If you are planning to travel the 144 miles from North Wildwood to Bayonne, expect a straightforward journey that typically takes about 3 hours. This trip is perfectly suited for a single day, as it is designed to be a quick, highway-focused transit through the Northeast corridor. You should budget approximately $24 for fuel to cover the distance. Because this route relies heavily on major arteries, it is a practical choice for those who prioritize efficiency over local meandering. Whether you are heading north for business or a quick change of scenery, the simplicity of this drive makes it an easy addition to your calendar.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
72 miles from North Wildwood, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
120 mi
2h 20m
West Shore Expressway
5.4 mi
8m
Bayonne Bridge
3.5 mi
5m
NJ 440
3.2 mi
4m
North Wildwood Boulevard
3.1 mi
4m
Victory Boulevard
2.5 mi
5m
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Expressway
1.5 mi
2m
West Spruce Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 120 mi, about 2h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Wildwood, NJ and Bayonne, NJ.
1
Start on East 12th Avenue
0.1 mi·30 sec·East 12th Avenue
2
Turn right onto CR 621; OD
0.5 mi·43 sec·New Jersey Avenue
3
Continue on CR 621; OD
0.3 mi·36 sec·West Anglesea Drive
4
Continue on NJ 147; OD
0.5 mi·52 sec·West Spruce Avenue
5
Continue on NJ 147; OD
3.1 mi·4 min·North Wildwood Boulevard
6
Turn slight right
432 ft·15 sec
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 6Toward GSP Toll North: Garden State Parkway
8
Merge onto GSP
12 mi·14 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·31 sec
10
Merge onto GSP
34 mi·39 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight left 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
Continue on GSP
22 mi·26 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto GSP
1.2 mi·2 min·Garden State Parkway
Exit 127Toward GSP North, US 9 North, NJ 440: Woodbridge, Staten IslandUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 127Toward US 9 North, I 287, NJ 440: Woodbridge, Staten IslandUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward NJ 440: Raritan Center, Perth Amboy, Staten IslandUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward NJ 440 North: Perth Amboy, Staten IslandUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward NJ 440 North: Staten IslandUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto NJ 440
3.2 mi·4 min·NJ 440
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi·10 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·16 sec
22
Merge onto NY 440
0.2 mi·18 sec·West Shore Expressway
23
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 440
5.2 mi·7 min·West Shore Expressway
Toward NY 440 North: West Shore Expressway, Triborough BridgeUse the slight right lane.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 7Toward Victory BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on East Service Road
0.2 mi·19 sec·East Service Road
26
Turn right onto Victory Boulevard
2.5 mi·5 min·Victory Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
27
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward NY 440 North, I 278 West: Bayonne Bridge, Staten Island Expressway, Goethals BridgeUse the left lane.
28
Continue on NY 440
1.5 mi·2 min·Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Expressway
29
Continue on NY 440
3.5 mi·5 min·Bayonne Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Turn left onto East 30th Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·East 30th Street
Use the left lane.
31
Turn left onto Avenue E
268 ft·11 sec·Avenue E
32
Turn right onto East 29th Street
0.1 mi·37 sec·East 29th Street
33
Turn right onto Broadway
54 ft·1 sec·Broadway
34
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 3-hour trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a smart move. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refresh, especially since the vast majority of your time will be spent behind the wheel on the parkway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before starting, as the $24 estimate can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and idling time in potential congestion. Because the route is so highway-dependent, verify bridge and road conditions on the Bayonne Bridge before you depart to ensure your final approach into the city goes smoothly.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72 miles from North Wildwood, NJ, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 120 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 32 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72 miles or 1h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 20m
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 North Wildwood, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from North Wildwood, NJ
This is one driving day of about 144 miles and 3h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from North Wildwood, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 120 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 124.6 and 130.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
124.6 mi into trip|~2h 28m in|GSP / Garden State Parkway
Take the exit onto GSP / Garden State Parkway toward GSP North, US 9 North, NJ 440: Woodbridge, 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 127
Toward GSP North, US 9 North, NJ 440: Woodbridg...
9
125.8 mi into trip|~2h 30m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 9 North, I 287, NJ 440: Woodbridge, Staten Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 127
Toward US 9 North, I 287, NJ 440: Woodbridge, S...
9
126 mi into trip|~2h 30m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 440: Raritan Center, Perth Amboy, Staten Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward NJ 440: Raritan Center, Perth Amboy, Sta...
9
126.1 mi into trip|~2h 30m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 440 North: Perth Amboy, Staten Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 440 North: Perth Amboy, Staten Island
8
130.3 mi into trip|~2h 37m in|NY 440 / West Shore Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 440 / West Shore Expressway toward NY 440 North: West Shore Expressway, Triborough Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward NY 440 North: West Shore Expressway, Tri...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.87 one way
$47.75 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$26.15
$52.29
premium
$4.93
$27.93
$55.85
diesel
$5.61
$31.79
$63.59
Estimated Tolls: $23.19
Bayonne Bridge
$16.00
Garden State Parkway
(120 mi)$7.19
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
$24
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.2
0
$15.12
$6.91
Efficient EV
36
0
$12.60
$5.76
EV Truck/SUV
57.6
0
$20.16
$9.22
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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 18, 2026
Origin
North Wildwood, NJ
Night
in North Wildwood on Saturday
Local time
9:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bayonne, NJ
Night
in Bayonne on Saturday
Local time
9:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Sunny
E 6 to 14 mph0% chanceLive 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
13 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
3h 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.
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...
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 144
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 144
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...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 129.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed experience, as 90% of this journey is spent on major highways. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Garden State Parkway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 120 miles. The drive transitions from the coastal environment of North Wildwood onto the West Shore Expressway before crossing the Bayonne Bridge to reach your destination. It is a classic interstate-focused commute that demands steady focus rather than technical navigation. You will find that the rhythm of the drive remains consistent, providing a predictable pace that allows you to cover significant ground quickly.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 120 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 West Shore Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 124.6 miles in near GSP / Garden State Parkway.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 144 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 124.6 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
222 ft5 ft
Total Climb
307 ft
Total Descent
273 ft
Highest Point
222 ft
~113.2 mi in
Elevation Range
217 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between North Wildwood, NJ and Bayonne, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp North, Staten Island and Perth Amboy.
Gsp North
124.6 mi in|~2h 28m|via GSP
Staten Island
124.6 mi in|~2h 28m|via GSP
Perth Amboy
126 mi in|~2h 30m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h. Total distance: 144 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 120 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $23.19 in tolls one way, starting with Bayonne 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 124.6 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Bayonne, NJ, but most travelers stay overnight.
