Traveling from Elizabeth to Margate City is a straightforward 111.6-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 17 minutes. Because the route is compact and efficient, it works perfectly as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach the coast without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway before finishing on local roads like Tilton Road. With an estimated fuel cost of approximately $18, this is an affordable excursion for those looking to escape the Northeast corridor for the day. While the drive is simple, keeping your departure time flexible will help you manage the flow of traffic along these major arteries.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.8 miles from Elizabeth, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
92.9 mi
1h 48m
New Jersey Turnpike
6.9 mi
7m
Tilton Road
2.4 mi
4m
Downbeach Express
1.8 mi
2m
Exit to GSP and US Route 9
1.4 mi
2m
US 1
1.1 mi
1m
North Jerome Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
Bayway
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 92.9 mi, about 1h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabeth, NJ and Margate City, 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
89 mi·1 hr 43 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 36Toward CR 563: Northfield, Margate CityUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn straight onto CR 563
2.4 mi·4 min·Tilton Road
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on CR 563
0.5 mi·46 sec·East Mill Road
20
Continue on CR 563
0.5 mi·48 sec·Margate Boulevard
21
Continue on CR 563
1.8 mi·2 min·Downbeach Express
22
Continue on CR 563
0.8 mi·1 min·North Jerome Avenue
23
At end of road, turn left onto CR 629; OD
10 ft·0 sec·Ventnor Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Arrive at destination
CR 629; OD
Trip Plan
To ensure a smooth arrival in Margate City, try to avoid peak commuting hours when the Garden State Parkway experiences heavy volume. Since the entire 111.6-mile route is designed to be completed in one go, you won't need to worry about planning overnight stops or long rest breaks. Keep your $18 fuel budget in mind, but remember to factor in potential tolls, which are common on these specific New Jersey highways. A helpful tip for this route is to monitor real-time traffic reports before you leave Elizabeth, as even a minor delay on the Parkway can impact your 2-hour and 17-minute travel estimate. Staying alert during the long highway stretches will keep you focused until you reach your destination.
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 55.8 miles from Elizabeth, NJ, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.9 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 25 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.8 miles or 1h 9m 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 50m
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 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 111.6 miles and 2h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 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 92.9 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.6 and 105.2 — 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
8
105.2 mi into trip|~2h 6m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.50 one way
$37.00 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$20.26
$40.53
premium
$4.93
$21.64
$43.29
diesel
$5.61
$24.64
$49.28
Estimated Tolls: $6.54
Garden State Parkway
(92.9 mi)$5.57
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
$19
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.5
0
$11.72
$5.36
Efficient EV
27.9
0
$9.76
$4.46
EV Truck/SUV
44.6
0
$15.62
$7.14
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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 15, 2026
Origin
Elizabeth, NJ
Morning
in Elizabeth on Sunday
Local time
6:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Margate City, NJ
Morning
in Margate City on Sunday
Local time
6:22 AM
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
10 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 17m 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
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 3.8
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?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 92% of your trip is spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a long, steady rhythm during your 92.9-mile stretch on the Garden State Parkway, which serves as the backbone of your commute. The personality of this drive is functional and direct, trading complex scenery for consistent interstate travel. As you approach the final leg of the trip, the character shifts from the fast-paced flow of the Parkway to the more localized transition of Tilton Road. You should anticipate a predictable, albeit busy, drive that prioritizes speed and efficiency over winding backroads.
92% 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: 92.9 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 New Jersey Turnpike. 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 17 significant decision points across 111.6 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: 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 Margate City, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp, Woodbridge, Gsp South, Perth Amboy and Cr 563: Northfield.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 17m. Total distance: 111.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 92.9 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.54 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 2.6 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 Margate City, NJ before heading back.
