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Driving NYC to Atlantic City - Sights/Tolls

Driving NYC to Atlantic City - Sights/Tolls

Old Sep 1, 2013, 2:08 pm
  #1  
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Driving NYC to Atlantic City - Sights/Tolls

Hi all,

It looks like I'll probably be in the Northeast in late October, with the option of taking the train from Manhattan to Atlantic City, or renting a car and driving. This will be on a weekday, and I've the entire day to make the trip. Since I found a one-way rate on carrentals.com for a Full Size from Budget (Impala or similar) for $79 all-in, including the drop-off charge, I thought I'd take advantage of the drive.

I read the wikipedia article about the Garden State Parkway, but it didn't have much info on what there might be worthwhile to stop and visit along the way. Does anyone have any suggestions for what might be noteworthy that I shouldn't find out later that I missed? Also any suggestions for a place to stop for lunch would be great, too, for seafood in particular.

I've also a question about the tollwayI'm assuming that if I bring a roll of quarters with me, that should take care of cash tolls along the way. Will that be enough?

Thanks very much.
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Old Sep 1, 2013, 4:09 pm
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I can't answer your questions, but just want to point out a third option: bus. Both Academy and Greyhound offer roundtrip casino "package" fares from Manhattan's Port Authority Bus Terminal, which include coupons for free slot play or cash back from the casinos. And Megabus sells space on Academy's A.C. runs at a discount. Megabus' schedules are not yet loaded for late October, but for a weekday in late September, I'm seeing Megabus fares as low as $12 for the roundtrip package on Academy. Even if you throw away the return ticket and never use the casino bonuses, that's still not a bad way to get to A.C., if you are willing to forgo the en-route sightseeing and lunch.
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Old Sep 2, 2013, 6:35 am
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The drive from NY to AC isn't really that long, and I would not bother to stop for lunch along the way--just get yourself down there and eat in AC. If you really have a mind to stop, you could do it in Red Bank, which is just a bit short of halfway, or Asbury Park, a few minutes further south. Red Bank's good restaurants are a little closer to the Parkway (about 10 minutes) while Asbury's are about 20 minutes away from the road. Asbury is arguably the more interesting place to visit, being mildly renowned for its musical history, but its dilapidated charms might not be for everyone. Red Bank is much more prosperous and thriving, but it isn't on the ocean, so no view or boardwalk.

If you want to drive further south, there are more beach towns with boardwalks, all about 15-20 minutes from the Parkway.

Your roll of quarters would be fine but I would strongly suggest renting a car with an EZ-Pass transponder, if that's at all possible. There are a ridiculous number of toll collection points along the Parkway and your trip will be much faster if you have EZ-Pass (with it, you don't have to stop, whereas the cash lanes always have a backup).
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Old Sep 2, 2013, 9:06 pm
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I agree with the suggestion to get a car with an EZ pass transponder - otherwise you'll be stuck in long lines at the tolls. They have reduced the number of toll booths along the way, thank goodness.
There aren't many interesting places to stop; as another posted stated, just drive down and save your time for Atlantic City.

If you enjoy outlet shopping, you could stop at the Jersey Shore Premium Outlets, located close to the Parkway about 3/4 of the way down.

In the NYC metropolitan area, the Parkway is a congested 4-5 lane wide (each way) highway with crazy a** Jersey drivers swerving in and out of lanes, but further down it becomes a rather sedate drive, so bring along your favorite tunes to play or get a car with Sirius/XM and enjoy the drive. :-)
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Old Sep 3, 2013, 4:37 am
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Originally Posted by rittenhousesq
the Parkway is a congested 4-5 lane wide (each way) highway with crazy a** Jersey drivers swerving in and out of lanes
Hey, I resemble that remark
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Old Sep 4, 2013, 12:30 pm
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Originally Posted by travelmad478
Hey, I resemble that remark
LOL Are you the one to whom I yelled expletives, just past the exit for I280, at around 1:30 PM this past Monday?
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Old Sep 4, 2013, 1:11 pm
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Not that day, but probably another one. Born, raised, and learned to drive at exit 102
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Old Oct 1, 2013, 11:37 pm
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Originally Posted by AeroWesty
Hi all,

It looks like I'll probably be in the Northeast in late October, with the option of taking the train from Manhattan to Atlantic City, or renting a car and driving. This will be on a weekday, and I've the entire day to make the trip. Since I found a one-way rate on carrentals.com for a Full Size from Budget (Impala or similar) for $79 all-in, including the drop-off charge, I thought I'd take advantage of the drive.

I read the wikipedia article about the Garden State Parkway, but it didn't have much info on what there might be worthwhile to stop and visit along the way. Does anyone have any suggestions for what might be noteworthy that I shouldn't find out later that I missed? Also any suggestions for a place to stop for lunch would be great, too, for seafood in particular.

I've also a question about the tollway—I'm assuming that if I bring a roll of quarters with me, that should take care of cash tolls along the way. Will that be enough?

Thanks very much.
Train fro Manhattan means connecting in Philadelphia... I wouldn't suggest going this route. Bus option using Casino Express is economical, practically a free bus ride after rebates/cash back from sponsoring casino property.

Just curious about one-way car rental... are you flying out of AYC thereafter?
Drive from NYC to AC will be around 2-2.5 hours via the NJ Turnpike South to exit 11 to Garden State Parkway South to exit 38 to Atlantic City Expressway East. EZ Pass equipped car-rental is better option over cash lane toll boths.

If you take the Holland Tunnel out of NYC, you can stop by Liberty State Park in Jersey City (NJTP Exit 14B) to take a view of New York syline. Parking is free near the waterfront for upto 2 hours. Central Railroad of NJ Station is also located there. From here on drive straight down to AC as there are no other convenient attractions along the way. Cash tolls for NJTP, GSP & ACE will be around $11.

if you need details, feel free to PM me...

Last edited by mtneer1969; Oct 1, 2013 at 11:46 pm
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Old Jan 12, 2014, 10:57 am
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Not much to see on the way down to AC. I have made the drive several times and usually am just trying to get there. One alternative is the ACEs train. Eliminates the risk of traffic. You can never avoid traffic on the GSP.
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Old Jan 12, 2014, 3:36 pm
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Originally Posted by lapo1234
Not much to see on the way down to AC. I have made the drive several times and usually am just trying to get there. One alternative is the ACEs train. Eliminates the risk of traffic. You can never avoid traffic on the GSP.
The ACES train is no longer an option:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanti...xpress_Service
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