New Jersey's Most Beautiful Road ❤️ Exit Zero to New York | The Garden State Parkway Explained

Origins of the Parkway can be traced back to 1946 and ’47 when construction began on the road designed to connect the bustling metropolis of North Jersey with the much more relaxing lifestyle along the Jersey Shore down to Cape May. Originally named the Route 4 Parkway or Route 444 because it was designed to bypass State Route 4, which ran up and down the shore, the first 11 miles of the Parkway, between mile markers 129 and 140, opened in 1950. From then on, the highway continued to grow and is arguably responsible for much of the development that we see today that's up and down the coastline of New Jersey. Today we will discuss The Garden State Parkway. I’m your host Ryan Socash, and you’re watching “it’s history.”

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Sponsor - MagellanTV
Scriptwriter - Brandon Evans,
Editor - Nina Wade, (Post Edit by Piotr Kubiak)
Host - Ryan Socash

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Some images may be used for illustrative purposes only - always reflecting the accurate time frame and content. Events of factual error / mispronounced word/spelling mistakes - retractions will be published in this section.

[fordguy]

I'm Jersey born and raised for 65 years and counting....got my license in 1974 and have been up and down the parkway more times than I can count. I remember going "down the shore" as a teenager, sitting in traffic jams for hours on Sunday nights. Lots of memories. 😀 Still enjoy trips down to AC and Cape May.

[matthewwurtzel]

The Garden State Parkway (or as we say in NJ, the Parkway) is a truly unique highway -- at least here on the East Coast. There is nothing else like it based on my travels from Maine to Florida. Sure, NY and even Connecticut have parkways but they are tiny in comparison and tend to have crazy curves that maybe fun in a performance luxury car but are harrowing in a family SUV -- especially this time of year when the leaves make the road slick. When the traffic is light on the Garden State Parkway, which is rare, it is a joy to drive.

[brownhornet]

I love traversing “The Parkway” nice gradual curves, scenic, and spacious. Granted when traffic isn’t heavy.

[Likeomgitznich]

It’s also interesting that the GSP was the first highway in the nation to have exit numbers correspond to there mile marker

[AmberCzesnolowicz]

As someone who grew up in NJ, I like to think that the Garden State Parkway helps us maintain the "Garden" part of the state's nickname. For most of the GSP, it's a quite scenic, apart from traffic 😅. I will say, the closer you get to NYC, you can't really hide NJ's industrial scene.

Also ask anyone from NJ "what exit?" Since the parkway spans the length of the state, it's very common for folks in NJ to say where they live or describe places based off of the exit # on the parkway.

[javianjohnson]

Nice to see my state get some shine! Wildwood, Seaside Heights, Point Pleasant beaches are all great stops in the summer months, and during the fall you can see the beautiful tree colors going down the Parkway. 🔥

[codyw]

As someone who works on the pkway and tnpk. Doing towing and recovery. These are the two most frustrating highways to be on and most deadly. People don’t pay attention and don’t care for other drivers. Or the crews that have nothing more then a painted line to protect them. To anyone reading this who travels the pkway or tnpk regularly. Please pay attention. And give us a little room to work. If you can’t move over gently slow down when passing us. We’d all like to be able to go home to our families. Thank you.

[meowymeowerton]

I’m total Jersey and it’s funny to hear you mispronounce towns, but great video!!! Learned more about the parkway than I have living here for 45 years. Keep it up!!

[thomasratigan]

As a NJ resident the speed limit is 85, and you'll still get your doors blown off.

[tdsollog]

I’ve lived in NJ all my life. Got my license in the late 80s. The GSP has changed a lot! Toll prices have jumped significantly too.

[sasz]

There used to be 3 traffic lights on the Parkway in Cape May County, at exits 6, 9 and 10. It was this way until at least 2013. My understanding is those were to be removed - but I haven't driven that far south on the Parkway since then.

[craigjensen]

I live at Exit 37, spent many years here. My uncle lived just the other side of the fence from Exit 123, I used to sit out back and watch the cars going up that loop when we would visit. One time I saw a tanker truck try to take it too fast and tip over. GSP doesn't start getting good until about Exit 130 though, I think 130-160 is the best part.

[rodneygolden]

Let's not, and be SURE not to forget the stupendous COUNT BASIE also known as "the kid from Red Bank" since the late 1920s. His music 🎵 would be the perfect highway thematic backdrop. His close collaboration with fellow Jerseyite Frank Sinatra especially capitalizes (if not italicizes😎) an emphasis on this. Always love driving in New Jersey.

[MillerMeteor]

Interesting history. I've been up and down much of the Parkway many times. I think the furthest north I've ever been on it is the 440 exit, just north of the Driscoll Bridge (Raritan River Bridge). It was nice when they removed the three traffic lights in Cape may County. That wasn't very long ago.

[samanthab]

Moved to Matawan Exit 117 in 1963. At the time they had no exit toll. Raritan you paid both ways 25 cents. Moved to Holmdel Exit 114 in 1970 & they did have a ten cent exit toll. But it wasn’t manned & the kids that lived near it used to put a paper plate in the basket. The other thing was if you got off at the Arts Center exit you could come in the back way to town. Right next to the old police station & town hall.

[rbsprods]

Memories! Many fond memories! Take me back to NJ..

[michaelwebster]

Growing up and still living in Ocean County, the GSP is a must for almost every drive. The worst parts the tolls but the locals know how to avoid them 😊 Taking my drives from college home taking the ACE to GSP or the back roads through the Pine Barrens till I hit New Gretna. Or all my Atlantic City trips. I love the GSP….. and I’m only 25 lol

[lawrencehobson]

Exit 145 born and raised..Newark/ The Oranges

[johnnyz]

Not only is the Garden State Parkway known as the heart of New Jersey, it is commonly referred to as New Jersey’s yardstick, utilizing the exit numbers as locations along the route. I myself grew up at Exit 155 (before there ever was a 155A and a 155B). And lastly, you didn’t mention the NJ Garden State Parkway’s slogan. “You keep it clean, and we’ll keep it green”. In the old years, they even used to paint the stones green on the side of the road.

[dZaq]

All the comments that praise the GSP are from the shore. After you head north, past where the Parkway meets Turnpike, it's just another congested highway artery towards NYC, except worse because of the tiny lanes and tight curves.

Edit: The Turnpike is "the heart of NJ". This is where the North, Central, and South Jersey division comes from.