Many moons ago I drove the length of New Jersey south to north. The only thing I remember is mountains of old tires, vast garbage dumps and an overlay feeling of “get me the F out of here!” In all fairness that was probably in the north.
There are just 2 roads traveling N to S and they are the Garden State Parkway which starts the Saddle River NJ area in the North, right at the NY State line and the NJ Turnpike which starts in Teaneck NJ about 15 miles north of Newark Airport.
I lived in NJ for 45 years and cannot imagine what road(s) you drove on and saw piles of tires.
Next time drive a along the coast!