This 120.6-mile drive from Bayonne, NJ to Brigantine, NJ is a straightforward trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 38 minutes. It's easily manageable as a single-day excursion, so you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. The estimated fuel cost is around $20, making it a budget-friendly option. You'll spend most of your time on major parkways and expressways, so expect a direct, highway-focused experience. This route keeps you within the Northeast region, specifically within New Jersey for its entirety.
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
60.3 miles from Bayonne, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
87.9 mi
1h 42m
West Shore Expressway
8.4 mi
12m
Absecon Boulevard
7 mi
11m
Outerbridge Crossing
3.9 mi
5m
NJ 440
3.5 mi
5m
Brigantine Boulevard
2.6 mi
4m
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Expressway
2.4 mi
3m
West Brigantine Avenue
1.4 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 87.9 mi, about 1h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bayonne, NJ and Brigantine, NJ.
1
Start on Broadway
205 ft·9 sec·Broadway
2
Turn right onto East 30th Street
0.3 mi·56 sec·East 30th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn slight right onto NJ 440
3.5 mi·5 min·NJ 440
4
Continue on NY 440
2.4 mi·3 min·Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Expressway
5
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 440
8.4 mi·12 min·West Shore Expressway
Exit 5Toward NY 440 South: Outerbridge CrossingUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on NY 440
3.9 mi·5 min·Outerbridge Crossing
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward US 9 South, GSP SouthUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward GSP South: Garden State Parkway SouthUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto GSP
2.0 mi·2 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi·49 sec·Garden State Parkway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
85 mi·1 hr 39 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·1 min
Exit 40Toward US 30 East: Absecon, Atlantic CityUse the right lane.
13
Merge onto US 30
1.3 mi·2 min·White Horse Pike
14
Continue on US 30
6.9 mi·11 min·Absecon Boulevard
15
Take the exit
187 ft·6 sec
Toward Acua Wind Farm
16
Continue on Absecon Boulevard
522 ft·15 sec·Absecon Boulevard
17
Turn left onto North Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
151 ft·7 sec·North Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
18
Continue on NJ 87
0.6 mi·1 min·Huron Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
19
Turn left onto NJ 87
2.6 mi·4 min·Brigantine Boulevard
Use the left lane.
20
Enter roundabout onto CR 638
122 ft·4 sec·Atlantic Brigantine Boulevard
21
Continue on CR 638
0.3 mi·41 sec·Atlantic Brigantine Boulevard
22
Continue on CR 638
1.4 mi·3 min·West Brigantine Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Turn left onto South Roosevelt Boulevard
0.1 mi·26 sec·South Roosevelt Boulevard
24
Enter roundabout
190 ft·6 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given this route's manageable 2-hour 38-minute duration, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best, though an early start can help you beat any potential traffic. With only one recommended stop and 85% of the drive on highways, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 87.9-mile stretch on the Garden State Parkway, as services might be less frequent than on local roads. Planning your single stop strategically along this long stretch will be key to a comfortable journey.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 60.3 miles from Bayonne, NJ, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.9 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 27 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.3 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brigantine, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bayonne, 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 Bayonne, NJ
This is one driving day of about 120.6 miles and 2h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Bayonne, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 87.9 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 106.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|East 30th Street
Turn right onto East 30th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
6.2 mi into trip|~9m in|NY 440 / West Shore Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 440 / West Shore Expressway toward NY 440 South: Outerbridge Crossing
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5
Toward NY 440 South: Outerbridge Crossing
7
18.5 mi into trip|~28m in
Take the exit toward US 9 South, GSP South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 9 South, GSP South
8
18.7 mi into trip|~29m in
Keep slight right at fork toward GSP South: Garden State Parkway South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward GSP South: Garden State Parkway South
8
106.8 mi into trip|~2h 12m in
Take the exit toward US 30 East: Absecon, Atlantic City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 40
Toward US 30 East: Absecon, Atlantic City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.99 one way
$39.99 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$21.90
$43.80
premium
$4.93
$23.39
$46.78
diesel
$5.61
$26.63
$53.25
Estimated Tolls: $21.27
Outerbridge Crossing
$16.00
Garden State Parkway
(87.9 mi)$5.27
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
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.2 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
36.2
0
$12.66
$5.79
Efficient EV
30.2
0
$10.55
$4.82
EV Truck/SUV
48.2
0
$16.88
$7.72
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Bayonne, NJ
Night
in Bayonne on Saturday
Local time
10:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Brigantine, NJ
Night
in Brigantine on Saturday
Local time
10:49 PM
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 38m 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...
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...
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 8.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a largely highway-focused drive, with 85% of the journey on major roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 87.9 miles, primarily on the Garden State Parkway. This means you'll experience consistent speeds and minimal disruptions for a significant portion of the trip. The primary roads guiding you are the Garden State Parkway, West Shore Expressway, and Absecon Boulevard, suggesting a progression from parkway driving to more direct expressway travel as you near your destination.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.9 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 West Shore Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East 30th Street.
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 16 significant decision points across 120.6 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: near the start (East 30th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles (NY 440 / West Shore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.5 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 Bayonne, NJ and Brigantine, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp South, Gsp South: Garden State Parkway South and Atlantic City.
Gsp South
18.5 mi in|~28m
Gsp South: Garden State Parkway South
18.7 mi in|~29m
Atlantic City
106.8 mi in|~2h 12m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 38m. Total distance: 120.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.9 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $21.27 in tolls one way, starting with Outerbridge Crossing. 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 Brigantine, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East 30th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles (NY 440 / West Shore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.5 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, 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 Brigantine, NJ before heading back.
