Valenca Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
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 34m
Distance
69.7 mi
112 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
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.
Ocean Gate, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
If you are traveling from Ocean Gate to Newark, you are looking at a straightforward 69.7-mile journey through the heart of New Jersey. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 34 minutes on the road, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stops. Your route relies heavily on major arteries, specifically the Garden State Parkway, the New Jersey Turnpike, and NJ 21. With fuel costs estimated at $12, it is a budget-friendly way to connect the Jersey Shore area to the Newark metropolitan region. Because the entire drive stays within the Northeast, you will experience a consistent regional feel from start to finish. This trip is best suited for those who prioritize efficiency and direct travel over winding backroads.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.9 miles from Ocean Gate, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 46.1 mi | 55m |
| New Jersey Turnpike | 9.5 mi | 11m |
| NJ 21 | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| US 1 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| West Chelsea Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| Springfield Avenue | 1 mi | 1m |
| North Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| NJ 81 | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Ocean Gate, NJ and Newark, NJ.
Start on (24)
Turn left onto Stone Harbor Avenue
Turn left onto CR 617
Turn right onto CR 617
Turn left onto CR 617
Continue on CR 617
Turn left onto CR 617
Turn right onto CR 617
Continue on CR 617
Continue on CR 617
Continue on CR 617
Continue on CR 617
Turn left onto CR 617
At end of road, turn right onto NJ 166
Keep slight right at fork onto NJ 166
Continue on NJ 166
Turn left onto NJ 37
Take the exit
Merge onto GSP; US 9
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on GSP
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Continue on this road
Continue on this road
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
Take the exit
Merge onto NJ 81
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on US 1; US 9
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
Turn right onto Mulberry Street
Turn left onto CR 510
Arrive at destination
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around Newark’s peak traffic hours to ensure a smoother arrival. While there are no scheduled stops required for a 1-hour and 34-minute drive, keep in mind that the majority of your time is spent on high-speed highways where constant lane changes may be necessary. You should confirm your fuel levels before heading out, as the $12 estimate is a baseline that can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency in stop-and-go traffic. A concrete tip for this route is to monitor real-time traffic reports for the Garden State Parkway, as this long 46.1-mile stretch is prone to congestion that can significantly impact your total travel time.
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 15 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.9 miles or 46m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newark, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Ocean Gate, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ocean Gate, NJ
This is one driving day of about 69.7 miles and 1h 34m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 34.9 miles from Ocean Gate, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 end, right off the route
Hours: 10:30 am–12 pm
+19083544024
Amsterdam Alley Bar & Restaurant
Linden, New Jersey
Princess Maria's 2 Pizza & Restaurant
Brick Township, New Jersey
Near the end, right off the route
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Hours: 10:30 am–12 pm
+19083544024
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Linden, New Jersey
Hours: 12 pm–12 am
+19089254166
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Brick Township, New Jersey
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+17327146471
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Toms River, New Jersey
Hours: 5–9 pm
+17322553323
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Red Bank, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+17323770404
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Staten Island, New York
Hours: 12–9 pm
+17182277200
Visit websiteNear the end, ~11 min detour
South Orange Village, New Jersey
Hours: 12–3 pm
+19737624440
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Tinton Falls, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18665761495
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Tinton Falls, NJ
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Tinton Falls, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18774943833
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Newark, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Lakewood, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Kearny, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Newark, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Newark, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Newark, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+19739005800
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Newark, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+19732683500
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Perth Amboy, New Jersey
+17326979500
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Harrison, NJ
Hours: Open 24 hours
+12012175482
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Woodbridge, New Jersey
Hours: 6 am–6 pm
+17327453900
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Staten Island, New York
Hours: Closed
+19296146088
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Staten Island, New York
Hours: 10 am–10 pm
+13472367136
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Staten Island, New York
Hours: 10 am–7 pm
+17189678000
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 52.4 and 67 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Trenton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21 toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$11.56 one way
$23.11 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $12.66 | $25.31 |
| premium | $4.93 | $13.52 | $27.03 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.39 | $30.78 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.09
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
$12
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.9 | 0 | $7.32 | $3.35 |
| Efficient EV | 17.4 | 0 | $6.10 | $2.79 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.9 | 0 | $9.76 | $4.46 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Ocean Gate on Sunday
Local time
7:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Newark on Sunday
Local time
7:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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National Recreation Area
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...
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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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This is a highway-focused drive, with 86% of your trip spent on major thoroughfares. You will settle into a steady rhythm on the Garden State Parkway, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 46.1 miles. The personality of this route is defined by high-speed transit rather than scenic detours or technical local driving. As you transition from the Parkway to the New Jersey Turnpike and finally onto NJ 21, the environment shifts from suburban corridors to the more dense infrastructure surrounding Newark. Prepare for a consistent, fast-paced experience that demands your full attention on navigating major interchanges.
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 52.4 miles in.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 69.7 miles you will encounter 23 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 52.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 53.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Ocean Gate, NJ and Newark, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp Toll North: Lakewood, New York, Woodbridge, Njtp: New York City, Trenton and Njtp North: New York City - among others.
Gsp Toll North: Lakewood
New York
Woodbridge
Njtp: New York City
Trenton
Njtp North: New York City
Newark Airport
Elizabeth Seaport
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 34m. Total distance: 69.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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