
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
$12
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.1
0
$7.74
$3.54
Efficient EV
18.4
0
$6.45
$2.95
EV Truck/SUV
29.5
0
$10.32
$4.72
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Barnegat, NJ
Morning
in Barnegat on Sunday
Local time
7:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Elizabeth, NJ
Morning
in Elizabeth on Sunday
Local time
7:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°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
2 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
1h 35m 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...
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 73.7
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...
17 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 73.7
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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 68.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 93% of the 73.7 miles spent on major thoroughfares. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Garden State Parkway, including a longest stretch of 59.2 miles on this single road. Expect a consistent pace for most of the journey, punctuated by your transitions onto US 9 and Carlton Street. The character of the drive is one of steady movement, designed for covering distance efficiently rather than for leisurely sightseeing.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.2 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and US 9. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near GSP / Garden State Parkway.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.7 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.1 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Barnegat, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp North and Staten Island.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 35m. Total distance: 73.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 35m 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 59.2 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.55 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 Elizabeth, NJ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.1 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Gateway National Recreation Area and Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park (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 Elizabeth, NJ before heading back.
