The New Jersey Turnpike Toll Ticket Home Page

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The toll ticket is a true piece of Americana celebrating countless hours of monotonous driving on what must be one of the most unnaturally straight superhighways of all. The turnpike passes through the industrial hub of New Jersey encompassing the towns of Carteret, Rahway, and Elizabeth. There are many oil refineries here, so if you smell sulphur, it is likely that no one in the car did it, okay? (Incidentally, while driving through Rahway one day, I saw a large orange sign saying "Fresh Oil" and I thought that was amusing.)

Construction of the turnpike began in the summer of 1950 and ended in January 1952 with the opening of the final link to the George Washington Bridge. An inauguration ceremony for the turnpike was held on November 30, 1951.

The total length of the turnpike is 142 miles, including extensions. The southern end is at the Delaware Memorial Bridge, while the nortern ends are at the Lincoln Tunnel and the George Washington Bridge (cutting Route 80 off). There is also an extension going through Jersey City to the Holland Tunnel. The turnpike has 13 rest stops.

The toll ticket itself is full of helpful hints. For instance, if it were not for the tip on the right of the ticket, I might have attempted to park a disabled vehicle on the left shoulder instead of the right shoulder. (Hehe)

Also, when George Carlin asks "What exit?", well, now you know.

Turnpike link(s)

• View a turnpike ticket from 1983, courtesy Rob Pluta.
• The NJ Turnpike Authority Home Page offers helpful travel information. This is the official site.
• Steve Anderson presents a page on the history of the turnpike, including vintage photos from the 1950s.

What about the Parkway?

No page like this would be complete without mentioning the Garden State Parkway, the highway that New Jerseyans really use. The Garden State Parkway goes from Cape May to Route 87/287 (New York State Thruway) in the state of New York. It intersects the turnpike near Woodbridge/Raritan. Here is a parkway token just for you:

These tokens cost $10 for a roll of 30, by the way.

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