NJ Turnpike rest stops are called service areas, and there are 12 of them along the New Jersey Turnpike, from Clara Barton near the Delaware Memorial Bridge to Vince Lombardi in Ridgefield. Each offers restrooms, fuel and food. Most serve only one direction of travel, and Vince Lombardi is the only one you can reach from both directions. The Garden State Parkway has its own service areas, many renamed in 2021 after New Jersey Hall of Fame inductees such as Jon Bon Jovi and Whitney Houston.
Key Takeaways
- 12 service areas line the New Jersey Turnpike, each named after a notable New Jerseyan or figure tied to the state.
- Most are one-direction only, so check which side of the highway you are on.
- Vince Lombardi in Ridgefield is the only Turnpike service area reachable from both directions.
- Parkway service areas were renamed in 2021 after New Jersey Hall of Fame inductees.
- Several stops were rebuilt in recent years with new food options and EV charging.
- Fuel is full-service, because New Jersey law does not allow self-service gas.
Locations and names were checked in September 2026. Restaurant tenants change often, so confirm current options on the New Jersey Turnpike Authority website before a long trip.
Complete List of NJ Turnpike Rest Stops
The table lists NJ Turnpike rest stops from south to north. Mileposts are approximate.
| Service area | Direction | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Clara Barton | Southbound | Near Interchange 1, Carneys Point area |
| John Fenwick | Northbound | Milepost 5.4, Oldmans Township |
| Walt Whitman | Southbound | South Jersey, near Cherry Hill |
| James Fenimore Cooper | Northbound | Milepost 39.4 |
| Richard Stockton | Southbound | Milepost 58.7, Hamilton area |
| Woodrow Wilson | Northbound | Milepost 58.7, Hamilton |
| Molly Pitcher | Southbound | Between Interchanges 8A and 8 |
| Joyce Kilmer | Northbound | Milepost 78.7 |
| Thomas Edison | Southbound | Central Jersey, near Edison and Woodbridge |
| Grover Cleveland | Northbound | Central Jersey, near Edison and Woodbridge |
| Alexander Hamilton | Southbound | North Jersey, in the Meadowlands area |
| Vince Lombardi | Both directions | Mileposts 115.5–116, Ridgefield |
Southbound NJ Turnpike rest stops
Heading south toward Delaware, you will pass Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Edison, Molly Pitcher, Richard Stockton, Walt Whitman and finally Clara Barton near the Delaware Memorial Bridge.
Northbound NJ Turnpike rest stops
Heading north toward New York, the order is John Fenwick, James Fenimore Cooper, Woodrow Wilson, Joyce Kilmer, Grover Cleveland and Vince Lombardi.
Who Are the Service Areas Named After?
The names are a quick history lesson. Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross and opened a free public school in Bordentown. Walt Whitman spent his final years in Camden. Thomas Edison ran his laboratories in Menlo Park and West Orange. Grover Cleveland, born in Caldwell, is the only president born in New Jersey, and Woodrow Wilson served as the state’s governor before becoming president. Molly Pitcher is the legendary heroine of the Battle of Monmouth, and Vince Lombardi coached at St. Cecilia High School in Englewood before his NFL fame.
Newest and Most Popular Stops
- Vince Lombardi (Ridgefield): Rebuilt and reopened in 2020, it is the last stop before New York City and the only one open to both directions. Food options have included Shake Shack and Popeyes.
- Woodrow Wilson (Hamilton): Remodeled with a modern food court in the early 2020s.
- John Fenwick (Oldmans Township): Rebuilt and reopened in 2024, making it a fresh first stop for northbound drivers coming from Delaware.
- Molly Pitcher: A busy southbound stop for drivers heading toward Philadelphia and South Jersey.
Garden State Parkway Service Areas
The Garden State Parkway also has service areas, and in 2021 several were renamed after New Jersey Hall of Fame inductees. Here are the main ones, listed from south to north.
| Service area | Approximate milepost | Named after |
|---|---|---|
| Bruce Willis | 18.3 | Actor raised in Penns Grove |
| Frank Sinatra | 41.4 | Singer born in Hoboken |
| Celia Cruz | 76 | Salsa legend who lived in Fort Lee |
| Judy Blume | 100 | Author raised in Elizabeth |
| Jon Bon Jovi | 124 | Rock star from Sayreville |
| Whitney Houston | 142.3 | Singer from Newark |
| Larry Doby and Connie Chung | 153 | Baseball pioneer raised in Paterson, and a broadcast journalist |
| James Gandolfini | 171 | Actor born in Westwood |
The Parkway also has smaller service plazas, such as the Colonia North and Colonia South stops in Woodbridge, which offer fuel and basic convenience items.
What You Will Find at NJ Turnpike Rest Stops
| Amenity | Availability |
|---|---|
| Restrooms | All service areas, open 24 hours |
| Fuel | All service areas, full-service only |
| Food | Fast food and coffee at all service areas; larger food courts at rebuilt locations |
| EV charging | Available at many service areas, with more being added |
| Convenience store | Most service areas |
| Travel information | Most service areas |
Why you cannot pump your own gas
New Jersey is the only state that bans self-service gas at all stations, so an attendant fills your tank at every rest stop. Pull up, tell the attendant how much you want and pay by card or cash.
EV Charging on the Turnpike and Parkway
The New Jersey Turnpike Authority has been adding and upgrading fast chargers at service areas, including moving toward universal connectors that work with more vehicles. If you drive an electric car, plan stops around the larger service areas and check a charging app for live availability before you leave.
Tips for Using NJ Turnpike Rest Stops
- Check direction first. Most stops only serve one side, so plan your break before you miss it.
- Avoid peak times. Summer Friday evenings and holiday weekends bring long lines at Molly Pitcher and Vince Lombardi.
- Know the gaps. Some stretches have long distances between service areas, so do not wait until the last minute.
- Use E-ZPass. It saves time at toll plazas and usually costs less than other payment methods.
- Keep snacks handy for Shore traffic, when a short trip can take much longer than planned.
NJ Turnpike vs. Garden State Parkway
| Feature | New Jersey Turnpike | Garden State Parkway |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Delaware Memorial Bridge area to the George Washington Bridge area | Cape May to the New York State line |
| Best for | Philadelphia, Delaware, Newark Airport and New York City | Jersey Shore towns and North Jersey suburbs |
| Trucks | Allowed | Restricted on the northern section |
| Rest stop names | Historic and notable New Jerseyans | New Jersey Hall of Fame inductees |
| Operator | New Jersey Turnpike Authority | New Jersey Turnpike Authority |
Sample Break Plans
Driving from North Jersey to Philadelphia on the Turnpike southbound, most drivers stop at Molly Pitcher or Richard Stockton, which fall near the middle of the trip. Heading north from Delaware toward New York, John Fenwick makes a good early break, while Joyce Kilmer or Vince Lombardi work well later in the drive. On the Parkway, Shore-bound drivers often stop at the Jon Bon Jovi or Celia Cruz service areas before the last stretch to the beach towns.
Whichever highway you choose, knowing where the NJ Turnpike rest stops and Parkway service areas fall makes long drives easier, especially with children, pets or an electric car that needs a charge.
Plan Your Next NJ Road Trip
Heading to the Shore? Our guide to things to do in Cape May NJ covers the end of the Parkway. To understand New Jersey’s gas rules, read why you can’t pump your own gas in NJ, and plan an autumn drive with our NJ fall foliage guide. For a trip by sea, see our guide to cruises from NJ. Find more in our Getting Around section or on the homepage.
Frequently Asked Questions About NJ Turnpike Rest Stops
How many rest stops are on the NJ Turnpike?
The New Jersey Turnpike has 12 service areas, from Clara Barton in the south to Vince Lombardi in Ridgefield.
Which NJ Turnpike rest stop serves both directions?
Vince Lombardi in Ridgefield is the only Turnpike service area reachable from both northbound and southbound lanes.
What is the first rest stop on the NJ Turnpike northbound?
John Fenwick, at about milepost 5.4 in Oldmans Township, is the first northbound service area. It was rebuilt and reopened in 2024.
Can you pump your own gas at NJ Turnpike rest stops?
No. New Jersey bans self-service gas, so attendants pump fuel at every service area.
Why were Garden State Parkway rest stops renamed?
In 2021, several Parkway service areas were renamed after New Jersey Hall of Fame inductees, such as Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston and Jon Bon Jovi.
Do NJ Turnpike rest stops have EV chargers?
Many service areas offer fast chargers, and the Turnpike Authority has been adding and upgrading them.
Which Parkway service area is named after Frank Sinatra?
The Frank Sinatra service area is at about milepost 41.4 on the Garden State Parkway.
Are NJ Turnpike rest stops open 24 hours?
Service areas offer restrooms and fuel around the clock, although some restaurants keep shorter hours.
Know Before You Go
NJ Turnpike rest stops are spread along the state’s busiest highway, with 12 service areas offering restrooms, full-service fuel and food. Most serve one direction only, so check your side before you need a break, and remember that Vince Lombardi is the only stop open to both directions. On the Parkway, the renamed service areas honor New Jersey icons from Frank Sinatra to Whitney Houston, adding a little state pride to every road trip.
