The New Jersey Turnpike is a major highway that runs through the state of New Jersey. It is a popular route for drivers traveling between New York City and Philadelphia. With heavy traffic volumes, rest stops along the Turnpike provide important places for travelers to take a break, use restroom facilities, get gas and food, walk around and stretch their legs.
For drivers undertaking the full length of the Turnpike from the George Washington Bridge to the Delaware Memorial Bridge, knowing where the rest stops are located can help plan trip timing and stops. There are a total of 11 service plazas along the New Jersey Turnpike mainline providing rest stops and amenities for travelers.
The Turnpike is divided into four sections. From north to south these are the Newark Bay Extension (Exits 14-14C), the Northern Section (Exits 14C-7A), the Western Spur (Exit 6-6A), and the Southern Section (Exits 1-7A).
Northern Section
The Northern section of the Turnpike runs from Exit 14C in Newark to Exit 7A in Bordentown. This 48 mile stretch of roadway includes 7 service plazas.
The service plazas on the Northern Section from north to south are:
- Vince Lombardi Service Area (Mile 114.5)
- Joyce Kilmer Service Area (Mile 71.5)
- Grover Cleveland Service Area (Mile 67.5)
- Richard Stockton Service Area (Mile 53.5)
- Walt Whitman Service Area (Mile 30.5)
- Woodrow Wilson Service Area (Mile 20.5)
- Thomas Edison Service Area (Mile 10.5)
All of the service plazas have fuel, convenience stores, and fast food options. Most have sit-down restaurants as well. They provide ample parking for passenger vehicles and trucks.
Notable Service Plazas on the Northern Section
Two of the largest service plazas are the Vince Lombardi plaza at Mile 114.5, named after the famous football coach, and the Joyce Kilmer plaza at Mile 71.5, named for the poet and journalist. Both feature a wide variety of food options and other amenities for travelers.
The Walt Whitman Service Area at Mile 30.5 is the final plaza before the Western Spur splits off from the mainline. This service plaza is often very busy with travelers stopping before the split.
Western Spur
The short Western Spur section of the Turnpike connects Exit 6 of the main Turnpike near Florence with I-295 near Bordentown at Exit 7A. It is 6 miles long and has 1 service plaza:
- John Fenwick Service Plaza (Mile 5.5)
The John Fenwick plaza provides the only rest stop option for travelers on this section that leads to I-295 and the western suburbs of Trenton.
Southern Section
After the Western Spur rejoins the mainline Turnpike at Exit 7A, the Southern Section of the Turnpike runs for 40 miles from Bordentown to Exit 1 at Deepwater. This stretch includes 3 service plazas:
- James Fenimore Cooper Service Area (Mile 39.5)
- Clara Barton Service Area (Mile 33.4)
- John Howard Service Area (Mile 24.5)
These plazas allow travelers heading towards Philadelphia and Delaware to stop for amenities along the way. The John Howard plaza at Mile 24.5 provides the last plaza before drivers reach the Delaware Memorial Bridge.
Summary of Rest Stops
To summarize, there are a total of 11 service plazas located along the mainline New Jersey Turnpike. 7 service plazas are located on the Northern Section, 1 plaza on the Western Spur, and 3 plazas on the Southern Section.
| Turnpike Section | Number of Service Plazas |
|---|---|
| Northern Section | 7 |
| Western Spur | 1 |
| Southern Section | 3 |
| Total | 11 |
The plazas are spaced out along the Turnpike to provide rest stop access without requiring drivers to go too far between plazas. Their amenities allow travelers to take breaks approximately every 30-45 miles along the Turnpike’s 118 mile total length.
Conclusion
For drivers undertaking long road trips on the New Jersey Turnpike, knowing where the service plazas are located can help plan out the journey. There are 7 main service plazas on the Northern Section, 1 on the Western Spur, and 3 plazas on the Southern Section, for a total of 11 plazas along the full highway. The plazas provide important places to take breaks from driving, use restroom facilities, get gas and food, stretch legs, and recharge during a long drive between New York and Philadelphia or other Turnpike destinations.
While driving non-stop may seem quicker, taking regular rest breaks at the plazas can make the travel time pass more quickly and allow arriving at the destination refreshed and ready to go. So for an optimal trip down the Turnpike, be sure to take advantage of the rest stops approximately every 30-45 miles. The 11 plazas are there to provide services to travelers along the way.