Mantua, NJ to Hamilton, NJ is 79 miles and takes about 1 hour 40 minutes via I 295 and Central Jersey Expressway, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region and is entirely within New Jersey. Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of your journey. Given the relatively short duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion. It's a straightforward trip if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B within the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.5 miles from Mantua, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 295
34.8 mi
41m
Central Jersey Expressway
33.6 mi
39m
Mantua Pike
2.8 mi
4m
Garden State Parkway
2.6 mi
3m
South Broad Street
1.3 mi
3m
Broadway
0.7 mi
1m
NJ 33
0.5 mi
<1m
I 195 East
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 34.8 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mantua, NJ and Hamilton, NJ.
1
Start on this road
66 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto NJ 45
2.8 mi·4 min·Mantua Pike
3
Continue on NJ 45; CR 551
1.3 mi·3 min·South Broad Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto Edith Avenue
236 ft·9 sec·Edith Avenue
5
Turn left onto Washington Avenue
0.1 mi·15 sec·Washington Avenue
6
Continue on CR 551
0.2 mi·18 sec·Broadway
7
At end of road, turn left onto CR 551
0.5 mi·45 sec·Broadway
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 295 North: Walt Whitman Bridge
9
Merge onto I 295
35 mi·41 min·I 295
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto Exit 60
0.4 mi·54 sec·Exit 60
Exit 60Toward NJ 29 North, I 195 East: Trenton, BelmarUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 195 East
0.5 mi·58 sec·I 195 East
Toward I 195 East: Belmar
12
Merge onto I 195
34 mi·39 min·Central Jersey Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on NJ 138
0.4 mi·27 sec·NJ 138
14
Take the exit
432 ft·10 sec
Exit 36Toward GSR NorthUse the right lane.
15
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·12 sec·this road
16
Keep slight right at fork
89 ft·2 sec
Toward GSP NorthUse the straight / left lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward GSP NorthUse the straight lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto Garden State Parkway
0.4 mi·1 min·Garden State Parkway
Toward GSP North
19
Merge onto GSP
2.1 mi·2 min·Garden State Parkway
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 100AToward NJ 33 East: Ocean Grove, Bradley BeachUse the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto NJ 33
0.5 mi·58 sec·NJ 33
22
Turn right onto (17)
0.2 mi·31 sec·Old Corlies Avenue
23
Turn right onto Gully Road
155 ft·4 sec·Gully Road
24
Arrive at destination
Gully Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 1 hour and 40-minute drive, you have the flexibility to depart at a time that suits your schedule. There are no specific recommended stops noted, so you can plan your breaks as needed, perhaps utilizing service areas along I 295. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking, as the $13 fuel cost suggests a relatively efficient trip, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Given the highway-centric nature, aim to avoid peak commuting hours if possible to ensure the most straightforward travel.
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 39.5 miles from Mantua, NJ, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34.8 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 17 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.5 miles or 51m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hamilton, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Mantua, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Mantua, NJ
This is one driving day of about 79 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Mantua, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 295 for about 34.8 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 40 and 77.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
40 mi into trip|~51m in|Exit 60
Take the exit onto Exit 60 toward NJ 29 North, I 195 East: Trenton, Belmar
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 60
Toward NJ 29 North, I 195 East: Trenton, Belmar
7
74.9 mi into trip|~1h 33m in
Take the exit toward GSR North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 36
Toward GSR North
8
75.1 mi into trip|~1h 33m in
Keep slight right at fork toward GSP North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward GSP North
8
75.1 mi into trip|~1h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward GSP North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward GSP North
8
77.9 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward NJ 33 East: Ocean Grove, Bradley Beach
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 100A
Toward NJ 33 East: Ocean Grove, Bradley Beach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.10 one way
$26.19 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$14.34
$28.69
premium
$4.93
$15.32
$30.64
diesel
$5.61
$17.44
$34.88
Estimated Tolls: $0.16
Garden State Parkway
(2.6 mi)$0.16
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
$13
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.7
0
$8.30
$3.79
Efficient EV
19.8
0
$6.91
$3.16
EV Truck/SUV
31.6
0
$11.06
$5.06
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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 17, 2026
Origin
Mantua, NJ
Morning
in Mantua on Sunday
Local time
6:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hamilton, NJ
Morning
in Hamilton on Sunday
Local time
6:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
NW 5 to 10 mph19% chanceLive forecast
52°F
Bristol, PA
40 mi in
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
15 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 40m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
Gateway National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
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...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 79
Park Closure: Dead Horse Bay (Brooklyn) Remains Closed to the Public
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive leans heavily towards a highway experience, with 92% of the route utilizing major roadways like I 295 and the Central Jersey Expressway. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 34.8 miles on I 295, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the trip. The overall profile is highway-focused, meaning you'll likely experience smooth, direct travel with limited interactions on local roads. The Mantua Pike is one of the main arteries you'll navigate, contributing to the predominantly high-speed nature of this journey.
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: 34.8 mi on I 295.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 295 and Central Jersey Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 40 miles in near Exit 60.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79 miles you will encounter 18 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 40 miles (Exit 60): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Mantua, NJ and Hamilton, NJ, road signs point toward Belmar and Gsr North.
Belmar
40 mi in|~51m|via Exit 60
Gsr North
74.9 mi in|~1h 33m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 40m. Total distance: 79 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 40m 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 34.8 miles on I 295. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.16 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 Hamilton, 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 40 miles (Exit 60): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Gateway National Recreation Area. 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 Hamilton, NJ before heading back.
