If you are looking for a straightforward getaway from Edison to Margate City, this 105-mile journey is an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. You can expect to spend about 2 hours and 9 minutes behind the wheel, making it a very manageable trek for a weekend escape. Budgeting roughly $17 for fuel should cover your travel costs comfortably. Since the entire route stays within New Jersey, you will remain in the Northeast region from start to finish. Whether you are heading to the coast for a quick visit or a longer stay, the simplicity of this trip allows for a stress-free transition from the central part of the state to the beach.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.5 miles from Edison, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
91.6 mi
1h 47m
Tilton Road
2.4 mi
4m
I 287
2 mi
2m
Lincoln Highway
1.9 mi
3m
Downbeach Express
1.8 mi
2m
NJ 440
1.8 mi
2m
North Jerome Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
Margate Boulevard
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 91.6 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Edison, NJ and Margate City, NJ.
1
Start on this road
175 ft·12 sec·this road
2
Continue on Reed Street
348 ft·20 sec·Reed Street
3
Turn left onto Central Avenue
345 ft·18 sec·Central Avenue
4
Turn right onto CR 529
0.4 mi·1 min·Plainfield Avenue
5
Turn left onto NJ 27
1.9 mi·3 min·Lincoln Highway
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward I 287 South, NJTP, GSP
7
Merge onto I 287
2.0 mi·2 min·I 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on NJ 440
1.8 mi·2 min·NJ 440
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward GSP SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto GSP
1.7 mi·2 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi·49 sec·Garden State Parkway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
89 mi·1 hr 43 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 36Toward CR 563: Northfield, Margate CityUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn straight onto CR 563
2.4 mi·4 min·Tilton Road
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on CR 563
0.5 mi·46 sec·East Mill Road
16
Continue on CR 563
0.5 mi·48 sec·Margate Boulevard
17
Continue on CR 563
1.8 mi·2 min·Downbeach Express
18
Continue on CR 563
0.8 mi·1 min·North Jerome Avenue
19
At end of road, turn left onto CR 629; OD
10 ft·0 sec·Ventnor Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
CR 629; OD
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours on the Garden State Parkway is always a smart move. Because there are no mandatory stops required to reach your destination, you can easily complete the trip in one go without needing to plan for breaks. Keep in mind that your fuel costs will hover around $17, so topping off your tank before you leave Edison is a simple way to ensure you don't have to worry about stops along the way. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, use that 2-hour window to map out your arrival time precisely, as the lack of scheduled stops makes timing your departure the most critical part of your planning.
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 52.5 miles from Edison, NJ, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.6 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 23 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.5 miles or 1h 5m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Margate City, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Edison, 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 Edison, NJ
This is one driving day of about 105 miles and 2h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Edison, 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 91.6 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.7 and 105 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.7 mi into trip|~6m in|I 287
Merge onto I 287
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
6.5 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the exit toward GSP South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward GSP South
6
9.4 mi into trip|~15m 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.
8
98.6 mi into trip|~1h 59m in
Take the exit toward CR 563: Northfield, Margate City
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 36
Toward CR 563: Northfield, Margate City
6
105 mi into trip|~2h 9m in|CR 629; OD / Ventnor Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto CR 629; OD / Ventnor Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.41 one way
$34.82 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$19.07
$38.13
premium
$4.93
$20.36
$40.73
diesel
$5.61
$23.18
$46.37
Estimated Tolls: $5.49
Garden State Parkway
(91.6 mi)$5.49
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
$17
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.5
0
$11.02
$5.04
Efficient EV
26.3
0
$9.19
$4.20
EV Truck/SUV
42
0
$14.70
$6.72
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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
Edison, NJ
Night
in Edison on Saturday
Local time
10:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Margate City, NJ
Night
in Margate City on Saturday
Local time
10:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
38°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
33 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
2h 9m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 91% of your trip spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the Garden State Parkway, which accounts for a 91.6-mile uninterrupted stretch of your travel. While you start by navigating via I-287, the drive quickly settles into a consistent interstate pace. As you approach your destination, the route transitions from these high-speed lanes onto Tilton Road for the final leg. Expect a steady, predictable rhythm that prioritizes efficiency over technical winding roads, allowing you to focus on reaching the shore.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.6 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Tilton Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in near I 287.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 105 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 2.7 miles (I 287): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 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.
Between Edison, NJ and Margate City, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp South and Cr 563: Northfield.
Gsp South
6.5 mi in|~11m
Cr 563: Northfield
98.6 mi in|~1h 59m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 9m. Total distance: 105 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 91.6 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.49 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 Margate City, 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 2.7 miles (I 287): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Margate City, NJ before heading back.
