New Jersey is a small state. It takes under four hours to get from High Point to Cape May and crossing the state from east to west will only run you about an hour. Typically, road trips are seen as longer journeys, but we pack a lot of beauty and adventure into a tiny space. Whether you’re looking to cruise along the beaches or soak up some history, there is a road trip in the state that you’re sure to love. Take a peek at what we think the best road trips in New Jersey may be!
- Along The Delaware From Montague Township To Worthington State Forest
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli
Flickr/SurFeRGiRL30 This 35 mile drive along the Delaware Water Gap will afford you some incredible views. Start at Old Mine Road in Montague where the higher elevations will offer some spectacular sights. Continue down the road along the river and stop along its shores. Consider rafting the rapids or take a more relaxing tubing trip. Find your way down to Worthington State Forest and enjoy the wildlife.
- The Atlantic City Expressway From Gloucester City To Atlantic City
Flickr/John Delacey
Facebook/ShoppesAtCrossKeys
Flickr/Jason Mrachina This 60 mile ride is best taken at night. When the sun begins to set, start in Gloucester City and take in spectacular views of Philadelphia and the Ben Franklin Bridge. Stop for dinner and some shopping at The Shoppes At Cross Keys. There are multiple dining options and the Shoppes hold regular events including the annual Easter Egg Hunt and Girls Night Out. You’ll finish this trip in Atlantic City where you can relax at a spa or dance all night.
- Route 80 From Fort Lee To Columbia
Flickr/Adnan Islam
Flickr/Terry Ballard
Facebook/LakotaWolfPreserve This 70 mile trek will take you across some diverse landscapes. Though the highway itself is mostly confined within sound barriers, there are many attractions to be found right off each exit. Start in Fort Lee for views of NYC and take a stop at the Great Falls in Paterson. Take a relaxing boat ride on Lake Hopatcong, or dive in for a swim. Finish your journey at the Lakota Wolf Preserve in Columbia. This wildlife rescue preserve is home to some amazing animals that you will likely never forget.
- Route 35 From Red Bank To Seaside Heights
Flickr/Jazz Guy
Flickr/Bob Jagendorf
Flickr/James Loesch Start your 40 mile beach-side journey in Red Bank. The small city offers everything from sailing to shopping and has boatloads of charm. Stop at the Monmouth Mall along your way, or watch the races at Monmouth Racetrack. Finish off the trip on the Boardwalk at Seaside Heights.
- The Palisades Along The Hudson From Englewood Cliffs To Closter
Flickr/ccho
Flickr/Katherine Hala
Flickr/Anthony Quintano There are two ways to make this journey; you can opt for higher vantage points atop the Palisades on Palisades Interstate Parkway or you can choose to ride along the Hudson River on Henry Hudson Drive. Either way, this 12 mile ride is sure to be scenic. Start with spectacular views of New York City and travel north through beautiful cliffs and woodlands. Stop along the way at various lookout points, all armed with binoculars, and enjoy a picnic along the water.
- Route 206 From Princeton To Trenton
Wikimedia/KForce
Flickr/Khurt Williams
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM This stretch of road is a history lover’s paradise. Start at the Governor’s Mansion in Princeton and stop at historic sites along the way including Princeton Battlefield, Princeton University and The Old Barracks Museum. Finish your trip with a tour of the state house in Trenton.
- High Point To Cape May
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli
Flickr/Nathan Slemers This north to south road trip is more about the ride than the places you’ll stop at along the way. The best way to get from High Point to Cape May will be taking Route 23 to 80 and following the Parkway straight down. All along the route there will be amazing photo opportunities and scenic views to enjoy. Start at New Jersey’s tallest peak and end at one of our greatest beaches, what more could we ask for in a 4 hour drive?
From scenic views to historic homes, Jersey has got it all. Lucky for us, no matter where we are in the state, we are just a few hours from all the goodness New Jersey has to offer. You’re never far from a beautiful beach, state park or Revolutionary War battleground. Sometimes these sites are best seen separately while other times a road trip enhances the experience. Why not take a day to celebrate our state and head out for a drive? Did your favorite New Jersey road trip make the list? What would you add?
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli
Flickr/SurFeRGiRL30
This 35 mile drive along the Delaware Water Gap will afford you some incredible views. Start at Old Mine Road in Montague where the higher elevations will offer some spectacular sights. Continue down the road along the river and stop along its shores. Consider rafting the rapids or take a more relaxing tubing trip. Find your way down to Worthington State Forest and enjoy the wildlife.
Flickr/John Delacey
Facebook/ShoppesAtCrossKeys
Flickr/Jason Mrachina
This 60 mile ride is best taken at night. When the sun begins to set, start in Gloucester City and take in spectacular views of Philadelphia and the Ben Franklin Bridge. Stop for dinner and some shopping at The Shoppes At Cross Keys. There are multiple dining options and the Shoppes hold regular events including the annual Easter Egg Hunt and Girls Night Out. You’ll finish this trip in Atlantic City where you can relax at a spa or dance all night.
Flickr/Adnan Islam
Flickr/Terry Ballard
Facebook/LakotaWolfPreserve
This 70 mile trek will take you across some diverse landscapes. Though the highway itself is mostly confined within sound barriers, there are many attractions to be found right off each exit. Start in Fort Lee for views of NYC and take a stop at the Great Falls in Paterson. Take a relaxing boat ride on Lake Hopatcong, or dive in for a swim. Finish your journey at the Lakota Wolf Preserve in Columbia. This wildlife rescue preserve is home to some amazing animals that you will likely never forget.
Flickr/Jazz Guy
Flickr/Bob Jagendorf
Flickr/James Loesch
Start your 40 mile beach-side journey in Red Bank. The small city offers everything from sailing to shopping and has boatloads of charm. Stop at the Monmouth Mall along your way, or watch the races at Monmouth Racetrack. Finish off the trip on the Boardwalk at Seaside Heights.
Flickr/ccho
Flickr/Katherine Hala
Flickr/Anthony Quintano
There are two ways to make this journey; you can opt for higher vantage points atop the Palisades on Palisades Interstate Parkway or you can choose to ride along the Hudson River on Henry Hudson Drive. Either way, this 12 mile ride is sure to be scenic. Start with spectacular views of New York City and travel north through beautiful cliffs and woodlands. Stop along the way at various lookout points, all armed with binoculars, and enjoy a picnic along the water.
Wikimedia/KForce
Flickr/Khurt Williams
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
This stretch of road is a history lover’s paradise. Start at the Governor’s Mansion in Princeton and stop at historic sites along the way including Princeton Battlefield, Princeton University and The Old Barracks Museum. Finish your trip with a tour of the state house in Trenton.
Flickr/Nathan Slemers
This north to south road trip is more about the ride than the places you’ll stop at along the way. The best way to get from High Point to Cape May will be taking Route 23 to 80 and following the Parkway straight down. All along the route there will be amazing photo opportunities and scenic views to enjoy. Start at New Jersey’s tallest peak and end at one of our greatest beaches, what more could we ask for in a 4 hour drive?
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Address: Delaware River, United StatesAddress: Great Falls, Paterson, NJ, USAAddress: Hopatcong State Park, 260 Lakeside Blvd, Landing, NJ 07850, USAAddress: Lakota Wolf Preserve, 89 Mt Pleasant Rd, Columbia, NJ 07832, USAAddress: Red Bank, NJ, USAAddress: Seaside Heights, NJ 08751, USAAddress: Palisades Park, NJ 07650, USAAddress: High Point State Park, 1480 NJ-23, Sussex, NJ 07461, USAAddress: Princeton, NJ, USAAddress: Cape May, NJ 08204, USAAddress: Atlantic City, NJ, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
best road trips in New Jersey August 12, 2021 Kim Magaraci What are the best things to do in New Jersey for families? For generations, families have been embarking on some of the best road trips in New Jersey in order to see the Jersey Shore! All summer long, you’ll find the best things to do in New Jersey in our beach towns. There are the rowdier spots like Seaside Heights, the family-friendly retreats like Ocean City, and the quiet towns with nothing but soft sand calling your name, like Sea Isle. Beyond the beaches, families can enjoy great shopping at outlets in Tinton Falls, Jackson, and Blackwood, or they can visit the attractions and theme parks at the American Dreams Meadowland Complex. What are the most scenic places to visit in New Jersey? New Jersey is home to so many beautiful parks and preserves. The Pinelands cover much of south Jersey and showcase a pristine coastal pine ecosystem that’s getting rarer and rarer along the East Coast. In the Skylands or Highlands, you’ll find rocky ridges and mountains that offer unparalleled hiking. It’s hard to top the overlooks along the Delaware River, too - from Fort Mott to Mount Tammany. Which must-visit attractions in New Jersey belong on everyone’s bucket list? Some of the quirkiest and most popular spots in the state deserve to be seen! Add Lucy the Elephant, in Margate, to your Garden State Bucket List ASAP! Speaking of Gardens - places like Grounds for Sculpture, Deep Cut Gardens, and Rutgers Gardens are worth a visit, too. Some other must-visit attractions include the Delaware Water Gap, The Great Falls in Paterson, Liberty Science Center, and the Burlington County Prison Museum. Each of these places offers a glimpse at the natural and manmade history that’s shaped New Jersey’s story since the beginning of time, and each destination will capture your heart and remind you of why you love to live in New Jersey.
The OIYS Visitor Center
best road trips in New Jersey
August 12, 2021
Kim Magaraci
What are the best things to do in New Jersey for families? For generations, families have been embarking on some of the best road trips in New Jersey in order to see the Jersey Shore! All summer long, you’ll find the best things to do in New Jersey in our beach towns. There are the rowdier spots like Seaside Heights, the family-friendly retreats like Ocean City, and the quiet towns with nothing but soft sand calling your name, like Sea Isle. Beyond the beaches, families can enjoy great shopping at outlets in Tinton Falls, Jackson, and Blackwood, or they can visit the attractions and theme parks at the American Dreams Meadowland Complex. What are the most scenic places to visit in New Jersey? New Jersey is home to so many beautiful parks and preserves. The Pinelands cover much of south Jersey and showcase a pristine coastal pine ecosystem that’s getting rarer and rarer along the East Coast. In the Skylands or Highlands, you’ll find rocky ridges and mountains that offer unparalleled hiking. It’s hard to top the overlooks along the Delaware River, too - from Fort Mott to Mount Tammany. Which must-visit attractions in New Jersey belong on everyone’s bucket list? Some of the quirkiest and most popular spots in the state deserve to be seen! Add Lucy the Elephant, in Margate, to your Garden State Bucket List ASAP! Speaking of Gardens - places like Grounds for Sculpture, Deep Cut Gardens, and Rutgers Gardens are worth a visit, too. Some other must-visit attractions include the Delaware Water Gap, The Great Falls in Paterson, Liberty Science Center, and the Burlington County Prison Museum. Each of these places offers a glimpse at the natural and manmade history that’s shaped New Jersey’s story since the beginning of time, and each destination will capture your heart and remind you of why you love to live in New Jersey.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
For generations, families have been embarking on some of the best road trips in New Jersey in order to see the Jersey Shore! All summer long, you’ll find the best things to do in New Jersey in our beach towns. There are the rowdier spots like Seaside Heights, the family-friendly retreats like Ocean City, and the quiet towns with nothing but soft sand calling your name, like Sea Isle. Beyond the beaches, families can enjoy great shopping at outlets in Tinton Falls, Jackson, and Blackwood, or they can visit the attractions and theme parks at the American Dreams Meadowland Complex.
What are the most scenic places to visit in New Jersey?
New Jersey is home to so many beautiful parks and preserves. The Pinelands cover much of south Jersey and showcase a pristine coastal pine ecosystem that’s getting rarer and rarer along the East Coast. In the Skylands or Highlands, you’ll find rocky ridges and mountains that offer unparalleled hiking. It’s hard to top the overlooks along the Delaware River, too - from Fort Mott to Mount Tammany.
Which must-visit attractions in New Jersey belong on everyone’s bucket list?
Some of the quirkiest and most popular spots in the state deserve to be seen! Add Lucy the Elephant, in Margate, to your Garden State Bucket List ASAP! Speaking of Gardens - places like Grounds for Sculpture, Deep Cut Gardens, and Rutgers Gardens are worth a visit, too. Some other must-visit attractions include the Delaware Water Gap, The Great Falls in Paterson, Liberty Science Center, and the Burlington County Prison Museum. Each of these places offers a glimpse at the natural and manmade history that’s shaped New Jersey’s story since the beginning of time, and each destination will capture your heart and remind you of why you love to live in New Jersey.
