This 109.1-mile drive from Wantage, NJ to Brick, NJ is a straightforward, highway-focused journey designed for a single day. You can expect to be on the road for approximately 2 hours and 31 minutes, making it a very manageable day trip. The route primarily utilizes the Garden State Parkway Southbound and NJ 23, with a significant 93% of the drive on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of around $18, it's an economical option for a quick escape. This trip is ideal for those seeking efficiency and direct travel within the Northeast region of New Jersey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
54.5 miles from Wantage, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
49.1 mi
1h 2m
NJ 23
32.7 mi
43m
Garden State Parkway Southbound
6.2 mi
8m
NJ 70
5.2 mi
6m
US 46
3.7 mi
4m
NJ 34
3.3 mi
3m
Glenwood Road
2.5 mi
6m
Lake Wallkill Road
2.4 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 49.1 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wantage, NJ and Brick, NJ.
1
Start on Kelly Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Kelly Road
2
Turn right onto Lake Wallkill Road
2.4 mi·9 min·Lake Wallkill Road
3
At end of road, turn right onto CR 565
2.5 mi·6 min·Glenwood Road
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto NJ 23
26 mi·36 min·NJ 23
Use the left lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 23
6.2 mi·7 min·NJ 23
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
297 ft·7 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 46 East: New York, Clifton
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward US 46 East: Clifton
8
Merge onto US 46
2.1 mi·2 min·US 46
9
Continue on US 46
1.6 mi·1 min·US 46
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Turn slight left onto NJ 3
1.3 mi·1 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto ramp to GSP Southbound
0.3 mi·36 sec·ramp to GSP Southbound
Toward GSP Toll SouthUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto GSP
22 mi·30 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on Garden State Parkway
6.2 mi·8 min·Garden State Parkway Southbound
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi·49 sec·Garden State Parkway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
27 mi·30 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 98Toward NJ 138 East, I 195 West, NJ 34: Belmar, TrentonUse the slight right lane.
For this relatively short 109.1-mile trip, flexibility is your advantage. Leaving early in the morning, perhaps before 8 AM, can help you avoid some of the heavier traffic associated with the Garden State Parkway. You'll only need one stop for the entire 2 hour and 31-minute duration, so plan it strategically. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major exit is 49.1 miles. The estimated fuel cost is a budget-friendly $18, but always have a little extra buffer. Given the highway-heavy nature, ensure your vehicle is in good condition for sustained travel.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 54.5 miles from Wantage, NJ, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.1 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 24 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.5 miles or 1h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brick, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wantage, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Wantage, NJ
This is one driving day of about 109.1 miles and 2h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Wantage, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 49.1 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.8 and 99.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.8 mi into trip|~10m in|CR 565 / Glenwood Road
At end of road, turn right onto CR 565 / Glenwood Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
5.3 mi into trip|~16m in|NJ 23
Turn left onto NJ 23
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
31.8 mi into trip|~53m in|NJ 23
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 23
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
98.9 mi into trip|~2h 17m 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,...
7
99.7 mi into trip|~2h 19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 34 South: Brielle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward NJ 34 South: Brielle
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.09 one way
$36.17 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$19.81
$39.62
premium
$4.93
$21.16
$42.32
diesel
$5.61
$24.09
$48.18
Estimated Tolls: $3.31
Garden State Parkway
(55.3 mi)$3.31
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
$18
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.7
0
$11.46
$5.24
Efficient EV
27.3
0
$9.55
$4.36
EV Truck/SUV
43.6
0
$15.27
$6.98
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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 14, 2026
Origin
Wantage, NJ
Late night
in Wantage on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Brick, NJ
Late night
in Brick on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SW 5 to 10 mph19% 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
21 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
2h 31m 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.
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...
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...
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 56.4
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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 82.8
Situated within the most densely populated region of the United States, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides a unique opportunity to experience tranquil landscapes, rich human history,...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a predominantly highway experience on this route, as 93% of the drive is on high-speed roads. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 49.1 miles along the Garden State Parkway Southbound. While largely highway-focused, the initial segments on NJ 23 offer a slight variation before merging onto the Parkway. The overall character is one of consistent, flowing traffic, making it a predictable and efficient drive for much of its length. Expect a consistent pace as you cover the distance.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.1 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 23. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.8 miles in near CR 565 / Glenwood Road.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 109.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.8 miles (CR 565 / Glenwood Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.3 miles (NJ 23): Lane positioning matters here; at 31.8 miles (NJ 23): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Wantage, NJ and Brick, NJ, road signs point toward Clifton, Gsp Toll South and Trenton.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 31m. Total distance: 109.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 49.1 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.31 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 Brick, NJ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.8 miles (CR 565 / Glenwood Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.3 miles (NJ 23): Lane positioning matters here; at 31.8 miles (NJ 23): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Morristown National Historical Park (5 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 Brick, NJ before heading back.
