Traveling from Clinton to Toms River covers 82.6 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 27 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trip, it works perfectly as a straightforward day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. You should budget approximately $14 for fuel to complete the journey. Since the entire route stays within New Jersey, you will remain in the Northeast region for the duration of the drive. The trip is best characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, so be prepared for a route that requires your full attention rather than a simple highway cruise.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.4 miles from Clinton, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
57 mi
1h 9m
Essex Freeway
9.4 mi
11m
Garden State Parkway Southbound
6.2 mi
8m
US 46
2.2 mi
2m
New Road
0.9 mi
1m
Freeway Drive East
0.8 mi
1m
North Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
Plymouth Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 57 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clinton, NJ and Toms River, NJ.
1
Start on CR 625
0.3 mi·42 sec·Hollywood Avenue
2
At end of road, turn left onto CR 626
347 ft·11 sec·Horseneck Road
3
Turn right onto CR 627
0.5 mi·1 min·Plymouth Street
4
Turn slight right onto US 46
2.2 mi·2 min·US 46
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the exit
280 ft·7 sec
6
Continue on this road
411 ft·11 sec·this road
7
Turn straight onto Old Bloomfield Avenue
107 ft·3 sec·Old Bloomfield Avenue
8
Turn right onto New Road
0.2 mi·24 sec·New Road
Use the right lane.
9
Continue on New Road
0.7 mi·1 min·New Road
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 280 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 280
9.4 mi·11 min·Essex Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 11AToward Harrison Street, Clinton Street, East OrangeUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn straight onto Freeway Drive East
0.8 mi·1 min·Freeway Drive East
14
Turn right onto South Oraton Parkway
0.4 mi·42 sec·South Oraton Parkway
15
Continue on Whittlesey Avenue
0.4 mi·38 sec·Whittlesey Avenue
16
Turn straight onto Maybaum Avenue
0.2 mi·27 sec·Maybaum Avenue
17
Continue on Oraton Parkway
0.1 mi·13 sec·Oraton Parkway
Use the straight lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto Oraton Parkway
0.3 mi·33 sec·Oraton Parkway
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward GSP Toll South
20
Merge onto GSP
13 mi·18 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on Garden State Parkway
6.2 mi·8 min·Garden State Parkway Southbound
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi·49 sec·Garden State Parkway
23
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
43 mi·50 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·48 sec
Exit 82Toward NJ 37 East: Seaside Heights, Island Beach State ParkUse the right lane.
25
Merge onto NJ 37
0.3 mi·33 sec·Route 37 West
26
Turn right onto NJ 166
0.7 mi·1 min·North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Turn left
78 ft·5 sec
28
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of this 1 hour and 27 minute trip, you should prioritize leaving during daylight hours to better navigate the local road network. Since there are no planned stops on this 82.6-mile route, make sure your vehicle is fueled up before you head out, keeping that $14 fuel cost in mind. The lack of highway stretches means your travel time can be sensitive to local traffic, so check your GPS for any unexpected delays on Horseneck Road or Old Bloomfield Avenue before you depart. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, as you can easily adjust your pace without the pressure of reaching a specific highway exit or rest area.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 40.4 miles from Clinton, NJ, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 18 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.4 miles or 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Toms River, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clinton, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Clinton, NJ
This is one driving day of about 80.9 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Clinton, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 57 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.2 and 79.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.2 mi into trip|~5m in|New Road
Turn right onto New Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
13.8 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward Harrison Street, Clinton Street, East Orange
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 11A
Toward Harrison Street, Clinton Street, East Or...
6
16 mi into trip|~23m in|Oraton Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto Oraton Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
36.7 mi into trip|~52m in|GSP / Garden State Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
79.6 mi into trip|~1h 42m in
Take the exit toward NJ 37 East: Seaside Heights, Island Beach State Park
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 82
Toward NJ 37 East: Seaside Heights, Island Beac...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.41 one way
$26.82 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$14.69
$29.38
premium
$4.93
$15.69
$31.38
diesel
$5.61
$17.86
$35.72
Estimated Tolls: $3.79
Garden State Parkway
(63.2 mi)$3.79
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.3
0
$8.49
$3.88
Efficient EV
20.2
0
$7.08
$3.24
EV Truck/SUV
32.4
0
$11.33
$5.18
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Clinton, NJ
Morning
in Clinton on Sunday
Local time
8:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Toms River, NJ
Morning
in Toms River on Sunday
Local time
8:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
25 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 44m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is a departure from the typical interstate experience, as it features zero percent highway travel. You will navigate via local roads, specifically Horseneck Road, Plymouth Street, and Old Bloomfield Avenue. Expect a turn-heavy journey that demands active steering and constant awareness of your surroundings. Because the route relies entirely on local streets, there are no long, monotonous stretches of highway to zone out on. Instead, you will find a technical, engaging drive that changes pace frequently as you transition between these specific local thoroughfares.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Essex Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.2 miles in near New Road.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.9 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.2 miles (New Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16 miles (Oraton Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clinton, NJ and Toms River, NJ, road signs point toward Orange and Gsp Toll South.
Toms River is the county seat of Ocean County, New Jersey. It is a few miles west of the beaches of the Jersey Shore Region, midway between New York and Philadelphia and a short distance from Atlantic City. Toms River is easy to get to by car as the Garden State Parkway bisects the town, and it is served by express bus service to and from New York City.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 44m. Total distance: 80.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.79 in tolls one way, starting with Garden State Parkway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Toms River, NJ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.2 miles (New Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16 miles (Oraton Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Toms River, NJ before heading back.
