Stretching 86.7 miles from Manahawkin to Jersey City, this trip typically takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes of driving time. Because the duration is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via West Bay Avenue, NJ 72 West, and the Garden State Parkway Toll North to complete your journey. Budgeting approximately $14 for fuel should cover your travel costs comfortably. This route connects two distinct points within the Northeast region, transitioning you from the coastal environment of Manahawkin toward the urban landscape of Jersey City. It is a straightforward, practical transit that avoids the complexity of multi-day planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.3 miles from Manahawkin, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
64.3 mi
1h 16m
New Jersey Turnpike
14 mi
17m
Lincoln Highway
1.5 mi
2m
NJ 72
1.1 mi
1m
New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
1.1 mi
1m
US 1 Truck
0.7 mi
1m
Duncan Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
GSP Northbound entrance ramp
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 64.3 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Manahawkin, NJ and Jersey City, NJ.
1
Start on (50)
46 ft·3 sec·East Bay Avenue
2
Continue on West Bay Avenue
0.2 mi·17 sec·West Bay Avenue
3
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·19 sec·this road
Toward NJ 72 West
4
Merge onto NJ 72
1.1 mi·1 min·NJ 72
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward GSP Toll NorthUse the right lane.
6
Continue on GSP Northbound entrance ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec·GSP Northbound entrance ramp
Toward GSP North
7
Merge onto GSP
39 mi·46 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·31 sec
9
Continue on GSP
25 mi·30 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Exit 129Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, TrentonUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
12
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·1 min·this road
13
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·16 sec·this road
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
15
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
14 mi·17 min·New Jersey Turnpike
16
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP
1.1 mi·1 min·New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·58 sec
Exit 15EToward US 1 North Truck, US 9 North Truck: Newark, Jersey CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
322 ft·7 sec
Toward US 1 Truck North, US 9 Truck North: Jersey City, Doremus AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward US 1 North Truck, US 9 North Truck: Jersey City
20
Merge onto US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
1.5 mi·2 min·Lincoln Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
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 North, US 9 Truck NorthUse the left lane.
22
Turn right onto Duncan Avenue
0.4 mi·51 sec·Duncan Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Turn left onto Olean Avenue
316 ft·13 sec·Olean Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
Olean Avenue
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is essential, as traffic patterns on the Garden State Parkway can fluctuate significantly throughout the day. Since this is a relatively quick 1.5-hour trip, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits your schedule, though avoiding peak commuting hours is always a smart move. You won't need to plan for lengthy stops given the short distance, allowing you to drive straight through if you prefer. Keep your toll payment method easily accessible before you merge onto the Parkway to ensure a smooth transition through the toll plazas. Factor in the $14 fuel cost when budgeting your trip, and double-check your route on West Bay Avenue before heading out to ensure you are comfortable with the initial local turns.
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 43.3 miles from Manahawkin, NJ, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.3 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 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.3 miles or 52m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jersey City, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Manahawkin, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Manahawkin, NJ
This is one driving day of about 86.6 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Manahawkin, 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 64.3 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 66.6 and 85.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
66.6 mi into trip|~1h 20m in
Take the exit toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Trenton
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 129
Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Trenton
8
83.3 mi into trip|~1h 43m in
Take the exit toward US 1 North Truck, US 9 North Truck: Newark, Jersey City
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.
Exit 15E
Toward US 1 North Truck, US 9 North Truck: Newa...
8
83.7 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 1 Truck North, US 9 Truck North: Jersey City, Doremus Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 1 Truck North, US 9 Truck North: Jers...
7
83.7 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 1 North Truck, US 9 North Truck: Jersey City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 1 North Truck, US 9 North Truck: Jers...
7
85.5 mi into trip|~1h 47m in|US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck
Take the exit onto US 1 Truck; US 9 Truck toward US 1 Truck North, US 9 Truck North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 1 Truck North, US 9 Truck North
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.36 one way
$28.71 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$15.72
$31.45
premium
$4.93
$16.79
$33.59
diesel
$5.61
$19.12
$38.24
Estimated Tolls: $5.96
Garden State Parkway
(64.3 mi)$3.85
New Jersey Turnpike
(15.1 mi)$2.11
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
$14
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: 30.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26
0
$9.09
$4.16
Efficient EV
21.7
0
$7.58
$3.46
EV Truck/SUV
34.6
0
$12.12
$5.54
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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 17, 2026
Origin
Manahawkin, NJ
Morning
in Manahawkin on Sunday
Local time
6:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jersey City, NJ
Morning
in Jersey City on Sunday
Local time
6:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 49m 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
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 83.6
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 86.6
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 74.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you transition between different road types. While the route involves significant time on the Garden State Parkway, it remains a mix of local roads and major thoroughfares rather than a simple interstate grind. You will find that the road's personality shifts as you move away from the local streets of Manahawkin and onto the faster, toll-based sections of the Parkway. Since the highway share is 0% in terms of pure highway-only driving, you should be prepared for varying speed limits and frequent adjustments in your driving pace. Staying alert is key, as the technical nature of these combined roadways keeps the experience engaging from start to finish.
94% 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: 64.3 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 66.6 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.6 miles you will encounter 16 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 66.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.7 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 Manahawkin, NJ and Jersey City, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New York City, Trenton and Njtp North: New York City.
Jersey City is New Jersey's second-largest city. Jersey City sits in Hudson County in the northeastern section of the state, across the Hudson from its older and bigger cousin, New York City, and south of Hoboken. It is frequently referred to as New York’s “sixth borough”.
Until the early 1600s, the area was inhabited by Lenape Indians. The Dutch then settled here as a part of the colony of New Amsterdam. It evolved into an industrial powerhouse, with railroads winding up and down the city (some of these lines are still used today). Although Jersey City declined in the 1960s, an upswing began in the 1980s, and the city was transformed into what it is today.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 49m. Total distance: 86.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.3 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.96 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 Jersey City, 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 66.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.7 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 Jersey City, NJ before heading back.
