Merchantville, NJ to Bayonne, NJ is 80.8 miles and takes about 1h 45m via New Jersey Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This straightforward, highway-focused drive keeps you within the Northeast region, specifically traversing New Jersey for its entirety. It's a practical option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently without much fuss. Given its short duration and minimal stops, it's ideal for a same-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination with plenty of time to spare.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.4 miles from Merchantville, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
63.4 mi
1h 13m
Bayonne Bridge
3.5 mi
5m
Church Road
1.9 mi
3m
Forest Avenue
1.7 mi
3m
Goethals Bridge
1.6 mi
2m
Kaighns Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
Maple Avenue
1.4 mi
3m
NJ 73
0.7 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 63.4 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Merchantville, NJ and Bayonne, NJ.
1
Start on this road
206 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Myrtle Avenue
307 ft·17 sec·Myrtle Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 130
0.1 mi·7 sec·South Crescent Boulevard
4
Take the exit
133 ft·4 sec
5
Turn straight onto Maple Avenue
1.4 mi·3 min·Maple Avenue
6
Turn slight right onto CR 616
1.8 mi·2 min·Church Road
Use the left lane.
7
Turn slight left onto CR 616; CR 627
0.1 mi·15 sec·Church Road
Toward Erlton, Evesboro, Maple Shade, All Turns
8
Turn right onto NJ 38
1.5 mi·2 min·Kaighns Avenue
Use the right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·46 sec
Toward NJ 73 South: Marlton
10
Merge onto NJ-73
0.5 mi·49 sec·NJ-73
11
Continue on NJ 73
0.7 mi·46 sec·NJ 73
Use the right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJTP: New Jersey Turnpike
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJTP North: New YorkUse the straight / right lanes.
14
Merge onto NJTP
15 mi·16 min·New Jersey Turnpike
15
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP
49 mi·56 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
1.6 mi·2 min
Exit 13Toward I 278: Elizabeth, Staten IslandUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto I 278
1.6 mi·2 min·Goethals Bridge
18
Continue on I 278
0.4 mi·37 sec·Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
149 ft·3 sec
Exit 4Toward Forest Avenue, Gulf AvenueUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·33 sec
Use the slight left lane.
21
Turn straight onto Forest Avenue
1.7 mi·3 min·Forest Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
22
Turn left onto Trantor Place
0.1 mi·18 sec·Trantor Place
Use the left lane.
23
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward NY 440 North: Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Expressway, Bayonne Bridge
24
Merge onto NY 440
0.3 mi·26 sec·Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Expressway
25
Continue on NY 440
3.5 mi·5 min·Bayonne Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn left onto East 30th Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·East 30th Street
Use the left lane.
27
Turn left onto Avenue E
268 ft·11 sec·Avenue E
28
Turn right onto East 29th Street
0.1 mi·37 sec·East 29th Street
29
Turn right onto Broadway
54 ft·1 sec·Broadway
30
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
For this 80.8-mile journey, leaving any time of day should be manageable given the 1h 45m estimated duration, though avoiding peak commute hours on the New Jersey Turnpike is always a good idea. With only one main road and a short travel time, you won't need many stops, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge as the $13 budget suggests a direct, efficient trip. The longest stretch is a substantial 63.4 miles on the Turnpike, so ensure you have entertainment or are comfortable with extended highway driving. Consider fueling up before you depart Merchantville to maximize your time on the road.
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 40.4 miles from Merchantville, NJ, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.4 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 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.4 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bayonne, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Merchantville, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Merchantville, NJ
This is one driving day of about 80.8 miles and 1h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Merchantville, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New Jersey Turnpike for about 63.4 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.9 and 74.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
6.9 mi into trip|~13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJTP North: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward NJTP North: New York
6
22 mi into trip|~31m in|NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
70.8 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward I 278: Elizabeth, Staten Island
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 13
Toward I 278: Elizabeth, Staten Island
8
74.4 mi into trip|~1h 33m in
Take the exit toward Forest Avenue, Gulf Avenue
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 4
Toward Forest Avenue, Gulf Avenue
7
74.4 mi into trip|~1h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.40 one way
$26.79 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$14.67
$29.34
premium
$4.93
$15.67
$31.34
diesel
$5.61
$17.84
$35.68
Estimated Tolls: $40.87
Goethals Bridge
$16.00
Bayonne Bridge
$16.00
New Jersey Turnpike
(63.4 mi)$8.87
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
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.3 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
24.2
0
$8.48
$3.88
Efficient EV
20.2
0
$7.07
$3.23
EV Truck/SUV
32.3
0
$11.31
$5.17
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 15, 2026
Origin
Merchantville, NJ
Late night
in Merchantville on Sunday
Local time
12:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bayonne, NJ
Late night
in Bayonne on Sunday
Local time
12:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
45°F
West Windsor, NJ
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 45m 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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
$10
near mile 72.4
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...
13 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 80.8
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...
17 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 80.8
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 72.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for 81% of this trip, primarily utilizing the New Jersey Turnpike. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 63.4 miles on the Turnpike, so settle in for a consistent pace. While predominantly highway, the final leg may involve local roads like Church Road as you approach Bayonne. This route offers little in the way of winding backroads, emphasizing direct travel over scenic detours.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.4 mi on New Jersey Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and Bayonne Bridge. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.9 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 80.8 miles you will encounter 24 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 6.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22 miles (NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Merchantville, NJ and Bayonne, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York and Staten Island.
Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike
6.4 mi in|~11m
Njtp North: New York
6.9 mi in|~13m
Staten Island
70.8 mi in|~1h 27m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 45m. Total distance: 80.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.4 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $40.87 in tolls one way, starting with Goethals Bridge. 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 Bayonne, 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 6.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22 miles (NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Gateway National Recreation Area and Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park (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 Bayonne, NJ before heading back.
