Traveling from Ship Bottom to Edison covers 75.5 miles of New Jersey landscape, typically taking about 1 hour and 38 minutes to complete. This straightforward journey is well-suited for a single-day trip, as it connects the coast to the central part of the state without requiring an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $12 for fuel to cover the distance. Because this route stays entirely within the Northeast region, you will experience a consistent transition from the shore to the more suburban environment of Edison. It is a highly efficient path that prioritizes speed and directness over leisure, making it a reliable choice for commuters or those heading inland.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.7 miles from Ship Bottom, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
33.2 mi
39m
NJ 18
21.4 mi
24m
NJ 34
7 mi
9m
Manahawkin Bay Bridge
6.4 mi
9m
US 1
1.6 mi
2m
Plainfield Avenue
1.3 mi
3m
NJ 33
1.1 mi
1m
Long Beach Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 33.2 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ship Bottom, NJ and Edison, NJ.
1
Start on East 19th Street
196 ft·10 sec·East 19th Street
2
Turn right onto CR 607
0.5 mi·1 min·Long Beach Boulevard
3
Take the ramp
423 ft·11 sec
Toward NJ 72 West: Manahawkin
4
Merge onto NJ 72
0.4 mi·43 sec·West 8th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Continue on NJ 72
154 ft·3 sec·West 8th Street
Toward Manahawkin
6
Continue on NJ 72
6.4 mi·9 min·Manahawkin Bay Bridge
Toward Manahawkin
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward GSP Toll NorthUse the right lane.
8
Continue on GSP Northbound entrance ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec·GSP Northbound entrance ramp
Toward GSP North
9
Merge onto GSP
33 mi·39 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 98Toward NJ 138 East, I 195 West, NJ 34: Belmar, TrentonUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward GSP North, I 195 West
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 195 West: TrentonUse the right lane.
13
Merge onto NJ 138
0.2 mi·16 sec·NJ 138
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Exit 35BToward NJ 34 North: MatawanUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto NJ 34
3.4 mi·4 min·NJ 34
16
Enter roundabout onto NJ 33; NJ 34
451 ft·6 sec·NJ 33; NJ 34
17
Continue on NJ 33; NJ 34
1.0 mi·1 min·NJ 33; NJ 34
18
Take the exit onto NJ 34
3.6 mi·5 min·NJ 34
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick
20
Merge onto NJ 18
21 mi·24 min·NJ 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward US 1 North: NewarkUse the left / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto US 1
0.9 mi·1 min·US 1
23
Continue on US 1
0.2 mi·16 sec·US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on US 1
0.2 mi·19 sec·US 1
Use the right lane.
25
Continue on US 1
0.4 mi·34 sec·US 1
26
Turn right
462 ft·39 sec
27
At end of road, turn left onto CR 529
1.3 mi·3 min·Plainfield Avenue
28
Turn left onto Central Avenue
345 ft·17 sec·Central Avenue
29
Turn right onto Reed Street
523 ft·28 sec·Reed Street
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is under two hours, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule, though aiming to depart outside of peak rush hours will help you maintain a smooth pace. Because there are no designated stops required for a trip of this length, you can easily complete the 75.5 miles in one go without needing to plan for extended breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Ship Bottom to ensure you cover the $12 estimated cost comfortably. If you find traffic building up on the Garden State Parkway, utilize the connections via NJ 18 and NJ 34 as your primary alternatives to keep your travel time close to the 1 hour and 38 minute mark.
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 37.7 miles from Ship Bottom, NJ, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.2 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 17 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.7 miles or 47m 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 21m
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 Ship Bottom, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ship Bottom, NJ
This is one driving day of about 75.5 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Ship Bottom, 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 33.2 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.4 and 42.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
7.4 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the exit toward GSP Toll North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward GSP Toll North
8
41.1 mi into trip|~51m 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,...
6
41.4 mi into trip|~52m in
Keep slight left at fork toward GSP North, I 195 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward GSP North, I 195 West
8
41.7 mi into trip|~53m 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
42.2 mi into trip|~54m 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
$12.52 one way
$25.03 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$13.71
$27.42
premium
$4.93
$14.64
$29.28
diesel
$5.61
$16.67
$33.34
Estimated Tolls: $8.99
Bay Bridge
$7.00
Garden State Parkway
(33.2 mi)$1.99
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
$13
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.7
0
$7.93
$3.62
Efficient EV
18.9
0
$6.61
$3.02
EV Truck/SUV
30.2
0
$10.57
$4.83
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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
Ship Bottom, NJ
Late night
in Ship Bottom on Sunday
Local time
3:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Partly Cloudy
S 10 to 20 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Edison, NJ
Late night
in Edison on Sunday
Local time
3:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph7% 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
1 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 38m 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 75.5
Park Closure: Partial Reopening: Cross Estate Gardens
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 75.5
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...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 59.9
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 experience, as 85% of your travel occurs on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a combination of the Garden State Parkway, NJ 18, and NJ 34 to reach your destination. The longest uninterrupted portion of the trip spans 33.2 miles along the Garden State Parkway, offering a consistent pace for the majority of the drive. While the route is primarily functional and fast-moving, the transition between these major roads requires you to stay alert for highway merges. It is a predictable drive that keeps you moving steadily toward your destination rather than meandering through local town centers.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 33.2 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 7.4 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 75.5 miles you will encounter 22 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 7.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
154 ft5 ft
Total Climb
330 ft
Total Descent
243 ft
Highest Point
154 ft
~59.3 mi in
Elevation Range
150 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ship Bottom, NJ and Edison, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp Toll North, Gsp North and Trenton.
Gsp Toll North
7.4 mi in|~11m
Gsp North
7.7 mi in|~12m|via GSP Northbound entrance ramp
Trenton
41.1 mi in|~51m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 75.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m 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 33.2 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $8.99 in tolls one way, starting with Bay 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.
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.
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 7.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
