If you are planning a trip from Bayonne to North Cape May, expect a straightforward 150.6-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 5 minutes. This route is designed for efficiency, relying heavily on the Garden State Parkway to move you through New Jersey. Given the duration, it serves perfectly as a one-day trip, allowing you to reach the coast without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $25 for fuel to cover the distance. Since both the origin and destination are within the Northeast, you will remain in a familiar regional environment throughout the drive. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that gets you from the urban north to the southern shore quickly.
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
75.3 miles from Bayonne, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
127.8 mi
2h 28m
West Shore Expressway
8.4 mi
12m
Outerbridge Crossing
3.9 mi
5m
NJ 440
3.5 mi
5m
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Expressway
2.4 mi
3m
Lincoln Boulevard
1.4 mi
2m
Sandman Boulevard
1.2 mi
1m
Shore Road
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 127.8 mi, about 2h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bayonne, NJ and North Cape May, 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
125 mi·2 hr 25 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Turn right onto NJ 109
0.6 mi·1 min·Shore Road
13
Take the exit
274 ft·9 sec
Toward US 9 South: Cape May FerryUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn left onto Sandman Boulevard
1.2 mi·1 min·Sandman Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on US 9
1.2 mi·1 min·Lincoln Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on Lincoln Boulevard
0.2 mi·27 sec·Lincoln Boulevard
17
Turn right onto Pacific Avenue
0.5 mi·2 min·Pacific Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
Pacific Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this drive, try to time your departure to avoid peak commuting hours, as the heavy reliance on the Garden State Parkway can lead to slowdowns. With only one recommended stop planned, you have plenty of flexibility to stretch your legs whenever it suits your schedule. Since the total fuel cost is estimated at $25, topping off your tank before leaving Bayonne is a smart way to ensure a seamless trip. Keep a close eye on your GPS for any shifting traffic patterns along the Parkway, as this remains your primary artery for the entire 150.6-mile trek. Planning for a single, well-timed break will help you maintain your energy for the final approach into North Cape May.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 75.3 miles from Bayonne, NJ, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 127.8 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 33 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.3 miles or 1h 35m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Cape May, 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 150.6 miles and 3h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 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 127.8 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 21.6 — 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
6
21.6 mi into trip|~33m in|GSP / Garden State Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.97 one way
$49.94 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$27.35
$54.69
premium
$4.93
$29.21
$58.41
diesel
$5.61
$33.25
$66.50
Estimated Tolls: $23.67
Outerbridge Crossing
$16.00
Garden State Parkway
(127.8 mi)$7.67
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
$25
Tolls
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.2
0
$15.81
$7.23
Efficient EV
37.7
0
$13.18
$6.02
EV Truck/SUV
60.2
0
$21.08
$9.64
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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 13, 2026
Origin
Bayonne, NJ
Night
in Bayonne on Saturday
Local time
9:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
North Cape May, NJ
Night
in North Cape May on Saturday
Local time
9:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Partly Sunny
SW 15 to 20 mph14% chanceLive 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
20 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
3h 5m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 94% of your time spent on major roads like the Garden State Parkway and the West Shore Expressway. You will spend the vast majority of your trip—127.8 miles to be exact—on a single, uninterrupted stretch of the Parkway. While the initial leg involves crossing the Outerbridge Crossing, the overall experience is characterized by consistent highway speeds rather than technical local maneuvering. Expect a steady, reliable pace as you transition from the northern part of the state toward the southern tip. The road personality is functional and fast, prioritizing direct access over scenic detours.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 127.8 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 150.6 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
225 ft-3 ft
Total Climb
270 ft
Total Descent
293 ft
Highest Point
225 ft
~32.3 mi in
Elevation Range
227 ft
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 North Cape May, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp South and Gsp South: Garden State Parkway South.
Gsp South
18.5 mi in|~28m
Gsp South: Garden State Parkway South
18.7 mi in|~29m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 5m. Total distance: 150.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 127.8 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $23.67 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 North Cape May, 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at North Cape May, NJ, but most travelers stay overnight.
