From bustling interstates to historic U.S. routes and iconic tollways, New Jersey is home to some of the most heavily traveled and expansive roadways in the country. Here’s a countdown of the 10 longest roads that traverse the Garden State, measured by total length and presence within New Jersey.
[Editor’s Note: US206 (130 miles) was left off the original story. This has been corrected as of 3/17/2026.]
11. U.S. Route 40
Source: Adobe Stock
Caption: Traffic trails on Delaware Memorial Bridge at dusk.
Total length: ~2,285 miles
NJ segment: ~64 miles
Endpoints: Delaware Memorial Bridge to Atlantic City, NJ
Originally part of the Lincoln Highway, US 40 runs across southern New Jersey and connects travelers from the Delaware Memorial Bridge to the Atlantic coast.
Fun Fact: Portions of U.S. 40 have been featured in films, including Rain Man, where the highway’s long, empty desert stretches were used for key driving scenes.
10. U.S. Route 1
Source: Adobe Stock
Caption: Route 1 brings thousands of students to Rutgers University each day.
Total length: ~2,370 miles
NJ segment: ~66 miles
Endpoints: Trenton, NJ to Fort Lee, NJ
One of the country’s original highways, US 1 connects state capitals, major cities, and ports as it crosses New Jersey between Pennsylvania and New York.
Fun Fact: US 1 was originally known as the Post Road in colonial times and connected key mail routes.
9. Interstate 287
Caption: I-287 forms a vital beltway around the New York metropolitan region, carrying commuters and freight through the heart of northern New Jersey each day.
Total length: ~98 miles
NJ segment: ~67 miles
Endpoints: Edison, NJ to Mahwah, NJ
Interstate 287 serves as a major bypass around New York City, running north-south through Middlesex, Somerset, Morris, Passaic, and Bergen counties. The highway links I-95, I-78, I-80, and the New York State Thruway, making it one of the most important connector routes in the region. It passes through some of New Jersey’s largest corporate office parks, industrial centers, and commuter corridors.
Fun Fact: The northern portion of I-287 crosses the New York state line and continues as part of the I-87 corridor near the New York State Thruway, helping form a continuous loop around the metropolitan area.
8. Interstate 78
Source: Adobe Stock
Caption: I-78 carries commuters, freight, and port traffic across northern New Jersey each day, linking urban centers with critical distribution hubs.
Total length: ~144 miles
NJ segment: 67.83 miles
Endpoints: Phillipsburg, NJ to Newark, NJ
A major east-west corridor, I-78 enters New Jersey from Pennsylvania at the Delaware River and runs across Warren, Hunterdon, Somerset, Union, and Essex counties before terminating in Newark near the Port of New York and New Jersey.
Fun Fact: I-78 serves as a key freight route, connecting distribution centers in western New Jersey to Newark Liberty International Airport and the region’s marine terminals.I-78 includes the Newark Bay Extension of the New Jersey Turnpike system and provides direct access to one of the busiest cargo ports on the East Coast, making it a critical link in the national supply chain.
7. Interstate 80
Source: Adobe Stock
Caption: I-80 runs along the Delaware Water Gap, offering views of Mount Tammany in Worthington State Forest.
Total length: ~2,901 miles
NJ segment: 68.54 miles
Endpoints: Delaware Water Gap to Teaneck, NJ
I-80 begins in San Francisco and finishes in Teaneck, New Jersey. In the Garden State, it spans the northern corridor, linking rural towns to the NYC metro.
Fun Fact: I-80 roughly parallels the route of the old Oregon Trail.
6. Interstate 95
Source: Adobe Stock
Caption: I-95 is the most traveled interstate in the US.
Total length: ~1,906 miles
NJ segment: ~78 miles
Endpoints: Pennsville, NJ to Fort Lee, NJ (via NJ Turnpike)
This east coast backbone runs north-south from Florida to Maine, with its New Jersey portion mainly following the New Jersey Turnpike.
Fun Fact: I-95 is the longest north-south interstate in the U.S. and passes through 15 states.
5. U.S. Route 202
Source: Adobe Stock
Caption: US 202 connects NJ & PA via the New Hope Lambertville Toll Bridge
Total length: ~630 miles
NJ segment: ~80 miles
Endpoints: Lambertville, NJ to Mahwah, NJ
Running diagonally through New Jersey, US 202 is a scenic and historic route connecting small towns, suburbs, and interstate crossings.
Fun fact: Most U.S. highways run north–south or east–west. U.S. 202 cuts on a northeast–southwest diagonal, weaving through eight states: DE, PA, NJ, NY, CT, MA, NH and ME.
4. New Jersey Turnpike
Source: Adobe Stock
Total length: ~117 miles (all within NJ)
Endpoints: Delaware Memorial Bridge to George Washington Bridge
The NJ Turnpike is the state’s most iconic toll road and the main freight corridor for the Northeast. It doubles as a large section of I-95.
Fun Fact: The Turnpike is famous for its themed service areas, each named after a prominent New Jerseyan like Thomas Edison, Clara Barton, and Bruce Springsteen.
3. US Route 206
Source: Google Maps
Caption: US 206 runs through the rural landscapes of central and northwestern New Jersey, connecting small towns, farms and historic communities.
Total length: ~130 miles
NJ segment: ~130 miles
Endpoints: Hammonton, NJ to Montague, NJ
U.S. Route 206 runs north–south through the heart of New Jersey, stretching from Hammonton in Atlantic County to the Delaware River at Montague near the New York border. The highway passes through Burlington, Mercer, Somerset, Morris and Sussex counties.
The route intersects several major highways including I-295, I-195, I-80 and U.S. 46, making it an important connector between central and northern New Jersey. In many communities, Route 206 serves as a traditional “main street” corridor lined with local businesses, restaurants and historic buildings.
Fun Fact: U.S. 206 continues into Pennsylvania for just half a mile before its terminus.
2. U.S. Route 9 (US 9)
Source: Adobe Stock
Caption: Interstate 95 and US Route 1 & 9 run across the George Washington Bridge.
Total length: ~523 miles
NJ segment: ~167 miles
Endpoints: Cape May, NJ to Fort Lee, NJ
US 9 holds the distinction of being the longest continuous route within New Jersey, spanning nearly the entire state and paralleling the Garden State Parkway for much of its run.
Fun Fact: Much of US 9 follows colonial-era routes and old Native American trails.
Whether you’re commuting, road-tripping, or just exploring your own backyard, these roadways form the veins of New Jersey’s infrastructure. They link our communities and fuel commerce.
1. Garden State Parkway
Source: Adobe Stock
Total length: ~172 miles (all within NJ)
Endpoints: Cape May, NJ to Montvale, NJ
The GSP runs nearly the full length of New Jersey from its southern shore to its northernmost border with New York, serving millions of commuters and tourists alike.
Fun Fact: The Parkway was designed with aesthetics in mind, including tree-lined medians and scenic overpasses.
Sources:
Federal Highway Administration. (2021). U.S. Route Log and Finder List. U.S. Department of Transportation. https://www.fhwa.dot.gov
New Jersey Department of Transportation. (2023). NJ State Highway Mileage Reports. https://www.state.nj.us/transportation
New Jersey Turnpike Authority. (2022). Annual Report. https://www.njta.com
Interstate Guide. (n.d.). I-80 and I-95 Route Profiles. https://www.interstate-guide.com
Google Maps. (2023). Road Distance and Mapping Tool. https://maps.google.com
Wikipedia contributors. (2026, February 16). List of Interstate Highways in New Jersey. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved February 25, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Interstate_Highways_in_New_Jersey
