Valenca Restaurant
Near the start, short detour
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Hours: 10:30 am–12 pm
+19083544024
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 45m
Distance
81.2 mi
131 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lincoln Park, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning a trip from Newark to Lincoln Park, expect a concise journey covering 81.2 miles. This route typically takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. You will navigate through the Northeast region using a combination of local streets like Mulberry Street and McCarter Highway before connecting to I-95 South. Budget approximately $13 for fuel to cover the distance. Since the entire trip is easily manageable within a few hours, there is no need to worry about overnight lodging or splitting the drive into multiple days.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.6 miles from Newark, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 61.2 mi | 1h 11m |
| New Jersey Turnpike | 9.4 mi | 11m |
| US 1 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| McCarter Highway | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Exit to GSP and US Route 9 | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| NJ 81 | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| South Barnegat Boulevard | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Mulberry Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Newark, NJ and Lincoln Park, NJ.
Start on CR 510
Turn right onto Mulberry Street
Turn slight right onto NJ 21
Merge onto US 1; US 9
Continue on US 1; US 9
Take the exit
Continue on NJ 81
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
Take the exit onto Exit 11
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP Southbound entrance
Merge onto GSP
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
Take the exit
Turn right onto (105)
Turn right onto West Bay Avenue
Turn right onto CR 8
Turn right onto Village Drive
Arrive at destination
Since this is a relatively short 1 hour and 45 minute trip, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure time. However, given the turn-heavy nature of the route, try to avoid peak congestion hours to ensure a smoother experience on the local roads. Because the total fuel cost is a modest $13, you can easily budget for the trip without complex planning. With zero mandatory stops built into the 81.2-mile distance, you have the freedom to pace yourself however you prefer. My best advice is to keep your GPS active and ready, as the reliance on local streets rather than major highways means you will encounter frequent turns throughout the journey.
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.
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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.6 miles or 54m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lincoln Park, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Newark, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Newark, NJ
This is one driving day of about 81.2 miles and 1h 45m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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.
A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 40.6 miles from Newark, 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 61.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Near the start, short detour
Hours: 10:30 am–12 pm
+19083544024
Filoncino Bakery Cafe
Red Bank, New Jersey
Fiore Rosso Restaurant & Catering
Toms River, New Jersey
Near the start, short detour
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Hours: 10:30 am–12 pm
+19083544024
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Red Bank, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+17323770404
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Toms River, New Jersey
Hours: 5–9 pm
+17322553323
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Linden, New Jersey
Hours: 12 pm–12 am
+19089254166
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Brick Township, New Jersey
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+17327146471
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, ~9 min detour
Staten Island, New York
Hours: 12–9 pm
+17182277200
Visit websiteNear the start, ~11 min detour
South Orange Village, New Jersey
Hours: 12–3 pm
+19737624440
Visit websiteNear the end, ~10 min detour
Manahawkin, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–4 pm
+16095495775
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Newark, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Kearny, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Newark, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Newark, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Perth Amboy, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18774943833
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Tinton Falls, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18665761495
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Tinton Falls, NJ
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Kearny, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, right off the route
Woodbridge, New Jersey
Hours: 6 am–6 pm
+17327453900
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Newark, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+19739005800
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Newark, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+19732683500
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Harrison, NJ
Hours: Open 24 hours
+12012175482
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Perth Amboy, New Jersey
+17326979500
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Staten Island, New York
+17189846046
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Staten Island, New York
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+17187661755
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Staten Island, New York
Hours: Closed
+16316986230
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.4 and 78.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9 toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP Southbound entrance toward GSP South: Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward CR 554 East: Barnegat
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$13.46 one way
$26.92 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $14.74 | $29.49 |
| premium | $4.93 | $15.75 | $31.50 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.93 | $35.86 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.98
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
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.4 | 0 | $8.53 | $3.90 |
| Efficient EV | 20.3 | 0 | $7.10 | $3.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.5 | 0 | $11.37 | $5.20 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (64% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Newark on Sunday
Local time
11:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Lincoln Park on Sunday
Local time
11:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate cruise, this path features a 0% highway share, requiring you to navigate through various local segments. The road demands constant maneuvering rather than long, uninterrupted stretches of high-speed travel. You will find that the personality of the drive is defined by its technical nature, keeping you engaged as you transition from city streets to the local roads leading toward your destination. Expect a hands-on experience that prioritizes navigation through the Northeast's local road network over highway miles.
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 5.4 miles in.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 81.2 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 5.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.2 miles (Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Newark, NJ and Lincoln Park, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp South: Trenton, Gsp, Woodbridge, Gsp South and Perth Amboy.
Njtp South: Trenton
Gsp
Woodbridge
Gsp South
Perth Amboy
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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 45m. Total distance: 81.2 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 (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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