If you are planning to travel from Toms River to Clinton, expect a journey covering 80.3 miles that typically takes about 1 hour and 44 minutes. This drive is best suited as a straightforward day trip, as the duration is manageable for a single outing without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $13 for fuel to complete the trip. Because you are traveling entirely within the Northeast region, the transition between these two New Jersey towns feels like a localized shift rather than a major cross-country trek. Relying on North Main Street, Route 37 West, and US 9, this route offers a practical connection between the coast and the inland areas of the state. It is a functional choice for those who prefer to keep their travel time under two hours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.2 miles from Toms River, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
63.5 mi
1h 19m
Essex Freeway
10.4 mi
12m
US 46
2 mi
2m
North Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
New Road
0.6 mi
1m
Plymouth Street
0.6 mi
1m
Hollywood Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Route 37 West
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 63.5 mi, about 1h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Toms River, NJ and Clinton, NJ.
1
Start on this road
78 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto NJ 166
0.7 mi·1 min·North Main Street
3
Turn left onto NJ 37
0.1 mi·21 sec·Route 37 West
4
Take the exit
0.5 mi·47 sec
Toward US 9 Toll North, GSP Toll North: Lakewood, New York, Woodbridge
5
Merge onto GSP; US 9
21 mi·24 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·31 sec
7
Continue on GSP
42 mi·54 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 145Toward I 280, CR 508: Newark, The OrangesUse the slight right lane.
9
Continue on this road
160 ft·3 sec·this road
Toward I 280, CR 508: Newark, The Oranges
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 280 West, I 280 East: Orange, West Orange, Newark, HarrisonUse the slight left lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 280 West: The OrangesUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward I 280 West: The OrangesUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 280
10 mi·12 min·Essex Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 1Toward Edwards Road, New RoadUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
366 ft·9 sec
Toward New RoadUse the straight / left / right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto New Road
0.5 mi·1 min·New Road
17
Continue on New Road
0.1 mi·15 sec·New Road
18
Turn right onto US 46
2.0 mi·2 min·US 46
Use the right lane.
19
Take the exit
323 ft·11 sec
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto NJ 159
0.1 mi·17 sec·Oak Road
21
Continue on CR 627
0.6 mi·1 min·Plymouth Street
22
At end of road, turn left onto CR 626
347 ft·10 sec·Horseneck Road
23
Turn right onto CR 625
0.3 mi·39 sec·Hollywood Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
CR 625
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. While the 1 hour and 44 minute drive is simple enough to tackle in one go, keep in mind that the lack of highway miles means your actual travel time could fluctuate based on local traffic density. You won't need to worry about planning formal stops or long rest breaks, allowing you to head straight to your destination. For the smoothest experience, check local traffic reports for North Main Street and US 9 before you pull out of your driveway to avoid any unexpected congestion. Prioritizing a departure during off-peak hours will help ensure you maintain that estimated 1 hour and 44 minute duration without unnecessary delays.
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 40.2 miles from Toms River, NJ, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.5 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 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.2 miles or 50m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clinton, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Toms River, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Toms River, NJ
This is one driving day of about 80.3 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Toms River, 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 63.5 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 65.3 and 76.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
65.3 mi into trip|~1h 22m in
Take the exit toward I 280, CR 508: Newark, The Oranges
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 145
Toward I 280, CR 508: Newark, The Oranges
9
65.5 mi into trip|~1h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 280 West, I 280 East: Orange, West Orange, Newark, Harrison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 280 West, I 280 East: Orange, West Ora...
8
65.7 mi into trip|~1h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 280 West: The Oranges
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 280 West: The Oranges
8
65.9 mi into trip|~1h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 280 West: The Oranges
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 280 West: The Oranges
9
76.4 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward Edwards Road, New Road
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 1
Toward Edwards Road, New Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.31 one way
$26.63 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$14.58
$29.16
premium
$4.93
$15.57
$31.15
diesel
$5.61
$17.73
$35.46
Estimated Tolls: $3.81
Garden State Parkway
(63.5 mi)$3.81
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: 28.1 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
24.1
0
$8.43
$3.85
Efficient EV
20.1
0
$7.03
$3.21
EV Truck/SUV
32.1
0
$11.24
$5.14
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 15, 2026
Origin
Toms River, NJ
Late night
in Toms River on Sunday
Local time
12:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clinton, NJ
Late night
in Clinton on Sunday
Local time
12:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°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 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 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Silk cloth and steam locomotives; textiles and continuous paper rolls; firearms and aircraft engines. What do these things have in common? All were manufactured in the same place - Paterson, NJ. In 17...
7 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 80.3
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 74.8
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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 33.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will navigate local roads rather than high-speed lanes. The path winds through the interior landscape, requiring you to remain alert for frequent turns as you transition between North Main Street, Route 37 West, and US 9. Because there are no long, uninterrupted highway stretches, the drive maintains a steady, active pace throughout the entire 80.3-mile distance. You will find that the road surface and traffic flow change frequently, providing a driving experience that feels more grounded and technical than a standard freeway cruise.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.5 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 65.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.3 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 65.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.7 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.
Between Toms River, NJ and Clinton, NJ, road signs point toward Cr 508: Newark, The Oranges, Orange, Newark and Harrison.
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: 80.3 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 63.5 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.81 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 Clinton, 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 65.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Morristown National Historical Park (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 Clinton, NJ before heading back.
