If you are planning a quick getaway from Jersey City to Manahawkin, expect a straightforward 88.6-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 51 minutes. This trip is perfectly suited as a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can anticipate a fuel budget of approximately $15 for the trip, making it an affordable option for a weekend escape. Because the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, you will stay within the Northeast region for the duration of your travel. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that gets you from the urban environment of New Jersey to the coastal atmosphere of Manahawkin efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.3 miles from Jersey City, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
64.8 mi
1h 15m
New Jersey Turnpike
11.9 mi
14m
US 1 Truck
3 mi
5m
US 1
2.1 mi
2m
NJ 72
1.7 mi
2m
Exit to GSP and US Route 9
1.4 mi
2m
GSP Southbound entrance
0.5 mi
1m
Duncan Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 64.8 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jersey City, NJ and Manahawkin, NJ.
1
Start on Olean Avenue
316 ft·15 sec·Olean Avenue
2
Turn right onto Duncan Avenue
0.4 mi·53 sec·Duncan Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
0.4 mi·44 sec·US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
Use the left lane.
4
Take the exit onto US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
1.9 mi·3 min·US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
Toward US 1 South, US 9 South: Newark Airport, Port Newark Elizabeth SeaportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit onto US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
0.7 mi·1 min·US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
Toward US 1 Truck South, US 9 Truck South: Port Newark, Newark Airport
6
Merge onto US 1; US 9
2.1 mi·2 min·US 1; US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 78 East, I 95, NJTP: New Jersey Turnpike TollUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 78
47 ft·0 sec·I 95/NJTP North Tolls
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95/NJTP North Tolls
0.1 mi·7 sec·I 95/NJTP North Tolls
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: TrentonUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·49 sec
12
Merge onto I 95
12 mi·14 min·New Jersey Turnpike
13
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.
14
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.
15
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.
16
Merge onto GSP
3.0 mi·3 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi·49 sec·Garden State Parkway
18
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
61 mi·1 hr 11 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi·25 sec
Exit 63Toward NJ 72: Long Beach Island, Pemberton
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·40 sec
Toward NJ 72 East: Long Beach Island
21
Merge onto NJ 72
1.7 mi·2 min·NJ 72
Use the right lane.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward US 9 North: Manahawkin
23
Merge onto US 9
0.1 mi·12 sec·Main Street
24
Turn right onto (50)
46 ft·1 sec·East Bay Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
(50)
Trip Plan
Because this route consists entirely of local roads, traffic flow can be unpredictable, so try to plan your departure during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion. While the 1-hour and 51-minute duration is manageable, the constant turns mean you should factor in extra time for navigating intersections. Since there are no designated stops required by the length of the trip, you have the flexibility to pull over whenever you need a break. Keep your $15 fuel budget in mind when filling up, as local road driving can sometimes be less fuel-efficient than consistent highway cruising. Your best strategy is to embrace the local pace and keep a close eye on your GPS to navigate the frequent turns smoothly.
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 44.3 miles from Jersey City, NJ, or about 58m 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 19 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.3 miles or 58m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manahawkin, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Jersey City, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Jersey City, NJ
This is one driving day of about 88.6 miles and 1h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Jersey City, 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 20.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.9 mi into trip|~1m in|US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
Take the exit onto US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck toward US 1 South, US 9 South: Newark Airport, Port Newark Elizabeth Seaport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 1 South, US 9 South: Newark Airport,...
7
5.6 mi into trip|~9m in
Take the exit toward I 78 East, I 95, NJTP: New Jersey Turnpike Toll
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 78 East, I 95, NJTP: New Jersey Turnpi...
8
6.3 mi into trip|~10m 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
19.4 mi into trip|~27m 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
20.8 mi into trip|~29m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.69 one way
$29.38 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$16.09
$32.18
premium
$4.93
$17.18
$34.37
diesel
$5.61
$19.56
$39.12
Estimated Tolls: $5.55
Garden State Parkway
(64.8 mi)$3.88
New Jersey Turnpike
(11.9 mi)$1.67
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
$15
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.6
0
$9.30
$4.25
Efficient EV
22.2
0
$7.75
$3.54
EV Truck/SUV
35.4
0
$12.40
$5.67
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Jersey City, NJ
Late night
in Jersey City on Sunday
Local time
12:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Manahawkin, NJ
Late night
in Manahawkin on Sunday
Local time
12:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°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 51m 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...
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 3.1
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...
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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 12.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. You will navigate via Duncan Avenue, US 1 South, and US 1, which means you will encounter frequent intersections and varying traffic patterns along the way. With a highway share of 0%, this route demands your full attention as you transition off the main city streets and onto local thoroughfares. The road’s personality is defined by its stop-and-go nature, requiring you to stay alert through every turn. You won’t find any long, uninterrupted stretches here, so keep your focus on the road as you make your way toward the coast.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 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?
10/10
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 0.9 miles in near US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 88.6 miles you will encounter 23 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 0.9 miles (US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.3 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 Jersey City, NJ and Manahawkin, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike Toll, Njtp South: Trenton, Gsp, Woodbridge, Gsp South and Perth Amboy.
Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike Toll
5.6 mi in|~9m
Njtp South: Trenton
6.3 mi in|~10m
Gsp
19.4 mi in|~27m|via Exit 11
Woodbridge
19.4 mi in|~27m|via Exit 11
Gsp South
20.8 mi in|~29m
Perth Amboy
20.8 mi in|~29m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 51m. Total distance: 88.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). 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 $5.55 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 Manahawkin, 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 0.9 miles (US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area (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 Manahawkin, NJ before heading back.
