If you are planning to head north from North Wildwood to Edison, you are looking at a manageable 130.2-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes. Because the trip is straightforward, it works perfectly as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $22 for fuel to cover the distance. Since both the origin and destination are located within the Northeast, you can expect a familiar, consistent regional driving experience throughout the trip. With only one recommended stop, it is an efficient route that connects the coast to the heart of New Jersey.
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
65.1 miles from North Wildwood, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
90.4 mi
1h 45m
NJ 18
21.4 mi
24m
NJ 34
7 mi
9m
North Wildwood Boulevard
3.1 mi
4m
US 1
1.6 mi
2m
Plainfield Avenue
1.3 mi
3m
NJ 33
1.1 mi
1m
West Spruce Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 90.4 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Wildwood, NJ and Edison, 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
44 mi·51 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 98Toward NJ 138 East, I 195 West, NJ 34: Belmar, TrentonUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward GSP North, I 195 West
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 195 West: TrentonUse the right lane.
15
Merge onto NJ 138
0.2 mi·16 sec·NJ 138
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Exit 35BToward NJ 34 North: MatawanUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto NJ 34
3.4 mi·4 min·NJ 34
18
Enter roundabout onto NJ 33; NJ 34
451 ft·6 sec·NJ 33; NJ 34
19
Continue on NJ 33; NJ 34
1.0 mi·1 min·NJ 33; NJ 34
20
Take the exit onto NJ 34
3.6 mi·5 min·NJ 34
Use the straight lane.
21
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick
22
Merge onto NJ 18
21 mi·24 min·NJ 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward US 1 North: NewarkUse the left / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto US 1
0.9 mi·1 min·US 1
25
Continue on US 1
0.2 mi·16 sec·US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on US 1
0.2 mi·19 sec·US 1
Use the right lane.
27
Continue on US 1
0.4 mi·34 sec·US 1
28
Turn right
462 ft·39 sec
29
At end of road, turn left onto CR 529
1.3 mi·3 min·Plainfield Avenue
30
Turn left onto Central Avenue
345 ft·17 sec·Central Avenue
31
Turn right onto Reed Street
523 ft·28 sec·Reed Street
32
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 2-hour and 40-minute drive, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours on the Garden State Parkway. Since you have only one planned stop, use that break strategically to refuel or stretch your legs before tackling the final stretch toward Edison. Keep in mind that the highway-heavy nature of this trip means your fuel consumption will be steady, so keep that $22 budget in mind as you plan your stops. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on how you feel. A helpful tip for this specific route is to monitor local traffic reports for the Parkway, as it is the backbone of your journey and the most likely place to encounter delays.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 65.1 miles from North Wildwood, NJ, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.4 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 29 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.1 miles or 1h 17m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Edison, 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 130.2 miles and 2h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 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 90.4 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 4.7 and 96.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
4.7 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward GSP Toll North: Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 6
Toward GSP Toll North: Garden State Parkway
6
51.5 mi into trip|~1h 2m 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
95.7 mi into trip|~1h 53m in
Take the exit toward NJ 138 East, I 195 West, NJ 34: Belmar, Trenton
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 98
Toward NJ 138 East, I 195 West, NJ 34: Belmar,...
8
96.4 mi into trip|~1h 55m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 195 West: Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 195 West: Trenton
8
96.9 mi into trip|~1h 56m in
Take the exit toward NJ 34 North: Matawan
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 35B
Toward NJ 34 North: Matawan
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.59 one way
$43.17 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$23.64
$47.28
premium
$4.93
$25.25
$50.50
diesel
$5.61
$28.75
$57.49
Estimated Tolls: $5.42
Garden State Parkway
(90.4 mi)$5.42
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
$22
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.1
0
$13.67
$6.25
Efficient EV
32.6
0
$11.39
$5.21
EV Truck/SUV
52.1
0
$18.23
$8.33
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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 13, 2026
Origin
North Wildwood, NJ
Night
in North Wildwood on Saturday
Local time
9:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Edison, NJ
Night
in Edison on Saturday
Local time
9:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Sunny
SW 5 to 15 mph9% 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
32 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
2h 40m 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.
Morristown National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 130.2
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...
21 mi from route
~51 min detour
$10
near mile 130.2
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...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 116.7
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 drive, as 93% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on high-speed roads. You will spend the vast majority of your trip on the Garden State Parkway, which accounts for a significant 90.4-mile stretch of the journey. Beyond that main artery, your route will transition onto NJ 18 and NJ 34 to navigate toward your destination. While the experience is primarily a fast-paced interstate grind, the shift between these specific highways keeps the route from feeling entirely uniform. You will find that the road remains consistent and predictable, allowing for steady progress as you move through the region.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 90.4 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 NJ 18. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.7 miles in.
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 24 significant decision points across 130.2 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 4.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 51.5 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
162 ft5 ft
Total Climb
345 ft
Total Descent
258 ft
Highest Point
162 ft
~111.6 mi in
Elevation Range
157 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 Edison, NJ, road signs point toward Trenton and Gsp North.
Trenton
95.7 mi in|~1h 53m
Gsp North
96.1 mi in|~1h 54m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 40m. Total distance: 130.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 90.4 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.42 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 Edison, 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 4.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 51.5 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Morristown National Historical Park, Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area. 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 Edison, NJ before heading back.
