Connecting Manahawkin to Newark covers 84 miles of New Jersey landscape, typically requiring about 1 hour and 29 minutes of travel time. You will navigate using a combination of West Bay Avenue, NJ 72 West, and the Garden State Parkway North to complete the journey. Since this is a relatively quick trip, it works perfectly as a one-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $14 on fuel for the trek. This route is straightforward and keeps you within the Northeast region for the duration of the drive, making it a manageable trip for those traveling between the Jersey Shore area and the northern part of the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.9 miles from Manahawkin, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
64.3 mi
1h 16m
New Jersey Turnpike
9.5 mi
11m
NJ 21
1.9 mi
3m
US 1
1.7 mi
2m
NJ 72
1.1 mi
1m
NJ 81
0.7 mi
1m
Mulberry Street
0.6 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 Newark, 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
9.5 mi·11 min·New Jersey Turnpike
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 13AToward Newark Airport, Elizabeth SeaportUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto NJ 81
0.7 mi·1 min·NJ 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·44 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on US 1; US 9
1.7 mi·2 min·US 1; US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21
1.9 mi·3 min·NJ 21
Toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, DowntownUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
229 ft·7 sec·Chestnut Street
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right onto Mulberry Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Mulberry Street
23
Turn left onto CR 510
0.2 mi·29 sec·Market Street
Use the left lane.
24
Arrive at destination
CR 510
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 29 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns. Since there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you can easily complete the 84-mile distance in one go, though staying aware of your fuel gauge is wise given the $14 estimated cost. Aim to avoid peak commuting hours if you prefer a smoother ride, as the Garden State Parkway can become quite busy. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay vigilant during the transition from NJ 72 West onto the GSP, as the change in road type requires quick adjustments to your speed and lane positioning.
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 41.9 miles from Manahawkin, NJ, or about 50m 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 18 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.9 miles or 50m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newark, 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 83.9 miles and 1h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 81.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.4 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the exit toward GSP Toll North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward GSP Toll North
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
6
67.7 mi into trip|~1h 22m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
8
77.7 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport
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 13A
Toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport
8
81.1 mi into trip|~1h 41m in|NJ 21
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21 toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.91 one way
$27.82 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$15.23
$30.47
premium
$4.93
$16.27
$32.54
diesel
$5.61
$18.52
$37.05
Estimated Tolls: $5.18
Garden State Parkway
(64.3 mi)$3.85
New Jersey Turnpike
(9.5 mi)$1.33
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
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.2
0
$8.81
$4.03
Efficient EV
21
0
$7.34
$3.36
EV Truck/SUV
33.6
0
$11.75
$5.37
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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 17, 2026
Origin
Manahawkin, NJ
Morning
in Manahawkin on Sunday
Local time
6:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Newark, NJ
Morning
in Newark on Sunday
Local time
6:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°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
14 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 47m 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...
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...
15 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 78.2
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
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 81.1
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 that demands your full attention as you transition from local roads onto the Garden State Parkway. While the route involves a mix of local segments and major thoroughfares, you should anticipate a fair amount of maneuvering rather than a monotonous interstate grind. There is no significant highway-only percentage here, so your experience will be defined by the shift from smaller streets to the higher-speed flow of the GSP. Because the drive is under 90 minutes, you won't encounter any exceptionally long, uninterrupted stretches, allowing for a dynamic driving experience that changes character as you progress north.
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 1.4 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 83.9 miles you will encounter 15 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 1.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 66.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Newark, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New York City, Trenton, Njtp North: New York City, Newark Airport and Elizabeth Seaport.
Newark is New Jersey's largest city and second largest in Metro New York. Although one of the great historic cities of the Northeast and the most culture-rich city in the state, Newark is often overlooked in favor of Goliath-like Manhattan and towns along the Hudson River, such as Jersey City and Hoboken. While no longer the industrial powerhouse it once was, Newark remains one of America's major shipping, rail, and air hubs. Public transportation is abundant, making it easy to get to, from, and around the city.
Newark has been economically disadvantaged for some time, and suffers from a bad reputation, often informed by negative stereotyping. Thanks in large part to a nationally high-profile mayor (Cory Booker, now a U.S.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 47m. Total distance: 83.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 47m 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 $5.18 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 Newark, 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 1.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 66.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Newark, NJ before heading back.
