Important link in the Northeast megalopolis from
Boston to Richmond. Highly regarded as "one of the worst roads in
America," but it gets its bad rap only from the very northern section, whereas the section from Exit 12 and south is clean and less congested. Only freeway link from New York City to Baltimore, so many use the NJTP as a through route. This is why New Jersey has a bad image, since the
REAL New Jersey is away from the Turnpike in the form of beautiful beaches, historic towns, and vast farmland (despite being the most densely populated state in the Union). This highway is also called the "New Jersey Speedway" since
police will not stop you unless you're going above 80 MPH.
I once
took the New Jersey Turnpike to New York, but when I got there, I asked myself, "Why
waste my time in that
shithole?" and turned around to go to Philadelphia instead for a cheesesteak.