Origin
South Plainfield, NJ
Afternoon in South Plainfield on Sunday
Local time
12:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from South Plainfield, 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 9m
Distance
55.6 mi
90 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 4m
★
6 AM
1h 10m
8 AM
1h 21m
10 AM
1h 14m
12 PM
1h 13m
3 PM
1h 14m
5 PM
1h 20m
8 PM
1h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Plainfield, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Toms River, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from South Plainfield to Toms River, expect a straightforward 55.6-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 9 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, allowing for plenty of flexibility in your schedule. You can anticipate a fuel cost of approximately $9, making this an economical trip within the Northeast. By utilizing a combination of I-287, NJ-440, and the Garden State Parkway, you will experience a direct connection between these two New Jersey locations. Since the entire drive stays within the state, you won't face any complex regional transitions, ensuring a simple and efficient transit.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 45.4 mi | 53m |
| I 287 | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| NJ 440 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Hamilton Boulevard | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| North Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Durham Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Route 37 West | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Lakeview Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 45.4 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Plainfield, NJ and Toms River, NJ.
1
Start on South Plainfield Avenue
193 ft
·
10 sec
·
South Plainfield Avenue
2
Turn right onto Hamilton Boulevard
399 ft
·
22 sec
·
Hamilton Boulevard
3
Turn left onto Church Street
334 ft
·
20 sec
·
Church Street
4
Turn left onto CR 603
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Lakeview Avenue
5
Continue on CR 603
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Hamilton Boulevard
6
Continue on Durham Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Durham Avenue
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 287 South, NJTP
Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 287
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
I 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on NJ 440
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
NJ 440
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward GSP South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto GSP
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
Garden State Parkway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
43 mi
·
50 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 82
Toward NJ 37 East: Seaside Heights, Island Beach State Park
Use the right lane.
15
Merge onto NJ 37
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Route 37 West
16
Turn right onto NJ 166
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left
78 ft
·
5 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27.8 miles from South Plainfield, 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 135 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 54.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Hamilton Boulevard
Turn right onto Hamilton Boulevard
Navigation decision point
8
2.3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 287 South, NJTP
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 287 South, NJTP
6
8.6 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward GSP South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward GSP South
6
11.5 mi into trip
|
~17m 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
54.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m 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
$9.22 one way
$18.44 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $10.10 | $20.19 |
| premium | $4.93 | $10.78 | $21.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.28 | $24.55 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.72
Garden State Parkway
(45.4 mi)
$2.72
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Tolls
$3
Total
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.7 | 0 | $5.84 | $2.67 |
| Efficient EV | 13.9 | 0 | $4.87 | $2.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.2 | 0 | $7.78 | $3.56 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (63% 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
Afternoon in Toms River on Sunday
Local time
12:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 9m 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?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 93% of the trip spent on major thoroughfares. You will quickly settle into a fast-paced rhythm, particularly during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 45.4 miles on the Garden State Parkway. Because the route relies heavily on high-speed infrastructure, it functions primarily as a functional commute rather than a leisurely scenic tour. Expect a consistent experience behind the wheel as you transition between these key arterial roads. The character of the drive remains steady and predictable, moving you efficiently from your starting point to your destination without the need for technical maneuvering.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 45.4 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 I 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Hamilton Boulevard.
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 55.6 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (Hamilton Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from South Plainfield, NJ to Toms River, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Gsp South along the way.
Gsp South
8.6 mi in
|
~13m
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 9m. Total distance: 55.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 45.4 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.72 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: near the start (Hamilton Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Morristown National Historical Park, Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area (4 total within detour distance). 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 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Toms River, NJ
More from South Plainfield, NJ
More trips to Toms River, NJ
Explore more options from South Plainfield, NJ or browse trips ending in Toms River, NJ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NJ road trips.