Origin
Livingston, NJ
Morning in Livingston on Sunday
Local time
10:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Livingston, NJ to Toms River, NJ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 35m
Distance
73.7 mi
119 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 28m
★
6 AM
1h 36m
8 AM
1h 50m
10 AM
1h 41m
12 PM
1h 39m
3 PM
1h 41m
5 PM
1h 49m
8 PM
1h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Livingston, NJ
David Kanigan
Toms River, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 73.7-mile drive from Livingston to Toms River, New Jersey, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking about 1 hour and 35 minutes. The route is heavily focused on highway travel, with 95% of the journey on major roads like the Garden State Parkway. You can expect a fuel cost of around $12 for this journey. Given its highway-centric nature and relatively short duration, it's a practical option for a quick trip within the Northeast region, requiring no overnight stays. The drive offers a consistent pace, allowing you to reach your destination efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.8 miles from Livingston, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 57 mi | 1h 9m |
| Garden State Parkway Southbound | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| Essex Freeway | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| East Mount Pleasant Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Freeway Drive East | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| North Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Shrewsbury Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Oraton Parkway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 57 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Livingston, NJ and Toms River, NJ.
1
Start on NJ 10
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Mount Pleasant Avenue
2
Turn left onto CR 635
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Shrewsbury Drive
3
Continue on CR 634
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Laurel Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 280 East: Newark
5
Merge onto I 280
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Essex Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 11A
Toward Harrison Street, Clinton Street, East Orange
Use the slight right lane.
7
Turn straight onto Freeway Drive East
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Freeway Drive East
8
Turn right onto South Oraton Parkway
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
South Oraton Parkway
9
Continue on Whittlesey Avenue
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Whittlesey Avenue
10
Turn straight onto Maybaum Avenue
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Maybaum Avenue
11
Continue on Oraton Parkway
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Oraton Parkway
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto Oraton Parkway
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Oraton Parkway
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward GSP Toll South
14
Merge onto GSP
13 mi
·
18 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on Garden State Parkway
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Garden State Parkway Southbound
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
Garden State Parkway
17
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
43 mi
·
50 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 82
Toward NJ 37 East: Seaside Heights, Island Beach State Park
Use the right lane.
19
Merge onto NJ 37
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Route 37 West
20
Turn right onto NJ 166
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn left
78 ft
·
5 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just 1 hour and 35 minutes, this drive offers significant flexibility. You can easily depart at any time without needing to worry about breaking up the journey. The estimated fuel cost is approximately $12, so ensure your tank is sufficiently full before departing Livingston. Since the route is largely on the Garden State Parkway, be mindful of potential traffic, especially during peak commuting hours or weekends. A good tip is to check real-time traffic conditions before you leave to anticipate any delays on the Parkway.
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 36.8 miles from Livingston, NJ, or about 51m 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 16 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.8 miles or 51m 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 21m
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 Livingston, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Livingston, NJ
This is one driving day of about 73.7 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Livingston, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.8 miles from Livingston, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 72.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 280 / Essex Freeway
Merge onto I 280 / Essex Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
6.6 mi into trip
|
~10m 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
8.8 mi into trip
|
~14m 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
29.5 mi into trip
|
~43m 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
72.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m 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
$12.22 one way
$24.44 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $13.38 | $26.76 |
| premium | $4.93 | $14.29 | $28.59 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.27 | $32.54 |
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
$12
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.1 | 0 | $7.74 | $3.54 |
| Efficient EV | 18.4 | 0 | $6.45 | $2.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.5 | 0 | $10.32 | $4.72 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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.
Destination
Toms River, NJ
Morning in Toms River on Sunday
Local time
10:52 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
2 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 35m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for the vast majority of this 73.7-mile trip, with 95% of the drive utilizing major roadways. Your longest uninterrupted stretch will be approximately 57 miles along the Garden State Parkway, offering a consistent, high-speed journey. The primary roads guiding you south are the Essex Freeway and the Garden State Parkway Southbound. This route is designed for efficient travel, minimizing local road navigation and keeping you on well-maintained parkways for most of the way.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 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?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Garden State Parkway Southbound. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in near I 280 / Essex Freeway.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.7 miles you will encounter 14 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 2 miles (I 280 / Essex Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.8 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Livingston, NJ and Toms River, NJ, road signs point toward Orange and Gsp Toll South.
Orange
6.6 mi in
|
~10m
Gsp Toll South
9.1 mi in
|
~15m
About the Cities
Arriving in Toms River, NJ
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 35m. Total distance: 73.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 35m 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 2 miles (I 280 / Essex Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.8 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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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