Origin
Ocean County, NJ
Late night in Ocean County on Sunday
Local time
4:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ocean County, NJ to Somerset, 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 19m
Distance
60.4 mi
97 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 14m
★
6 AM
1h 20m
8 AM
1h 32m
10 AM
1h 24m
12 PM
1h 23m
3 PM
1h 25m
5 PM
1h 32m
8 PM
1h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ocean County, NJ
정규송 Nui MALAMA
Somerset, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Ocean County to Somerset, New Jersey, covers 60.4 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 12 minutes. Because this is a relatively short distance, you can easily complete the entire trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Your route primarily utilizes the Garden State Parkway (GSP) North and I-195 West to navigate between the two points. Budgeting around $10 for fuel should be sufficient for this one-way transit. Since both locations are situated within the Northeast region, you will remain in a familiar environment throughout your journey. This trip is straightforward and serves as a practical connection between these two New Jersey communities.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NJ 18 | 22.2 mi | 26m |
| Garden State Parkway | 22.1 mi | 26m |
| NJ 34 | 7 mi | 9m |
| Memorial Parkway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Lacey Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| NJ 33 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Franklin Boulevard | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Belmar Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
NJ 18
— 22.2 mi, about 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ocean County, NJ and Somerset, NJ.
1
Start on CR 614
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Lacey Road
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
Toward GSP Toll North
3
Merge onto GSP
22 mi
·
26 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 98
Toward NJ 138 East, I 195 West, NJ 34: Belmar, Trenton
Use the slight right lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward GSP North, I 195 West
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward I 195 West: Trenton
Use the right lane.
7
Merge onto NJ 138
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
NJ 138
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 35B
Toward NJ 34 North: Matawan
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto NJ 34
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
NJ 34
10
Enter roundabout onto NJ 33; NJ 34
451 ft
·
6 sec
·
NJ 33; NJ 34
11
Continue on NJ 33; NJ 34
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
NJ 33; NJ 34
12
Take the exit onto NJ 34
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
NJ 34
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick
14
Merge onto NJ 18
22 mi
·
26 min
·
NJ 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on NJ 18
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward Easton Avenue, So Bound Brook
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn straight onto (672)
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
George Street
18
Turn left onto CR 609
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
Landing Lane
19
Continue on CR 617
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Franklin Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn right onto Belmar Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Belmar Street
21
At end of road, turn left onto Abbott Road
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
·
Abbott Road
22
Turn left onto West Point Avenue
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
West Point Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
West Point Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
30 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 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 30.2 miles from Ocean County, 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 175 decision points cluster between mile 24 and 57.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
24 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Take the exit toward NJ 138 East, I 195 West, NJ 34: Belmar, Trenton
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 98
Toward NJ 138 East, I 195 West, NJ 34: Belmar,...
6
24.4 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward GSP North, I 195 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward GSP North, I 195 West
8
24.7 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 195 West: Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 195 West: Trenton
8
25.2 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Take the exit toward NJ 34 North: Matawan
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 35B
Toward NJ 34 North: Matawan
7
57.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m in
Take the exit toward Easton Avenue, So Bound Brook
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Easton Avenue, So Bound Brook
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.01 one way
$20.03 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $10.97 | $21.93 |
| premium | $4.93 | $11.71 | $23.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.34 | $26.67 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.33
Garden State Parkway
(22.1 mi)
$1.33
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Tolls
$1
Total
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.1 | 0 | $6.34 | $2.90 |
| Efficient EV | 15.1 | 0 | $5.28 | $2.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.2 | 0 | $8.46 | $3.87 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (67% 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
Somerset, NJ
Late night in Somerset on Sunday
Local time
4:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Sunny
SW 5 to 15 mph
10% chance
Live forecast
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
10 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 19m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you navigate your way toward Somerset. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route requires more focus due to the frequent transitions between major thoroughfares and local roads. You will spend your time moving across a mix of infrastructure, including the GSP Toll North, rather than relying on a single long-distance highway stretch. Because the highway share is 0%, you should anticipate a drive that demands consistent attention rather than one where you can simply set cruise control and relax. The personality of this road is defined by its constant shifts in direction, making it feel more like a practical regional transit than a leisurely highway cruise.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 22.2 mi on NJ 18.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NJ 18 and Garden State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 24 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 60.4 miles you will encounter 17 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 24 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
148 ft
32 ft
Total Climb
321 ft
Total Descent
291 ft
Highest Point
148 ft
~38.8 mi in
Elevation Range
116 ft
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 Ocean County, NJ and Somerset, NJ, road signs point toward Trenton and Gsp North.
Trenton
24 mi in
|
~29m
Gsp North
24.4 mi in
|
~30m
About the Cities
Starting in Ocean County, NJ
Full guide →Ocean County is on the Jersey Shore. It is the southernmost county in the New York City metropolitan area. The county is also home to many tourist attractions such as the beachfront communities of Seaside Heights, Long Beach Island, and Point Pleasant Beach, and Six Flags Great Adventure, an amusement park in Jackson Township that is the home to the world's tallest and second-fastest roller coaster. Ocean County is a gateway to New Jersey's Pine Barrens, one of the largest protected land areas on the East Coast.
Arriving in Somerset, NJ
Full guide →Somerset is a town in Somerset County, New Jersey.
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 19m. Total distance: 60.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 22.2 miles on NJ 18. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.33 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 Somerset, 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 24 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Morristown National Historical Park, Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Somerset, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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