Origin
Surf City, NJ
Morning in Surf City on Sunday
Local time
10:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Surf City, 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 43m
Distance
77.9 mi
125 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 35m
★
6 AM
1h 43m
8 AM
1h 58m
10 AM
1h 48m
12 PM
1h 47m
3 PM
1h 49m
5 PM
1h 58m
8 PM
1h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Surf City, NJ
Jimmy Boos
Somerset, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 77.9-mile drive from Surf City, NJ, to Somerset, NJ, is easily managed in about 1 hour and 43 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day trip, with a projected fuel cost of around $13. You'll primarily be on the Garden State Parkway, NJ 18, and NJ 34, making it a highly highway-focused journey. The entire route stays within New Jersey, so you're not crossing regional lines, but you'll experience a shift from coastal proximity to a more central New Jersey landscape. This drive offers a practical and efficient way to travel between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39 miles from Surf City, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 33.2 mi | 39m |
| NJ 18 | 22.2 mi | 26m |
| NJ 34 | 7 mi | 9m |
| Manahawkin Bay Bridge | 6.4 mi | 9m |
| Memorial Parkway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| NJ 33 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| North Central Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| Franklin Boulevard | 0.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 33.2 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Surf City, NJ and Somerset, NJ.
1
Start on North 12th Street
498 ft
·
26 sec
·
North 12th Street
2
Turn left onto CR 89
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Central Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
3
Turn right onto NJ 72
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
West 8th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on NJ 72
154 ft
·
3 sec
·
West 8th Street
Toward Manahawkin
5
Continue on NJ 72
6.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Manahawkin Bay Bridge
Toward Manahawkin
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Toward GSP Toll North
Use the right lane.
7
Continue on GSP Northbound entrance ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
GSP Northbound entrance ramp
Toward GSP North
8
Merge onto GSP
33 mi
·
39 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
9
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.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward GSP North, I 195 West
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward I 195 West: Trenton
Use the right lane.
12
Merge onto NJ 138
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
NJ 138
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 35B
Toward NJ 34 North: Matawan
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto NJ 34
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
NJ 34
15
Enter roundabout onto NJ 33; NJ 34
451 ft
·
6 sec
·
NJ 33; NJ 34
16
Continue on NJ 33; NJ 34
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
NJ 33; NJ 34
17
Take the exit onto NJ 34
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
NJ 34
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick
19
Merge onto NJ 18
22 mi
·
26 min
·
NJ 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on NJ 18
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward Easton Avenue, So Bound Brook
Use the slight right lane.
22
Turn straight onto (672)
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
George Street
23
Turn left onto CR 609
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
Landing Lane
24
Continue on CR 617
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Franklin Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn right onto Belmar Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Belmar Street
26
At end of road, turn left onto Abbott Road
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
·
Abbott Road
27
Turn left onto West Point Avenue
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
West Point Avenue
28
Arrive at destination
West Point Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 1 hour and 43-minute duration, this trip is best tackled in one go. Leaving in the morning, before heavier traffic builds up, is a good strategy. With no specific stops recommended, you can be flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 33.2-mile stretch on the Garden State Parkway, and plan your refueling accordingly. The $13 fuel cost estimate is a helpful budget point, but always factor in potential price fluctuations. This is a drive where you can easily adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule.
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 39 miles from Surf City, NJ, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.2 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 17 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39 miles or 49m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Somerset, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Surf City, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Surf City, NJ
This is one driving day of about 77.9 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Surf City, 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 33.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39 miles from Surf City, 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 195 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 75.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CR 89 / North Central Avenue
Turn left onto CR 89 / North Central Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
8
41.5 mi into trip
|
~52m 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,...
8
42.2 mi into trip
|
~54m 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
42.7 mi into trip
|
~55m 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
75.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m 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
$12.91 one way
$25.83 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $14.14 | $28.29 |
| premium | $4.93 | $15.11 | $30.22 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.20 | $34.40 |
Estimated Tolls: $8.99
Bay Bridge
$7.00
Garden State Parkway
(33.2 mi)
$1.99
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
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.4 | 0 | $8.18 | $3.74 |
| Efficient EV | 19.5 | 0 | $6.82 | $3.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.2 | 0 | $10.91 | $4.99 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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
Morning in Somerset on Sunday
Local time
10:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph
0% chance
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
8 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 43m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Morristown National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Morristown National Historical Park commemorates the sites of General Washington and the Continental Army’s winter encampment from December 1779 to June 1780, where soldiers survived the coldest winte...
19 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 75.2
Park Closure: Partial Reopening: Cross Estate Gardens
Caution: Passaic River Trail Bridge washed out
Thomas Edison National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Today, the brick buildings on Main Street in West Orange, NJ seem quiet, betraying little evidence of the research, development, and innovation of their heyday. Visitors can step back in time to Thoma...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
$10
near mile 75.2
View on nps.gov
Gateway National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 51
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-centric experience on this route, with 84% of the drive taking place on faster roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 33.2 miles along the Garden State Parkway. While primarily a highway drive, you'll transition onto NJ 18 and NJ 34 as you move inland. This means you'll have periods of higher speed driving interspersed with more typical highway travel as you make your way towards Somerset. It's designed for efficient travel rather than leisurely sightseeing.
84% 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: 33.2 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 NJ 18. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near CR 89 / North Central Avenue.
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 77.9 miles you will encounter 19 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 0.1 miles (CR 89 / North Central Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 41.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.2 miles: 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 Surf City, NJ and Somerset, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp Toll North, Gsp North and Trenton.
Gsp Toll North
7.9 mi in
|
~12m
Gsp North
8.1 mi in
|
~13m
|
via GSP Northbound entrance ramp
Trenton
41.5 mi in
|
~52m
About the Cities
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 43m. Total distance: 77.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 33.2 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $8.99 in tolls one way, starting with Bay Bridge. 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 0.1 miles (CR 89 / North Central Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 41.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.2 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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