Toms River to Delaware is 102.3 miles and takes about 2h 17m via NJ 18, NJ 31, and Garden State Parkway, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Jersey, making it a convenient option if you're looking to travel between two points within the state. The route primarily utilizes major roadways, offering a straightforward drive. Given its relatively short duration and moderate fuel cost, this is a solid choice for a same-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.2 miles from Toms River, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NJ 18
22.2 mi
26m
NJ 31
16.8 mi
27m
Garden State Parkway
15 mi
17m
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
12 mi
13m
I 287
9.9 mi
11m
NJ 34
7 mi
9m
US 46
6.9 mi
10m
Easton Avenue
3.4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
NJ 18
— 22.2 mi, about 26m
Traffic on I-78
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,869 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~481 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Toms River, NJ and Delaware, 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
15 mi·17 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 98Toward NJ 138 East, I 195 West, NJ 34: Belmar, TrentonUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward GSP North, I 195 West
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 195 West: TrentonUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto NJ 138
0.2 mi·16 sec·NJ 138
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Exit 35BToward NJ 34 North: MatawanUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto NJ 34
3.4 mi·4 min·NJ 34
12
Enter roundabout onto NJ 33; NJ 34
451 ft·6 sec·NJ 33; NJ 34
13
Continue on NJ 33; NJ 34
1.0 mi·1 min·NJ 33; NJ 34
14
Take the exit onto NJ 34
3.6 mi·5 min·NJ 34
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick
16
Merge onto NJ 18
22 mi·26 min·NJ 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on NJ 18
1.9 mi·2 min·Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward Easton Avenue, So Bound BrookUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn straight onto (672)
0.2 mi·18 sec·George Street
20
Turn left onto CR 609
0.3 mi·27 sec·Landing Lane
21
Turn right onto CR 527
3.4 mi·5 min·Easton Avenue
Use the right lane.
22
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 287 North: Morristown, Mahwah
23
Merge onto I 287
7.2 mi·8 min·I 287
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 287
2.7 mi·3 min·I 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
1.4 mi·1 min
Exit 21BToward I 78 West: Easton, PennsylvaniaUse the slight left / straight lanes.
26
Merge onto I 78
12 mi·13 min·Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.4 mi·42 sec
Exit 17Toward NJ 31: Clinton, Flemington, WashingtonUse the slight right lane.
28
Merge onto NJ 31
17 mi·27 min·NJ 31
Use the straight lane.
29
At end of road, turn left onto US 46
6.9 mi·10 min·US 46
30
Turn right onto Clinton Street
488 ft·21 sec·Clinton Street
31
Arrive at destination
Clinton Street
Trip Plan
Consider starting your drive from Toms River in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic. Since this trip is under 2.5 hours and primarily highway, you won't need to plan for extensive stops. However, the Garden State Parkway offers numerous service areas if you need to stretch your legs or refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $18, and it's always wise to top off before embarking on a trip of this length. Flexibility is key here; you can easily complete this in a single day.
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 51.2 miles from Toms River, NJ, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 22.2 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 23 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.2 miles or 1h 5m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Delaware, 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.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Toms River, NJ
This is one driving day of about 102.3 miles and 2h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Toms River, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on NJ 18 for about 22.2 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 16.3 and 78.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
16.3 mi into trip|~20m 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
16.9 mi into trip|~21m 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
17.4 mi into trip|~22m 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
8
64.8 mi into trip|~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward I 78 West: Easton, Pennsylvania
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 21B
Toward I 78 West: Easton, Pennsylvania
8
78.1 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward NJ 31: Clinton, Flemington, Washington
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 17
Toward NJ 31: Clinton, Flemington, Washington
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.09 one way
$36.18 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$19.82
$39.63
premium
$5.24
$21.12
$42.24
diesel
$5.35
$21.55
$43.09
Estimated Tolls: $0.90
Garden State Parkway
(15 mi)$0.90
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
$18
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.7
0
$10.74
$4.91
Efficient EV
25.6
0
$8.95
$4.09
EV Truck/SUV
40.9
0
$14.32
$6.55
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Forecast as of Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Toms River, NJ
Evening
in Toms River on Wednesday
Local time
5:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Cloudy
W 0 to 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Delaware, NJ
Evening
in Delaware on Wednesday
Local time
5:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph2% chanceLive 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
7 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
2h 17m 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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 67
Park Closure: Partial Reopening: Cross Estate Gardens
Situated within the most densely populated region of the United States, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides a unique opportunity to experience tranquil landscapes, rich human history,...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
$10
near mile 102.3
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 49.4
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
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 35.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 91% of the 102.3 miles on major roads like NJ 18, NJ 31, and the Garden State Parkway. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch without exiting on NJ 18 for 22.2 miles. Expect a high volume of exits and merging traffic typical of a route with significant highway mileage, especially when you transition between these main arteries.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 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 NJ 31. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 102.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 16.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
465 ft12 ft
Total Climb
668 ft
Total Descent
397 ft
Highest Point
465 ft
~95 mi in
Elevation Range
454 ft
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 Delaware, NJ, road signs point toward Trenton, Gsp North, So Bound Brook, Mahwah, Pennsylvania and Flemington - among others.
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.
Top landmarks
•Ocean County Courthouse — county courthouse in Ocean County, New Jersey
•Stoutenburgh-Minturn House — historic house in Ocean County, New Jersey
•Captain Amos Birdsall House — historic house in Ocean County, New Jersey
Delaware has beautiful beaches and parks. The more popular beaches are in: Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Dewey Beach and Bethany Beach. Most parks in Delaware's very extensive and well maintained park system are free or low-cost. The First State National Historical Park a group of historical sites that cover the early colonial history of Delaware and the role Delaware played in the establishment of the United States, leading up to it being the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.
It is one of the smallest states in the United States. It has beautiful beaches, and activities vary from business-friendly Wilmington to the rural southern parts of the state.
Top landmarks
•Delaware Art Museum — art museum located on the Kentmere Parkway in Wilmington, Delaware, USA
•Chesapeake and Delaware Canal — canal in Delaware, United States of America
•Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library — museum in Wilmington, Delaware
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 17m. Total distance: 102.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). 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 $0.90 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.
Yes — we found about 3 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Delaware, NJ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. There are 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Morristown National Historical Park, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Thomas Edison 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 Delaware, NJ before heading back.
