Traveling from North Wildwood to Lakewood covers 90.4 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 52 minutes. This straightforward journey is ideal for a one-day trip, as it rarely requires an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $15 for fuel to complete the trek. The route stays entirely within the Northeast region, moving through New Jersey via North Wildwood Boulevard and the Garden State Parkway. Because the drive is relatively short and efficient, it works well as a direct commute or a quick weekend excursion between these two New Jersey communities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.2 miles from North Wildwood, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
76.5 mi
1h 28m
Lakewood Road
4.3 mi
6m
North Wildwood Boulevard
3.1 mi
4m
River Avenue
2.6 mi
4m
Madison Avenue
0.9 mi
1m
West Spruce Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
New Jersey Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
US 9
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 76.5 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Wildwood, NJ and Lakewood, 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
30 mi·35 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit onto US 9
0.4 mi·34 sec·US 9
Exit 83Toward US 9 North, CR 571, NJ 166: LakewoodUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·12 sec
Toward Toms RiverUse the straight lane.
14
Turn straight onto Lomell Lane
0.2 mi·30 sec·Lomell Lane
15
Turn right onto NJ 166
4.3 mi·6 min·Lakewood Road
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 9
2.6 mi·4 min·River Avenue
17
Continue on US 9
0.9 mi·1 min·Madison Avenue
18
Turn right onto 8th Street
46 ft·2 sec·8th Street
19
Arrive at destination
8th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a compact 90.4-mile trip with zero mandatory stops, you have the flexibility to depart whenever it suits your schedule. Try to time your departure to avoid peak commuting hours on the Garden State Parkway to ensure you maintain that estimated 1 hour and 52 minute travel time. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the Parkway, as it is the longest segment of your trip. Because there are no required stops, you can easily complete the drive in a single push without needing to schedule rest breaks. Carrying a small amount of cash or keeping your E-ZPass ready is a smart move for any tolls you may encounter along the Parkway.
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 45.2 miles from North Wildwood, NJ, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.5 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 20 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.2 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 Lakewood, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from North Wildwood, NJ
This is one driving day of about 90.4 miles and 1h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from North Wildwood, 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 76.5 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.7 and 82.6 — 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
81.8 mi into trip|~1h 37m in|US 9
Take the exit onto US 9 toward US 9 North, CR 571, NJ 166: Lakewood
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 83
Toward US 9 North, CR 571, NJ 166: Lakewood
7
82.2 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Toms River
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward Toms River
6
82.6 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|NJ 166 / Lakewood Road
Turn right onto NJ 166 / Lakewood Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.99 one way
$29.97 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$16.41
$32.83
premium
$4.93
$17.53
$35.06
diesel
$5.61
$19.96
$39.92
Estimated Tolls: $4.59
Garden State Parkway
(76.5 mi)$4.59
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
$15
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.1
0
$9.49
$4.34
Efficient EV
22.6
0
$7.91
$3.62
EV Truck/SUV
36.2
0
$12.66
$5.79
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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 15, 2026
Origin
North Wildwood, NJ
Late night
in North Wildwood on Sunday
Local time
12:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lakewood, NJ
Late night
in Lakewood on Sunday
Local time
12:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Bass River, NJ
45 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
22 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
1h 52m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 85% of this trip consists of high-speed travel. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the Garden State Parkway, which accounts for a 76.5-mile uninterrupted stretch of the journey. The transition from local roads like North Wildwood Boulevard into the Parkway provides a quick shift from slower residential pacing to a steady interstate flow. While the road is mostly a functional grind, the consistency of the highway makes for a predictable, low-stress time behind the wheel. Lakewood Road serves as your final connection, guiding you into your destination after the long highway run.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.5 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Lakewood Road. 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 Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 90.4 miles you will encounter 11 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 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 81.8 miles (US 9): 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 North Wildwood, NJ and Lakewood, NJ, road signs point toward Cr 571 and Toms River.
Cr 571
81.8 mi in|~1h 37m|via US 9
Toms River
82.2 mi in|~1h 38m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 52m. Total distance: 90.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76.5 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.59 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 Lakewood, 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 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 81.8 miles (US 9): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lakewood, NJ before heading back.
