Elizabeth, NJ to Beach Haven, NJ is 91.7 miles and takes about 2 hours via Garden State Parkway and NJ 72, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region and entirely within New Jersey, making it a straightforward local excursion. It's a highway-focused drive, so expect efficient travel time to your destination. The recommended duration of 1 day means you can easily complete this drive and enjoy your destination without needing an overnight stay. Consider this route for a quick getaway from the urban bustle.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.8 miles from Elizabeth, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
64.8 mi
1h 15m
NJ 72
7.1 mi
10m
New Jersey Turnpike
6.9 mi
7m
Long Beach Boulevard
4.5 mi
8m
North Bay Avenue
1.8 mi
3m
Exit to GSP and US Route 9
1.4 mi
2m
US 1
1.1 mi
1m
Central Avenue
0.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 64.8 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabeth, NJ and Beach Haven, NJ.
1
Start on this road
34 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto East Jersey Street
0.2 mi·38 sec·East Jersey Street
3
Turn right onto US 1; US 9
1.1 mi·1 min·US 1; US 9
4
Enter roundabout onto NJ 439
0.1 mi·18 sec·Bayway
5
Continue on NJ 439
0.6 mi·1 min·Bayway
6
Turn right onto Brunswick Avenue
0.1 mi·19 sec·Brunswick Avenue
Use the right lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward I 95 Toll, NJTP Toll: NJ Turnpike
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·11 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: TrentonUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·37 sec
Use the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
6.9 mi·7 min·New Jersey Turnpike
11
Take the exit onto Exit 11
1.4 mi·2 min·Exit to GSP and US Route 9
Exit 11Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, WoodbridgeUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge, Perth AmboyUse the slight left lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP Southbound entrance
0.5 mi·1 min·GSP Southbound entrance
Toward GSP South: Garden State ParkwayUse the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto GSP
3.0 mi·3 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi·49 sec·Garden State Parkway
16
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
61 mi·1 hr 11 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi·25 sec
Exit 63Toward NJ 72: Long Beach Island, Pemberton
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·40 sec
Toward NJ 72 East: Long Beach Island
19
Merge onto NJ 72
7.1 mi·10 min·NJ 72
Use the right lane.
20
Turn right onto CR 89
0.9 mi·2 min·Central Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
At end of road, turn left onto (89)
366 ft·16 sec·West 28th Street
22
Turn right onto CR 607
4.5 mi·8 min·Long Beach Boulevard
Use the right lane.
23
Continue on CR 607
1.8 mi·3 min·North Bay Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
CR 607
Trip Plan
Given the short 2-hour duration, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best, though an early start can help you maximize your time at the beach. There are no specific recommended stops, so you can push through to Beach Haven if you prefer. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is around $15, and it's wise to fill up before heading out to avoid any potential price differences on the parkway. The longest stretch is on the Garden State Parkway, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment.
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 45.8 miles from Elizabeth, NJ, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.8 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 20 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.8 miles or 57m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Beach Haven, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Elizabeth, 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 Elizabeth, NJ
This is one driving day of about 91.7 miles and 2h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Elizabeth, 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 64.8 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.6 and 77.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
2.6 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
8
10.1 mi into trip|~14m in|Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9
Take the exit onto Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9 toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge
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 11
Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbri...
8
11.5 mi into trip|~16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Pa...
7
11.8 mi into trip|~17m in|GSP Southbound entrance
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP Southbound entrance toward GSP South: Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward GSP South: Garden State Parkway
7
77.1 mi into trip|~1h 34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 72 East: Long Beach Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward NJ 72 East: Long Beach Island
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.20 one way
$30.41 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$16.65
$33.30
premium
$4.93
$17.78
$35.57
diesel
$5.61
$20.25
$40.49
Estimated Tolls: $4.85
Garden State Parkway
(64.8 mi)$3.88
New Jersey Turnpike
(6.9 mi)$0.97
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
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.5
0
$9.63
$4.40
Efficient EV
22.9
0
$8.02
$3.67
EV Truck/SUV
36.7
0
$12.84
$5.87
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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 20, 2026
Origin
Elizabeth, NJ
Late night
in Elizabeth on Tuesday
Local time
5:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Beach Haven, NJ
Late night
in Beach Haven on Tuesday
Local time
5:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°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
8 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 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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 3.2
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 89% of the route utilizing major roadways like the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 64.8 miles on the Garden State Parkway, which provides a consistent pace for most of the journey. The transition to NJ 72 marks a shift as you approach the coastal area. Overall, anticipate a smooth and relatively fast-paced experience with minimal local road detours for the majority of your travel time.
89% 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: 64.8 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 NJ 72. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 20 significant decision points across 91.7 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 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.1 miles (Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.5 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 Elizabeth, NJ and Beach Haven, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp, Woodbridge, Gsp South, Perth Amboy and Pemberton.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h. Total distance: 91.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.8 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.85 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 Beach Haven, 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 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.1 miles (Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.5 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 Beach Haven, NJ before heading back.
