Brother Blues - you probably know my advice already, but, here goes:
1. The New Jersey Turnpike is the Highway to (and through) Hell most times. I'd suggest a complete "skip" around it due to traffic and legal issues. From your neck of the woods I'd cut north on 77 to 81, and stay on 81 until you cut east on 80 for the GWB.
2. Gas isn't cheaper in NJ than surrounding areas since the passage of the gas tax. Prices are now comparable to "street" prices on LI. So, don't go to NJ.
3. I've been told by more than one NJSP official that, as far as they're concerned, my current, full time federal LEOs are NOT authorized to carry JHP when they're not "on duty," and should be carrying FMJ, if they're carrying at all (all the while implying that anyone who carries a weapon off duty is unhinged).
Just my thoughts as someone trapped up here... It's actually BETTER for me living in NY, from a firearms perspective, than for my guys who live/work in NJ - because NYS recognizes my agents as peace officers.