If you are traveling from the coastal community of Ship Bottom to Elizabethport, you can expect an efficient 84.5-mile journey through New Jersey. The drive typically takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes, making it a perfect one-day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize the Manahawkin Bay Bridge, the Garden State Parkway, and the New Jersey Turnpike to complete your transit. With a modest fuel budget of roughly $14, this route is both practical and straightforward for those moving between the shore and the northern part of the state. Because both points are located within the Northeast region, you will experience a consistent regional atmosphere throughout the duration of your trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.3 miles from Ship Bottom, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
64.3 mi
1h 16m
Manahawkin Bay Bridge
6.4 mi
9m
New Jersey Turnpike
6.4 mi
7m
South 1st Street
0.6 mi
1m
3rd Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Long Beach Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
West 8th Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Atlantic Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 64.3 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ship Bottom, NJ and Elizabethport, 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
25 mi·30 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Exit 129Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, TrentonUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
14
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·1 min·this road
15
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·16 sec·this road
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
17
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
6.4 mi·7 min·New Jersey Turnpike
18
Take the exit
1.4 mi·2 min
Exit 13Toward I 278: Elizabeth, Staten IslandUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn straight
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 278 West, NJ 439: Elizabeth, Linden
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·25 sec
Toward NJ 439: Elizabeth
21
Turn right
142 ft·14 sec
Toward Goethals Bridge
22
Turn sharp right onto NJ 439
468 ft·9 sec·Brunswick Avenue
23
Continue on NJ 439
379 ft·14 sec·Brunswick Avenue
24
Continue on Cole Place
0.3 mi·40 sec·Cole Place
Use the straight / left lanes.
25
Continue on Atlantic Street
0.3 mi·48 sec·Atlantic Street
26
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·3rd Avenue
27
At end of road, turn left onto South 1st Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South 1st Street
28
Turn left onto Broadway
0.1 mi·28 sec·Broadway
29
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 1 hour and 50-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your scheduling to avoid peak congestion. Planning to leave during off-peak hours is your best strategy to maintain a smooth pace on the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike. Because there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you can easily complete the entire 84.5 miles in one go, though you should keep your $14 fuel budget in mind before you depart. Pay close attention to traffic reports for the New Jersey Turnpike, as conditions can shift quickly. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by ensuring your vehicle is fueled up and ready to go before you leave Ship Bottom.
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 42.3 miles from Ship Bottom, NJ, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.3 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 19 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.3 miles or 53m 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 Elizabethport, 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 84.5 miles and 1h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 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 64.3 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.4 and 82.6 — 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
72.6 mi into trip|~1h 29m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 129
Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Trenton
6
73.7 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
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
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
8
80.7 mi into trip|~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward I 278: Elizabeth, 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 13
Toward I 278: Elizabeth, Staten Island
6
82.6 mi into trip|~1h 45m in|NJ 439 / Brunswick Avenue
Turn sharp right onto NJ 439 / Brunswick Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.01 one way
$28.02 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$15.34
$30.69
premium
$4.93
$16.39
$32.78
diesel
$5.61
$18.66
$37.31
Estimated Tolls: $11.75
Bay Bridge
$7.00
Garden State Parkway
(64.3 mi)$3.85
New Jersey Turnpike
(6.4 mi)$0.90
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
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.3
0
$8.87
$4.06
Efficient EV
21.1
0
$7.39
$3.38
EV Truck/SUV
33.8
0
$11.83
$5.41
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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 15, 2026
Origin
Ship Bottom, NJ
Late night
in Ship Bottom on Sunday
Local time
12:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Elizabethport, NJ
Late night
in Elizabethport on Sunday
Local time
12:39 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 50m 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...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
$10
near mile 84.5
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...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 84.5
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...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 84.5
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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 81.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 84% of the journey spent on high-speed roads. You will find yourself settling into a steady rhythm, particularly on the Garden State Parkway, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 64.3 miles. While the initial departure involves crossing the Manahawkin Bay Bridge, the remainder of the drive is characterized by the fast-paced, functional nature of major interstate travel. Expect a consistent, efficient experience behind the wheel rather than winding local roads. It is a no-nonsense commute that prioritizes speed and directness as you transition from the coast toward the northern urban corridor.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.3 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 Manahawkin Bay Bridge. 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 84.5 miles you will encounter 18 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 72.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Elizabethport, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp Toll North, Gsp North, Njtp: New York City, Trenton and Njtp North: New York City.
Gsp Toll North
7.4 mi in|~11m
Gsp North
7.7 mi in|~12m|via GSP Northbound entrance ramp
Njtp: New York City
72.6 mi in|~1h 29m
Trenton
72.6 mi in|~1h 29m
Njtp North: New York City
73.6 mi in|~1h 31m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 50m. Total distance: 84.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.3 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $11.75 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 Elizabethport, 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 72.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Elizabethport, NJ before heading back.
