Traveling from Wildwood to Bayonne covers 144.9 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 1 minute. Because this trip is straightforward and relies heavily on the Garden State Parkway, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You should budget approximately $24 for fuel to complete the journey. Since both cities are located within the Northeast region of New Jersey, you will remain in a consistent geographic corridor throughout the drive. This route is an efficient way to connect the coast with the northern part of the state, making it a practical choice for those who prefer a direct, highway-focused path.
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
72.5 miles from Wildwood, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
120 mi
2h 20m
West Shore Expressway
5.4 mi
8m
Bayonne Bridge
3.5 mi
5m
NJ 440
3.2 mi
4m
North Wildwood Boulevard
3.1 mi
4m
Victory Boulevard
2.5 mi
5m
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Expressway
1.5 mi
2m
New Jersey Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 120 mi, about 2h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wildwood, NJ and Bayonne, NJ.
1
Start on this road
38 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto West Wildwood Avenue
142 ft·13 sec·West Wildwood Avenue
3
Turn left onto CR 621
1.5 mi·2 min·New Jersey Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on CR 621; OD
0.3 mi·36 sec·West Anglesea Drive
5
Continue on NJ 147; OD
0.5 mi·52 sec·West Spruce Avenue
6
Continue on NJ 147; OD
3.1 mi·4 min·North Wildwood Boulevard
7
Turn slight right
432 ft·15 sec
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 6Toward GSP Toll North: Garden State Parkway
9
Merge onto GSP
12 mi·14 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·31 sec
11
Merge onto GSP
34 mi·39 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
50 mi·58 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·31 sec
14
Continue on GSP
22 mi·26 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
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.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward NJ 440: Raritan Center, Perth Amboy, Staten IslandUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward NJ 440 North: Perth Amboy, Staten IslandUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward NJ 440 North: Staten IslandUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto NJ 440
3.2 mi·4 min·NJ 440
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi·10 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·16 sec
23
Merge onto NY 440
0.2 mi·18 sec·West Shore Expressway
24
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 440
5.2 mi·7 min·West Shore Expressway
Toward NY 440 North: West Shore Expressway, Triborough BridgeUse the slight right lane.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 7Toward Victory BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on East Service Road
0.2 mi·19 sec·East Service Road
27
Turn right onto Victory Boulevard
2.5 mi·5 min·Victory Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
28
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward NY 440 North, I 278 West: Bayonne Bridge, Staten Island Expressway, Goethals BridgeUse the left lane.
29
Continue on NY 440
1.5 mi·2 min·Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Expressway
30
Continue on NY 440
3.5 mi·5 min·Bayonne Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Turn left onto East 30th Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·East 30th Street
Use the left lane.
32
Turn left onto Avenue E
268 ft·11 sec·Avenue E
33
Turn right onto East 29th Street
0.1 mi·37 sec·East 29th Street
34
Turn right onto Broadway
54 ft·1 sec·Broadway
35
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, this drive offers plenty of flexibility, though you should plan for at least one stop to break up the monotony of the long interstate stretches. Aim to depart outside of peak commuting hours to ensure you maintain the estimated travel time, especially as you approach the metropolitan area. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before starting, as the $24 estimate assumes steady highway cruising. Since the majority of your time is spent on the Garden State Parkway, use your navigation app to check for real-time traffic alerts along that specific corridor before you pull out of Wildwood.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72.5 miles from Wildwood, NJ, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 120 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 32 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.5 miles or 1h 26m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bayonne, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wildwood, 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 Wildwood, NJ
This is one driving day of about 144.9 miles and 3h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Wildwood, 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 120 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 125.5 and 131.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
125.5 mi into trip|~2h 29m 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
126.7 mi into trip|~2h 31m 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...
9
126.9 mi into trip|~2h 31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 440: Raritan Center, Perth Amboy, Staten Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward NJ 440: Raritan Center, Perth Amboy, Sta...
9
127.1 mi into trip|~2h 32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 440 North: Perth Amboy, Staten Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 440 North: Perth Amboy, Staten Island
8
131.2 mi into trip|~2h 38m in|NY 440 / West Shore Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 440 / West Shore Expressway toward NY 440 North: West Shore Expressway, Triborough Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward NY 440 North: West Shore Expressway, Tri...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.02 one way
$48.05 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$26.31
$52.62
premium
$4.93
$28.10
$56.20
diesel
$5.61
$31.99
$63.98
Estimated Tolls: $23.19
Bayonne Bridge
$16.00
Garden State Parkway
(120 mi)$7.19
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
$24
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.5
0
$15.21
$6.96
Efficient EV
36.2
0
$12.68
$5.80
EV Truck/SUV
58
0
$20.29
$9.27
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Wildwood, NJ
Night
in Wildwood on Saturday
Local time
9:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bayonne, NJ
Night
in Bayonne on Saturday
Local time
9:13 PM
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 1m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 90% of this route consists of major thoroughfares like the Garden State Parkway, the West Shore Expressway, and the Bayonne Bridge. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the Garden State Parkway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 120 miles. The road maintains a consistent, high-speed pace that allows you to cover ground quickly. While you won't encounter technical local roads, the transition from the shore to the urban approach of Bayonne provides a distinct shift in traffic density and infrastructure as you near your destination.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 120 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 West Shore Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 125.5 miles in near GSP / Garden State Parkway.
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 26 significant decision points across 144.9 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 125.5 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 126.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.9 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 Wildwood, NJ and Bayonne, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp North, Staten Island and Perth Amboy.
Wildwood is on the Southern Shore of New Jersey. It is primarily a resort town whose population swells in the summer months (June - August) with vacationers coming mainly from New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, and Quebec. There are also a significant number of seasonal workers from Pennsylvania, Ireland and Eastern Europe. Together with the small bordering towns of North Wildwood and Wildwood Crest, Wildwood is often called "the Wildwoods."
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 1m. Total distance: 144.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 120 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $23.19 in tolls one way, starting with Bayonne 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Bayonne, 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 125.5 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 126.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Bayonne, NJ, but most travelers stay overnight.
