Origin
Margate City, NJ
Morning in Margate City on Sunday
Local time
8:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Margate City, NJ to Middletown, NJ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 48m
Distance
86.8 mi
140 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 40m
★
6 AM
1h 48m
8 AM
2h 4m
10 AM
1h 54m
12 PM
1h 52m
3 PM
1h 55m
5 PM
2h 4m
8 PM
1h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Margate City, NJ
Malcolm Garret
Middletown, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Margate City to Middletown is a straightforward 86.8-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 48 minutes. Since this is a quick trip across the Northeast, you can easily complete the entire drive in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the Garden State Parkway, supplemented by Tilton Road and the Downbeach Express. Budgeting approximately $14 for fuel should cover your transit costs comfortably. This route is ideal for those who prefer an efficient, highway-focused drive between these two New Jersey locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.4 miles from Margate City, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 76.5 mi | 1h 29m |
| Tilton Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Downbeach Express | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Holland Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Van Schoick Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| North Jerome Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Margate Boulevard | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| East Mill Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 76.5 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Margate City, NJ and Middletown, NJ.
1
Start on CR 629; OD
10 ft
·
3 sec
·
Ventnor Avenue
2
Turn right onto CR 563
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Jerome Avenue
3
Continue on CR 563
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Downbeach Express
4
Continue on CR 563
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
Margate Boulevard
5
Continue on CR 563
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
East Mill Road
6
Turn slight right onto CR 563
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Tilton Road
Use the slight right / right lanes.
7
Turn right onto CR 651
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
Fire Road
Use the right lane.
8
Turn left onto US 40; US 322
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Black Horse Pike
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward GSP Toll North
10
Merge onto GSP
17 mi
·
19 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
50 mi
·
58 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
31 sec
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto GSP
9.1 mi
·
10 min
·
Garden State Parkway
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 114
Toward Holmdel, Middletown
Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn right onto CR 52
440 ft
·
11 sec
·
Red Hill Road
17
Continue on CR 52
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Van Schoick Road
18
Turn right onto Holland Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Holland Road
19
Turn left onto Red Hill Road
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Red Hill Road
20
Turn right onto Kings Highway
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Kings Highway
21
Arrive at destination
CR 50
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 48 minutes, you have significant flexibility in your departure time. Since this route is almost entirely highway-based, plan your departure to avoid peak commuting hours on the Garden State Parkway to ensure the smoothest possible experience. You won't need to schedule formal stops for this distance, but keeping your fuel tank in mind is wise given the $14 estimated cost. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to keep your toll transponder ready, as the Garden State Parkway is a major artery that will require frequent toll interactions throughout your 86.8-mile trek.
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 43.4 miles from Margate City, NJ, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.5 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 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.4 miles or 53m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Middletown, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Margate City, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Margate City, NJ
This is one driving day of about 86.8 miles and 1h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Margate 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 76.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 43.4 miles from Margate City, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Garden State Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 5.8 and 83.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
5.8 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
CR 651 / Fire Road
Turn right onto CR 651 / Fire Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
6.4 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the exit toward GSP Toll North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward GSP Toll North
5
6.6 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
23.7 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
GSP / Garden State Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
83.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward Holmdel, Middletown
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 114
Toward Holmdel, Middletown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.39 one way
$28.78 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $15.76 | $31.52 |
| premium | $4.93 | $16.83 | $33.67 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.16 | $38.33 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.59
Garden State Parkway
(76.5 mi)
$4.59
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: 30.4 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 | $9.11 | $4.17 |
| Efficient EV | 21.7 | 0 | $7.59 | $3.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.7 | 0 | $12.15 | $5.56 |
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.
Destination
Middletown, NJ
Morning in Middletown on Sunday
Local time
8:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°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
8 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 48m 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.
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 86.8
Park Closure: Dead Horse Bay (Brooklyn) Remains Closed to the Public
Park Closure: Jacob Riis Park Access Restrictions
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...
28 mi from route
~69 min detour
$10
near mile 86.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient experience, as 88% of this trip is spent on highways. You will settle into a long, consistent rhythm once you merge onto the Garden State Parkway, which accounts for a 76.5-mile stretch of your total time behind the wheel. The transition from the local streets of Margate City onto the major thoroughfares is quick, shifting the drive from a local pace to a steady highway cruise. Because the route is dominated by high-speed transit, the character of the drive is functional and direct rather than technical or winding.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.5 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 Tilton Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.8 miles in near CR 651 / Fire Road.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.8 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 5.8 miles (CR 651 / Fire Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 6.6 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Margate City, NJ to Middletown, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Gsp Toll North along the way.
Gsp Toll North
6.4 mi in
|
~10m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 48m. Total distance: 86.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76.5 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.59 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 Middletown, 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 5.8 miles (CR 651 / Fire Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 6.6 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Gateway National Recreation Area and Thomas Edison National Historical Park. 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 Middletown, NJ before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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