🛣️ The Complete NJ Turnpike Exit Guide
Every Exit, Every Story: From Deepwater to the George Washington Bridge
148 miles • 18 exits • Endless New Jersey character
Welcome to the ultimate guide to America’s most infamous—and most essential—highway.
The New Jersey Turnpike isn’t just a road. It’s a 148-mile cultural artifact, an economic artery, and for millions of daily commuters, it’s home. Love it or hate it (most New Jerseyans do both simultaneously), you can’t understand New Jersey without understanding “the Pike.”
This guide covers every single exit from the Delaware Memorial Bridge to the George Washington Bridge, with fascinating facts, local history, and hidden gems you never knew existed just off America’s busiest toll road.
Brought to you by folks who’ve driven this road thousands of times—and occasionally needed anger management after sitting in Exit 14 traffic. We’re local. We get it.
Southern Reaches: Salem & Gloucester Counties (Exits 1-3)
Welcome to New Jersey! Exit 1 sits at the southern terminus of the Turnpike, where the Delaware Memorial Bridge dumps thousands of cars into the Garden State daily.
Deepwater was once home to a massive DuPont chemical plant that employed thousands. The industrial waterfront along the Delaware River here shaped southern New Jersey’s economy for generations.
The Delaware Memorial Bridge (opened 1951, twin span 1968) is one of the busiest river crossings in America. Over 80,000 vehicles cross daily, making this the gateway to both New Jersey AND the entire Northeast for I-95 traffic.
Local Landmark: Fort Mott State Park, just south of here, offers stunning Delaware River views and Civil War-era fortifications. It’s where southern New Jersey defended against… well, threats that never materialized, but the fort remains cool to explore.
Population: Pennsville Township: ~13,000. Small, industrial, proudly working-class.
This exit serves two distinctly different communities: Swedesboro (historic, charming) and Bridgeport (industrial, Delaware River-adjacent).
Swedesboro is one of the oldest Swedish settlements in America, founded in 1638. Yes, before the Pilgrims were even done with Plymouth Rock, Swedes were building log cabins in South Jersey. The town celebrates its Swedish heritage annually with festivals and maintains historic buildings from the 1700s.
Built in 1784 (current structure), this is one of America’s oldest churches in continuous use. The congregation dates to 1703. George Washington supposedly worshipped here. Whether he actually did or not, every historic NJ building claims Washington slept/ate/prayed there.
Modern Economy: Gloucester County has transformed from agricultural to logistics/warehousing. Amazon, UPS, and countless distribution centers dot the landscape near the Turnpike.
Population: Swedesboro: ~2,600 (quaint) • Logan Township (includes Bridgeport): ~6,000
Welcome to the Philadelphia metro area. Traffic just got more complicated. Exit 3 is where I-295 meets the Turnpike, creating a major interchange for folks heading to Philly suburbs, South Jersey Shore, or Delaware.
I-295 is New Jersey’s “bypass” highway—it was built so through-traffic could avoid the congestion of the Turnpike’s northern sections. Spoiler: Both are now congested. But I-295 is prettier, with fewer tolls and more trees.
Just east of here is Cherry Hill, home to one of America’s first indoor shopping malls (Cherry Hill Mall, opened 1961). It revolutionized suburban retail and killed countless small-town downtowns. Progress!
Hidden Gem: Timber Creek Park, accessible via nearby routes, offers hiking trails and peaceful escapes mere minutes from the Turnpike chaos.
Local Culture: This is deep South Jersey/Philly suburbs territory. Eagles fans. Wawa devotees. “Hoagie” not “sub.” Water ice in summer. You’re in the Delaware Valley now.
Camden & Burlington Counties (Exits 4-5)
Mount Laurel gave America more than just another suburban interchange—it gave us landmark housing law.
Two NJ Supreme Court cases—known collectively as “Mount Laurel I & II”—established that municipalities must provide realistic opportunities for affordable housing. It’s one of the most important affordable housing precedents in American law. Mount Laurel accidentally became a civil rights landmark while trying to zone out affordable housing. The irony is not lost on legal scholars.
Mount Laurel hosts massive corporate campuses: TD Bank, NFL Films, Lockheed Martin, and dozens of others. The “Route 73 Corridor” is South Jersey’s corporate heartland. Thousands of office workers spend 8 hours here, then flee to the suburbs.
NFL Films: Yes, THE NFL Films—the ones who produce every NFL documentary, Super Bowl highlight, and that dramatic music you hear during football—are headquartered right here. Mount Laurel is where football becomes cinema.
Population: Mount Laurel: ~42,000
💼 Fun fact: With all these corporate campuses, Exit 4 area sees significant demand for professional services—from divorce mediation (corporate relocations strain marriages) to anger management (Route 73 traffic will test anyone’s patience).
This exit serves Burlington City, one of New Jersey’s most historic—and most overlooked—cities.
Burlington City was New Jersey’s co-capital (alternating with Perth Amboy) from 1681 to 1790. This tiny city was once the seat of colonial government, hosting legislative sessions, royal governors, and significant Revolutionary War activity.
The author of “Last of the Mohicans” was born in Burlington in 1789. He didn’t stay long (family moved to New York when he was a baby), but Burlington claims him anyway. New Jersey isn’t letting this one go.
Burlington County Prison Museum: This 1811 prison (yes, 1811—Thomas Jefferson was still alive) operated until 1965. Now it’s a museum. You can tour cells that held criminals for 154 years. It’s genuinely fascinating and slightly creepy.
Modern Burlington: Population ~10,000. Historic, quaint, with beautiful Delaware River waterfront. Feels like a time capsule—in a good way. Worth the detour if you have 30 minutes.
Mercer County: Trenton Area (Exits 6-8)
This is THE connection between the NJ Turnpike and Pennsylvania Turnpike. If you’re driving I-95 from Maine to Florida, you just switched from NJ Turnpike to PA Turnpike (or vice versa) right here.
For decades, I-95 was BROKEN here. The NJ Turnpike and PA Turnpike didn’t connect directly—you had to exit and navigate surface streets. In 2018, they finally built a direct interchange, completing I-95 as a continuous highway from Miami to Maine. Only took 60+ years.
Florence and surrounding areas host massive warehousing/distribution operations. If you’ve ordered anything online, there’s a decent chance it passed through a Florence-area warehouse on its journey to you.
Local Landmark: Roebling Memorial Park honors John A. Roebling, who built the Brooklyn Bridge and maintained a wire rope factory in Trenton (just north of here) for decades.
Welcome to New Jersey’s capital! Trenton. Where the state’s political drama unfolds daily. Also: your gateway to the Jersey Shore via I-195.
This iconic slogan blazes across the Lower Trenton Bridge over the Delaware River. At its peak (1900s-1950s), Trenton was an industrial powerhouse manufacturing steel, wire rope, pottery, rubber, and more. The slogan wasn’t bragging—it was fact. Trenton’s factories supplied the world.
Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River (that famous painting) led to the Battle of Trenton, where Washington’s forces surprised and defeated Hessian troops. This victory revived the Continental Army’s morale and changed the Revolutionary War’s trajectory. Without Trenton, American independence might have failed. No pressure, Trenton.
I-195 Connection: This interstate runs straight east to the Jersey Shore (Belmar, Point Pleasant, Seaside Heights). Summer Fridays, Exit 7A becomes a parking lot as North Jersey/NYC residents flee to the beach.
Population: Trenton: ~90,000 (down from 130K+ in 1950s). Post-industrial struggles, but improving.
🏛️ State capital = stress. Between legislative sessions, political battles, and state government bureaucracy, Trenton-area residents keep our anger management services busy. Politicians especially. (Kidding. Mostly.)
Route 206 runs north-south through central New Jersey, connecting Trenton to Princeton, Somerville, and beyond.
Via Route 206, you reach Princeton—one of America’s oldest universities (founded 1746), home to Nobel laureates, presidents (James Madison, Woodrow Wilson), and Supreme Court justices. Also: eating clubs, preppy privilege, and the highest concentration of tweed jackets per capita in New Jersey.
Bordentown: This historic city along the Delaware River was home to Thomas Paine (author of “Common Sense”) and Clara Barton (founder of American Red Cross). It’s also where Napoleon’s brother Joseph Bonaparte lived in exile from 1816-1839. Yes, THAT Bonaparte family. He built a mansion, married a local woman, and lived out his days in Jersey. As one does after your brother loses Waterloo.
This exit serves multiple suburban communities and connects to Route 33, a major east-west road leading to Freehold and eventually the Shore.
America’s oldest half-mile harness racing track (established 1854). For 170 years, horses have raced in Freehold. It’s a New Jersey institution—part sport, part gambling, all nostalgia.
Freehold is where “The Boss” was born and raised. Bruce Springsteen’s working-class Jersey anthems were born from Freehold’s streets. “Thunder Road,” “Born to Run,” “My Hometown”—they’re all soaked in Freehold/Monmouth County DNA. Exit 8 area is Springsteen country.
Modern Suburb Life: This area has exploded with suburban development since the 1980s. Tract housing, shopping centers, corporate parks—classic Central Jersey sprawl.
Middlesex County: Central Jersey Heartland (Exits 9-10-11)
Welcome to New Brunswick, “The Healthcare City” and home to Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.
J&J has been headquartered in New Brunswick since 1886. This pharmaceutical/medical device giant shapes the city’s economy, skyline, and identity. Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital is one of the nation’s top medical centers.
Founded 1766 (as Queen’s College), Rutgers is older than the United States itself. With 70,000+ students across New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden campuses, it’s New Jersey’s flagship public university. Also: birthplace of college football (first game: Rutgers vs. Princeton, 1869).
Cultural Diversity: New Brunswick is one of New Jersey’s most diverse cities. Thriving Latin American, Asian, Caribbean, and Eastern European communities. The food scene is outstanding—Easton Avenue alone has incredible ethnic restaurants.
Population: New Brunswick: ~56,000 (plus 50,000+ students when Rutgers is in session)
🎓 College town = relationship stress. Between long-distance relationships, post-graduation transitions, and student loan arguments, Exit 9 area generates steady demand for both divorce mediation and couples counseling.
This massive interchange connects the Turnpike to I-287 (leading to I-78, I-80, Northern NJ) and Route 440 (leading to Perth Amboy and Staten Island).
Like Burlington, Perth Amboy was New Jersey’s colonial co-capital (1686-1790). The Proprietary House, built 1764, served as the royal governor’s mansion. Benjamin Franklin was a frequent visitor. It’s the only remaining proprietary governor’s mansion in the original 13 colonies.
At its peak, Perth Amboy was a major Atlantic port. The city sits on Raritan Bay with direct access to the Atlantic. While overshadowed today by Newark/Elizabeth ports, Perth Amboy’s maritime history runs deep.
The Outerbridge Crossing: Just east of here, the Outerbridge Crossing connects Perth Amboy to Staten Island, NY. Named after Eugenius Outerbridge (first chairman of the Port Authority), not because it’s the “outer bridge” (though it is).
Modern Perth Amboy: Population ~55,000. Predominantly Hispanic/Latino (70%+). Working-class city with rich history and strong community identity.
This is THE big one. The Turnpike-Parkway interchange. Two of America’s busiest toll roads meet here in a massive spaghetti junction.
The Garden State Parkway runs 172 miles from Cape May to the New York border. It’s the “scenic” toll road (compared to the industrial Turnpike). At Exit 11, northbound Shore traffic splits: Turnpike (faster, industrial, trucks allowed) or Parkway (prettier, lighter traffic, NO TRUCKS over 10,000 lbs).
The area around Exit 11—Carteret, Linden, Elizabeth—hosts massive oil refineries. Phillips 66, Chevron, others. This is where gasoline is made. The smell? That’s industry, baby. Northern drivers know: when you smell refineries, you’re almost to NYC.
Woodbridge Township: At 100,000+ residents, Woodbridge is New Jersey’s 7th largest municipality. It’s massive, spanning from the Turnpike to the Parkway, encompassing multiple distinct communities.
The Urban Corridor: Union & Essex Counties (Exits 12-14)
Route 1&9—the truck route, the divey motels route, the “before the Turnpike existed” route—runs parallel to the Turnpike through New Jersey’s industrial heartland.
This stretch is CLASSIC Jersey diner territory. Chrome exteriors, 24-hour service, Greek ownership, disco fries at 3am. If you want authentic NJ diner culture, exit here and drive Route 1&9. You’ll find treasures.
Rahway: This city of 30,000 is undergoing revitalization. The Rahway Arts District, Union County Performing Arts Center, and Main Street redevelopment are bringing new energy to this historically industrial city.
THIS IS IT. The big one. Exit 13 is iconic, infamous, essential, and absolutely MASSIVE.
One of America’s oldest airports (opened 1928), Newark is the New York metro area’s busiest airport for international flights. 46+ million passengers annually. United Airlines’ primary East Coast hub. If you’ve flown to Europe from the NYC area, you probably went through Newark.
THE largest container port on the East Coast. One of the world’s busiest seaports. Those massive container ships you see? They dock here. Billions of dollars in cargo move through Port Newark annually. The port employs tens of thousands and is the economic engine of the region.
Population 137,000. Incredibly diverse (50%+ Hispanic/Latino, significant Portuguese, Caribbean, Asian populations). First capital of New Jersey (1665). Industrial powerhouse. Home to massive Ikea distribution center. Traffic nightmare. Absolute character.
The Goethals Bridge: Connects Elizabeth to Staten Island. Named after George Washington Goethals (chief engineer of the Panama Canal). It’s been rebuilt/replaced recently with a beautiful new span.
Exit 13 Reputation: This exit is LEGENDARY for traffic, complexity, and “where the hell do I go?” confusion. Multiple routes split off. Signage is… challenging. First-timers panic. Regulars curse. Everyone survives. Eventually.
🚗 Exit 13 traffic is a leading cause of road rage in New Jersey. We’ve counseled countless drivers through their Exit 13 trauma. You’re not alone.
Welcome to the Newark/Jersey City gateway. This exit connects to I-78, which runs straight into the Holland Tunnel and Manhattan.
Population 311,000. Economic, cultural, transportation hub. Port Newark. Newark Airport. Penn Station (major Amtrak/NJ Transit hub). Prudential Financial headquarters. Brick City. Ironbound (incredible Portuguese/Spanish/Brazilian food). NJPAC. Devils. So much more than outsiders think.
First mechanically ventilated underwater tunnel in the world. Engineering marvel. Connects Jersey City to Manhattan (Canal Street). 90,000+ vehicles daily. The tunnel fans that remove exhaust and bring in fresh air were revolutionary in 1927 and still work today.
Jersey City Connection: Via Route 1&9 or local roads from Exit 14, you reach Jersey City—New Jersey’s 2nd largest city (pop. 292,000), financial services hub, waterfront development boom, PATH train to Manhattan, incredible diversity.
Exit 14 Traffic: Famously horrible during rush hours. I-78 westbound backs up for miles. Holland Tunnel traffic. Local surface street congestion. This exit tests patience like few others.
The Final Stretch: Hudson County (Exits 14A-18W)
🔀 THE TURNPIKE SPLITS
North of Exit 14, the NJ Turnpike divides into Eastern Spur (toward George Washington Bridge) and Western Spur (toward Lincoln Tunnel). Choose wisely. Your GPS knows better than you do.
Eastern Spur: The GWB Route
Route 280 runs west through Newark and the Oranges (West Orange, East Orange, Orange, South Orange—yes, we know it’s confusing) toward suburban Essex County and Morris County.
Home of the NHL New Jersey Devils and host to major concerts, events, and college basketball. “The Rock” opened 2007 and revitalized Newark’s downtown. Seeing a Devils game? Exit 15E is your exit.
The Oranges: These adjacent municipalities (The Oranges, collectively) are historic, diverse, and undergoing revitalization. South Orange/Maplewood in particular are thriving suburban communities with excellent schools and train service to Manhattan.
This exit allows GWB-bound traffic to cut over to the Lincoln Tunnel if desired. Secaucus is the interchange.
Before online shopping killed everything, Secaucus was THE outlet shopping destination for the New York metro area. Massive outlet stores lined the roads. It’s still there, but diminished. RIP to the golden age of outlet malls.
This train station (opened 2003) is a major NJ Transit hub, connecting multiple rail lines. Thousands transfer here daily. It’s functional. Not pretty, but functional.
SPORTS. SHOPPING. TRAFFIC. This exit is pure New Jersey chaos.
Home of the New York Giants AND New York Jets (yes, both “New York” teams play in NEW JERSEY—we’ll never let NYC forget this). Seating capacity: 82,500. Super Bowl XLVIII was held here (2014). On game days, Exit 17 becomes a parking lot of epic proportions.
One of the largest malls in America. This mega-mall (opened 2019 after DECADES of construction delays) features: mall stores, indoor ski slope, indoor water park, Nickelodeon Universe theme park, NHL-size ice rink, and more. It’s absurd. It’s Jersey. It’s both amazing and questionable.
Meadowlands Sports Complex: Beyond MetLife Stadium, the Meadowlands complex includes Meadowlands Racetrack (horse racing) and formerly housed the Izod Center (RIP). This is North Jersey’s sports and entertainment epicenter.
Route 3: This highway connects the Turnpike to Route 46, the Lincoln Tunnel, and points west. It’s perpetually congested.
THE END. The George Washington Bridge. The Hudson River. Manhattan skyline. You made it.
The world’s busiest motor vehicle bridge. 103 MILLION vehicles annually cross the GWB. It connects Fort Lee, NJ to Washington Heights, Manhattan. The bridge is an Art Deco masterpiece—the towers were supposed to be clad in granite but were left as exposed steel, creating its iconic look.
Fort Lee gained national infamy during “Bridgegate”—when Chris Christie administration officials allegedly orchestrated lane closures on the GWB to punish Fort Lee’s mayor for not endorsing Christie. Traffic chaos ensued. Federal trials followed. This is peak New Jersey politics.
Fort Lee: Population 37,000. High-rise apartment living. Korean-American cultural hub (amazing Korean food on Main Street). Stunning Palisades views. GWB traffic dominates everything.
The View: Before you enter the bridge, look left. That’s the Manhattan skyline—one of the world’s most iconic urban panoramas. Worth the toll.
Western Spur: The Lincoln Tunnel Route
Same as Exit 15E, just accessed from the Western Spur. Routes to Prudential Center, Newark downtown, Route 280 west to the Oranges.
Three tubes connecting Weehawken, NJ to Midtown Manhattan (near Port Authority Bus Terminal). 120,000 vehicles daily. During rush hour, the tunnel is Exclusive Bus Lane (XBL) westbound—only buses allowed in one tube. This moves thousands of commuters efficiently (when it works).
Helix: The approach to the Lincoln Tunnel in Weehawken is called “the Helix”—a massive spiral roadway descending to tunnel level. It’s an engineering marvel and terrifying for first-time drivers.
This isn’t really an “exit” in the traditional sense—it’s where Western Spur traffic merges with Eastern Spur traffic for the final approach to the George Washington Bridge.
Last rest stop before NYC. Last chance for cheaper NJ gas. Last bathroom break. The service area is named for Alexander Hamilton (he lived in Weehawken area, famously died in a duel with Aaron Burr in Weehawken in 1804). Hamilton’s last moments were spent in New Jersey. We claim him.
Turnpike Facts & Trivia
- Length: 148 miles
- Opened: 1951 (original sections)
- Daily Traffic: 700,000+ vehicles
- Annual Revenue: $1.5+ billion in tolls
- Employees: 2,500+ (toll collectors, maintenance, police)
- Rest Areas: 12 service areas (named after NJ historical figures)
- Fatalities: Remarkably safe for volume (aggressive enforcement helps)
The NJTA has its own police force—one of the largest in New Jersey with 260+ sworn officers. They patrol 148 miles of Turnpike plus Garden State Parkway (172 miles). If you speed on the Turnpike, they WILL catch you. Radar, aircraft, unmarked cars—they have it all.
- The Sopranos: Multiple scenes filmed at Turnpike rest areas
- Garden State (2004): Iconic NJ film features Turnpike scenes
- Bruce Springsteen: “State Trooper” references driving the Turnpike alone at night
- Countless songs, movies, TV shows use the Turnpike as shorthand for “New Jersey”
You’ve Driven the Pike. You’ve Earned This.
Whether you’re a daily commuter cursing Exit 14 traffic, a road warrior crossing the state weekly, or someone who just finished their first white-knuckle journey through Exit 13, you’re part of the Turnpike story now.
This guide brought to you by folks who’ve driven every mile, sat in every traffic jam, and cursed every toll plaza on this legendary road.
New Jersey Anger Management Group • 3-4-5 Divorce
Because we understand New Jersey stress. All of it.
Anger Management Services • Divorce Services
📞 201-205-3201
Serving all 18 exits and everywhere in between
Share Your Turnpike Story
Got a favorite exit? Worst traffic experience? Best rest area? Most confusing interchange?
Every New Jerseyan has Turnpike stories. This road is our shared experience—for better or worse.
Welcome to New Jersey. Enjoy the ride. Watch your speed. And remember: it’s TAYLOR HAM. Not pork roll. (Unless you’re from South Jersey. Then it’s pork roll. We’re not judging. Much.)