New Jersey driving guide

If you’re planning to drive in New Jersey for the first time, there are some driving rules you should keep in mind. From speed regulation to toll roads, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about driving in The Garden State.

Jump to a section:

• Quick rules of the road
• Speed limits
• Toll roads
• Driving ages
• Essential equipment
• Speed violations
• Driving with children
• Gas prices
• Electric car charging
• Driving between New Jersey and other states
• Driving conditions

Quick rules of the road

• Drivers must yield right of way to all emergency vehicles, as well as postal vehicles re-en tering traffic.
• Drivers must stop at least 25 feet from a stationary school bus if it has red lights flashing.
• It is illegal to idle for more than three minutes unless there is no other option, such as being stuck in traffic or navigating a drive-through.
• You must use your headlights from 30 minutes after sunrise to 30 minutes before sunset. They should also be used when visibility is 500 feet or less.
• It is against the law to use a handheld cell phone while driving.

Speed limits in New Jersey

Find out the speed limit for different road types and areas in New Jersey, so you know what to expect if there are no road signs or markings.

Toll roads in New Jersey

New Jersey has several toll roads and toll bridges across the state.

New Jersey Turnpike

Spanning the entire state from New York City to Philadelphia, the New Jersey Turnpike is an easy and convenient way to reach major cities. There are many entry points to the New Jersey Turnpike running on I-95, NJ-700, NJ-495 and I-80.

From: Delaware Memorial Bridge

To: I-80

Cost for car: From $0.95

Cost for truck: From $3.25

Prices vary depending on the distance you travel.

How to pay: Some toll booths accept cash, but you can also pay via E-ZPass, mail, online or by phone.

Garden State Parkway

With 20 entry and exit points along the route, the Garden State Parkway is highly accessible.

From: Cape May

To: New Jersey-New York state line

Cost for car: From $1.90

Cost for truck: From $1.90. Trucks are only allowed south of exit 105.[PM(Z3]

How to pay: E-ZPass, online, with cash, by mail or phone.

Atlantic City Expressway

Stretching 44 miles with 10 entry and exit points, the Atlantic City Expressway is an easy way to travel from New Jersey to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania[DS(S4] .

From: Atlantic City

To: Philadelphia

Cost for car: $1.25-$5.50

Cost for truck: From $5.50

How to pay: Cash at the toll booth or via E-ZPass. You can get a discount if you choose to pay via E-ZPass.

I-78 Toll Bridge

From: Warren County, NJ

To: Northampton County, PA

Cost: $1.00 – with possible 40% commuter discount for E-ZPass holders.

How to pay: E-ZPass or cash

Benjamin Franklin Bridge

From: Camden, NJ

To: Philadelphia, PA

Cost: $5.00

How to pay: E-ZPass or cash

Burlington-Bristol Bridge

From: Burlington, NJ

To: Bristol Township, PA

Cost: $3.00 with E-ZPass, or $4.00 without

How to pay: E-ZPass or cash

Betsy Ross Bridge

From: Pennsauken, NJ

To: Philadelphia, PA

Cost: $5.00

How to pay: E-ZPass or cash

Commodore John Barry Bridge

From: Bridgeport, NJ

To: Philadelphia, PA

Cost: $5.00

How to pay: E-ZPass or cash

Milford-Montague Bridge

From: Montague Township, Sussex County, NJ

To: Dingman Township, Pennsylvania

Cost: $1.00 – with possible 40% commuter discount for E-ZPass holders.

How to pay: E-ZPass or cash

New Hope-Lambertville Bridge

From: Delaware Township, NJ

To: Solebury Township, Pennsylvania

Cost: $1.00 – with possible 40% commuter discount for E-ZPass holders.

How to pay: E-ZPass or cash

Portland-Columbia Toll Bridge

From: Columbia, NJ

To: Portland, Pennsylvania

Cost: $1.00 – with possible 40% commuter discount for E-ZPass holders.

How to pay: E-ZPass or cash

Tacony-Palmyra Bridge

From: Palmyra, NJ

To: Philadelphia, PA

Cost: $3.00 with E-ZPass, or $4.00 without

How to pay: E-ZPass or cash

Trenton-Morrisville Toll Bridge

From: Trenton, NJ

To: Morrisville, Pennsylvania

Cost: $1.00 – with possible 40% commuter discount for E-ZPass holders.

How to pay: E-ZPass or cash

Walt Whitman Bridge

From: Gloucester City, NJ

To: Philadelphia, PA

Cost: $5.00

How to pay: E-ZPass or cash

Driving ages and license requirements in New Jersey

• The minimum driving age in New Jersey is 16, but full driving licenses are not granted until age 18.
• The minimum age to rent a car in New Jersey with Hertz is 20.

Renters under 25 have access to a range of vehicles with Hertz but cannot choose specialty vehicles, such as the Dream Car® Collection, Prestige Collection, and the Adrenaline Collection®. Find out more about renting a car when under 25 with Hertz.

Essential equipment to carry in your car in New Jersey

In your vehicle, you must have:

• Your driver's permit
• Proof of your insurance
• Proof of your rental agreement.

There are some prohibited items that you must not carry in your Hertz car. Please check your rental agreement for further information.

New Jersey speed violations, infractions and penalties

If you’re caught speeding, you may face a fine of between $85 and $260. The amount will vary depending on how far over the limit you were traveling. If you challenge the speed ticket in court, there is an additional $34 charge.

If caught speeding, you may also receive between two and five points depending on how far over the limit you were.

Driving with children in New Jersey

• If the child is under the age of eight and less than 57 inches in height, they should be secured in a child seat in the back of the vehicle.
• Children under two years old and weighing less than 30 pounds need to be in rear-facing child seat with a five-point harness.
• Children under four years old and weighing less than 40 pounds need to be secured in the same way as a two-year-old until they no longer fit in a rear-facing seat when a forward-facing car seat with a five-point harness will be needed.
• If the child is under eight, less than 57 inches in height and has outgrown both rear and front-facing seats, they should be secured in a belt-positioning booster seat.
• A child over eight years old or more than 57 inches tall must be secured with a seat belt.

Gas prices in New Jersey

The average gas price in New Jersey is $3.68 per gallon.

Based on manufacturers’ average fuel figures:

• For a small car like a Chevrolet Spark, that’s about $0.11 per mile.
• For a larger family car like a Nissan Pathfinder, it works out at $0.13 per mile.
• For an SUV like a Ford Expedition, it’s around $0.16 per mile.

Gas price figure last updated October 21, 2022.

Electric car charging in New Jersey

If opting for an electric vehicle (EV) in New Jersey, you can drive with confidence knowing you’re never far from a charger. Roughly 95% of New Jersey is located within a 25-mile radius of a DC Fast Charger. A DC fast charger can provide a range of 60-80 miles with just 20 minutes of charging time. So, with over 300 public charging points across the state, you won’t need to worry.

Driving between New Jersey and other states

One of the benefits of renting a car with Hertz is that you can pick-up and drop-off in different locations across the US. So, as well as driving around New Jersey, you can venture further afield to states such as Maryland, Washington DC, Pennsylvania or New York.

If you’re planning on traveling internationally, you can drive across the border into Canada so long as you let us know in advance. However, you are unable to cross into Mexico in your Hertz rental car.

Driving conditions in New Jersey

New Jersey’s climate is generally cool. The average temperature is around 54°F. In winter you can expect highs of 34°F to 43°F and lows of 16°F to 28°F, while in summer, you can expect temperatures to range between 82°F and 87°F.

Severe weather conditions can be common in New Jersey and include strong winds, tornadoes, storms and extreme temperatures.