Traveling from Newark to Manahawkin covers 84.5 miles, typically taking about 1 hour and 47 minutes to complete. This trip is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach the destination efficiently without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $14 for fuel to cover the distance. The route begins in the urban Northeast region and transitions toward the coastal areas of New Jersey. Since there are no required stops, you can easily manage the drive in one go, making it a straightforward connection between two distinct points in the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.2 miles from Newark, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
64.8 mi
1h 15m
New Jersey Turnpike
9.4 mi
11m
US 1
1.7 mi
2m
NJ 72
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
Mulberry Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 64.8 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newark, NJ and Manahawkin, NJ.
1
Start on CR 510
0.2 mi·34 sec·Market Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Turn right onto Mulberry Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Mulberry Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn slight right onto NJ 21
1.5 mi·3 min·McCarter Highway
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto US 1; US 9
0.2 mi·17 sec·US 1; US 9
5
Continue on US 1; US 9
1.5 mi·2 min·US 1; US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
7
Continue on NJ 81
1.1 mi·2 min·NJ 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
315 ft·7 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: TrentonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
10
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
9.4 mi·11 min·New Jersey Turnpike
11
Take the exit onto Exit 11
1.4 mi·2 min·Exit to GSP and US Route 9
Exit 11Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, WoodbridgeUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge, Perth AmboyUse the slight left lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP Southbound entrance
0.5 mi·1 min·GSP Southbound entrance
Toward GSP South: Garden State ParkwayUse the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto GSP
3.0 mi·3 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi·49 sec·Garden State Parkway
16
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
61 mi·1 hr 11 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi·25 sec
Exit 63Toward NJ 72: Long Beach Island, Pemberton
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·40 sec
Toward NJ 72 East: Long Beach Island
19
Merge onto NJ 72
1.7 mi·2 min·NJ 72
Use the right lane.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward US 9 North: Manahawkin
21
Merge onto US 9
0.1 mi·12 sec·Main Street
22
Turn right onto (50)
46 ft·1 sec·East Bay Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
(50)
Trip Plan
Given the local nature of this 1-hour and 47-minute drive, flexibility is your greatest advantage when planning your departure time. Since the route is comprised entirely of local roads, monitor your GPS closely to account for potential congestion on the turns leading out of Newark. Keep your fuel budget of $14 in mind, as local roads often feature more frequent stop-and-go traffic than major interstates. Because this is a relatively short trip, you do not need to worry about formal rest intervals, but you should prioritize comfortable footwear for the active steering required. Pack some water and snacks for the car, as the constant turns may make it difficult to pull over for quick breaks.
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 42.2 miles from Newark, NJ, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.8 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 19 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.2 miles or 56m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manahawkin, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 84.5 miles and 1h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Newark, 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 64.8 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.4 and 82.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
5.4 mi into trip|~11m in
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
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
8
15.2 mi into trip|~23m in|Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 11
Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbri...
8
16.6 mi into trip|~25m in
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
Use the slight left lane.
Toward GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Pa...
7
16.9 mi into trip|~26m in|GSP Southbound entrance
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP Southbound entrance toward GSP South: Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward GSP South: Garden State Parkway
7
82.3 mi into trip|~1h 43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 72 East: Long Beach Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward NJ 72 East: Long Beach Island
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.01 one way
$28.02 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$15.34
$30.69
premium
$4.93
$16.39
$32.78
diesel
$5.61
$18.66
$37.31
Estimated Tolls: $5.19
Garden State Parkway
(64.8 mi)$3.88
New Jersey Turnpike
(9.4 mi)$1.31
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: 29.6 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
25.3
0
$8.87
$4.06
Efficient EV
21.1
0
$7.39
$3.38
EV Truck/SUV
33.8
0
$11.83
$5.41
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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Newark, NJ
Morning
in Newark on Sunday
Local time
10:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Manahawkin, NJ
Morning
in Manahawkin on Sunday
Local time
10:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°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 cooler 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...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 5.8
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 2.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous highway cruise, as this route features 0% highway share. You will navigate through local corridors, starting on Mulberry Street and McCarter Highway before transitioning to I-95 South. Because the path relies on local roads, you should remain alert for frequent turns and changing traffic patterns. The journey lacks long, uninterrupted stretches, meaning you will stay engaged with the wheel throughout the entire 84.5-mile trip. This profile demands more active driving than a standard interstate commute.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.8 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 5.4 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 84.5 miles you will encounter 20 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Newark, NJ and Manahawkin, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp South: Trenton, Gsp, Woodbridge, Gsp South and 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 47m. Total distance: 84.5 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 (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.8 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.19 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 Manahawkin, 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 5.4 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.
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 Manahawkin, NJ before heading back.
