If you are planning a trip from Ship Bottom to Elizabeth, you are looking at an 83.5-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 49 minutes. This route is designed as a straightforward, one-day drive that connects the coast to the northern part of the state. You can expect to spend roughly $14 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly option for your itinerary. Because the total duration is under two hours, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay unless you have specific business or leisure plans at either end. The drive is entirely contained within the Northeast region, keeping the travel environment consistent throughout your journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.8 miles from Ship Bottom, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
62.8 mi
1h 14m
US 9
9.2 mi
14m
Manahawkin Bay Bridge
6.4 mi
9m
Carlton Street
1.5 mi
2m
East Edgar Road
0.7 mi
1m
Long Beach Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
West 8th Street
0.4 mi
<1m
East Jersey Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 62.8 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ship Bottom, NJ and Elizabeth, 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
39 mi·46 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·31 sec
11
Continue on GSP
22 mi·26 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
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.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward US 9 North: WoodbridgeUse the slight left lane.
15
Merge onto US 9
9.2 mi·14 min·US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9
0.7 mi·1 min·East Edgar Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on US 1; US 9
1.5 mi·2 min·Carlton Street
18
Turn right
60 ft·6 sec
19
Turn right
383 ft·28 sec
20
Turn right
278 ft·22 sec
21
Turn right onto East Jersey Street
0.3 mi·50 sec·East Jersey Street
22
Turn right
34 ft·2 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though it is wise to check for typical traffic patterns on the Garden State Parkway before you head out. You will not need to plan for any mandatory stops given the sub-two-hour drive time, allowing you to complete the journey in one go. Keep in mind that your fuel budget is estimated at $14, so topping off your tank before you leave Ship Bottom will ensure you arrive in Elizabeth without needing to hunt for gas stations along the way. Because you are relying on major highways for the majority of the 83.5 miles, prioritize staying alert during the long, uninterrupted 62.8-mile segment to maintain a smooth flow.
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 41.8 miles from Ship Bottom, NJ, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.8 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 18 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.8 miles or 52m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elizabeth, 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 83.5 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 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 62.8 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.4 and 80.9 — 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
69.9 mi into trip|~1h 25m 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
71.1 mi into trip|~1h 27m 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...
7
71.4 mi into trip|~1h 28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 9 North: Woodbridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 9 North: Woodbridge
6
80.9 mi into trip|~1h 44m in|US 1; US 9 / East Edgar Road
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9 / East Edgar Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.84 one way
$27.69 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$15.16
$30.32
premium
$4.93
$16.19
$32.39
diesel
$5.61
$18.44
$36.87
Estimated Tolls: $10.76
Bay Bridge
$7.00
Garden State Parkway
(62.8 mi)$3.76
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
$14
Tolls
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.2 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
25.1
0
$8.77
$4.01
Efficient EV
20.9
0
$7.31
$3.34
EV Truck/SUV
33.4
0
$11.69
$5.34
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Ship Bottom, NJ
Late night
in Ship Bottom on Sunday
Local time
12:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Elizabeth, NJ
Late night
in Elizabeth on Sunday
Local time
12:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live 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 49m 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.
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 83.5
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 83.5
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
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 77.8
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 86 percent of your travel time will be spent on major roads. Your route relies heavily on the Garden State Parkway, US 9, and the Manahawkin Bay Bridge to bridge the distance between your starting point and destination. You will settle into a long, steady rhythm during the 62.8-mile stretch on the Garden State Parkway, which serves as the backbone of the drive. While the transition from coastal transit to northern roadways is efficient, the route maintains a predictable pace that favors speed and directness over technical, winding backroads.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.8 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 US 9. 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 Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 83.5 miles you will encounter 16 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 69.9 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 71.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Ship Bottom, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp Toll North, Gsp North and Staten Island.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 49m. Total distance: 83.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62.8 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $10.76 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 Elizabeth, 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 69.9 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 71.1 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Elizabeth, NJ before heading back.
