Spanning 89.9 miles through the Northeast, this trip from Brigantine to Middletown is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 56 minutes. Because of the manageable duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $15 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating out of Brigantine via Brigantine Boulevard and Absecon Boulevard transitions you quickly onto the Garden State Parkway. Whether you are heading north for business or a change of pace, this drive offers a reliable link between the two coastal New Jersey communities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.9 miles from Brigantine, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
72.5 mi
1h 24m
Absecon Boulevard
7 mi
10m
Brigantine Boulevard
2.6 mi
4m
West Brigantine Avenue
1.4 mi
3m
East White Horse Pike
1.2 mi
1m
Holland Road
1.1 mi
2m
Van Schoick Road
1 mi
1m
Huron Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 72.5 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brigantine, NJ and Middletown, NJ.
1
Start on this road
348 ft·12 sec·this road
2
Continue on South Roosevelt Boulevard
0.1 mi·28 sec·South Roosevelt Boulevard
3
Turn right onto CR 638
1.4 mi·3 min·West Brigantine Avenue
4
Continue on CR 638
0.3 mi·42 sec·Atlantic Brigantine Boulevard
5
Enter roundabout onto CR 638
91 ft·3 sec·Brigantine Boulevard
6
Continue on CR 638
2.5 mi·4 min·Brigantine Boulevard
7
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 187
0.1 mi·13 sec·Brigantine Boulevard
8
Turn right onto Huron Avenue
0.5 mi·58 sec·Huron Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on NJ 87
0.1 mi·17 sec·Huron Avenue
10
Turn right onto US 30
7.0 mi·10 min·Absecon Boulevard
11
Continue on US 30
1.2 mi·1 min·East White Horse Pike
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward GSP Toll North: Garden State Parkway North
13
Merge onto GSP
13 mi·15 min·Garden State Parkway
14
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
50 mi·58 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·31 sec
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi·9 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto GSP
9.1 mi·10 min·Garden State Parkway
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 114Toward Holmdel, MiddletownUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn right onto CR 52
440 ft·11 sec·Red Hill Road
20
Continue on CR 52
1.0 mi·1 min·Van Schoick Road
21
Turn right onto Holland Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Holland Road
22
Turn left onto Red Hill Road
0.2 mi·33 sec·Red Hill Road
23
Turn right onto Kings Highway
0.3 mi·43 sec·Kings Highway
24
Arrive at destination
CR 50
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak commuting hours on the Garden State Parkway will ensure a smoother ride. You likely will not need scheduled stops for a journey under two hours, but keep in mind that the entire route is non-stop once you hit the main highway. If you are prone to fatigue, take a quick break before merging onto the parkway to ensure you are ready for the 72.5-mile uninterrupted stretch. Keep a payment method ready for tolls, as this route relies heavily on the state's main toll road system. Enjoy the ease of a drive that gets you from the coast to Middletown in under two hours.
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 44.9 miles from Brigantine, NJ, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.5 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 20 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.9 miles or 1h 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Middletown, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brigantine, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Brigantine, NJ
This is one driving day of about 89.9 miles and 1h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Brigantine, 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 72.5 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 1.9 and 86.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.9 mi into trip|~5m in|CR 638 / Brigantine Boulevard
Enter roundabout onto CR 638 / Brigantine Boulevard
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
4.6 mi into trip|~9m in|Huron Avenue
Turn right onto Huron Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
26.8 mi into trip|~39m 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.
5
77.5 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
86.7 mi into trip|~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward Holmdel, Middletown
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 114
Toward Holmdel, Middletown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.90 one way
$29.81 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$16.32
$32.65
premium
$4.93
$17.43
$34.87
diesel
$5.61
$19.85
$39.70
Estimated Tolls: $4.35
Garden State Parkway
(72.5 mi)$4.35
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
$15
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27
0
$9.44
$4.32
Efficient EV
22.5
0
$7.87
$3.60
EV Truck/SUV
36
0
$12.59
$5.75
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
11 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 15, 2026
Origin
Brigantine, NJ
Night
in Brigantine on Saturday
Local time
10:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Middletown, NJ
Night
in Middletown on Saturday
Local time
10:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 56m 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.
Gateway National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
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 89.9
Park Closure: Dead Horse Bay (Brooklyn) Remains Closed to the Public
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...
28 mi from route
~69 min detour
$10
near mile 89.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 81% of your travel time will be spent on major arteries. The heart of the journey is a long, 72.5-mile stretch on the Garden State Parkway, which keeps the drive moving efficiently once you clear the initial local roads. This is not a winding back-road adventure, but rather a consistent, high-speed transit route that minimizes stop-and-go traffic. You will find that the road maintains a steady rhythm, allowing you to settle in comfortably behind the wheel for the majority of the nearly two-hour trip. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive designed for speed and directness.
81% 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: 72.5 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 Absecon Boulevard. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near CR 638 / Brigantine Boulevard.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 89.9 miles you will encounter 17 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 1.9 miles (CR 638 / Brigantine Boulevard): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 4.6 miles (Huron Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 26.8 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Brigantine, NJ to Middletown, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Gsp Toll North: Garden State Parkway North along the way.
Gsp Toll North: Garden State Parkway North
13.4 mi in|~23m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 56m. Total distance: 89.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72.5 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.35 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 Middletown, 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 1.9 miles (CR 638 / Brigantine Boulevard): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 4.6 miles (Huron Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 26.8 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Gateway National Recreation Area and Thomas Edison National Historical Park. 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 Middletown, NJ before heading back.
