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Trip from Toms River, NJ to Garfield, NJ

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 12, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 40m

Distance

76.7 mi

123 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
1h 33m ★
6 AM
1h 40m
8 AM
1h 55m
10 AM
1h 45m
12 PM
1h 44m
3 PM
1h 46m
5 PM
1h 54m
8 PM
1h 36m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time
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township in Ocean County, New Jersey

Toms River, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Garfield, NJ, NJ

Garfield, NJ

C. M.

Trip Overview

The drive from Toms River, NJ to Garfield, NJ covers 76.7 miles and takes about 1h 40m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Garden State Parkway, NJ 21, New Jersey Turnpike for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 46.1 miles on Garden State Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.18 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

38.4 miles from Toms River, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Garden State Parkway 46.1 mi 55m
NJ 21 13.5 mi 18m
New Jersey Turnpike 9.5 mi 11m
US 1 1.7 mi 2m
NJ 81 0.7 mi 1m
North Main Street 0.7 mi 1m
Outwater Lane 0.4 mi 1m
Route 37 West 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Garden State Parkway — 46.1 mi, about 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Toms River, NJ and Garfield, 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

25 mi · 30 min · Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Exit 129 Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Trenton Use the slight right lane.
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 16 sec
10

Continue on this road

0.5 mi · 1 min · this road
11

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 16 sec · this road
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
12

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
13

Merge onto I 95; NJTP

9.5 mi · 11 min · New Jersey Turnpike
14

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 13A Toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport Use the slight right lane.
15

Merge onto NJ 81

0.7 mi · 1 min · NJ 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 44 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Continue on US 1; US 9

1.7 mi · 2 min · US 1; US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21

13 mi · 18 min · NJ 21
Toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Exit 13 Toward Ackerman Avenue, Botany Village, Garfield Use the slight right lane.
20

Turn right onto Ackerman Avenue

421 ft · 11 sec · Ackerman Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
21

Continue on Outwater Lane

0.4 mi · 1 min · Outwater Lane
Use the straight / right lanes.
22

Turn left

25 ft · 1 sec
23

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 38.4 miles from Toms River, NJ, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.1 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 20m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 38.4 miles or 46m 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 22m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Garfield, 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 76.7 miles and 1h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 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 46.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

most populous city in the United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

New York City, NY

38 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

Hamilton, NJ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

New York City, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 38.4 miles from Toms River, 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · final third

Valenca Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Elizabeth, New Jersey

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third · 21min to go 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: 10:30 am–12 pm

+19083544024

Visit website

Fiorentini Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Rutherford, New Jersey

1.8 mi

Amsterdam Alley Bar & Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Linden, New Jersey

2.1 mi

Best coffee break · early in the drive

Filoncino Bakery Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Red Bank, New Jersey

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch · 36min in 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+17323770404

Visit website

C Squared Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey

2.3 mi

Bite Food & Coffee Co

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Hackensack, New Jersey

2.9 mi

Valenca Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Elizabeth, New Jersey

Hours: 10:30 am–12 pm

+19083544024

Visit website

Fiorentini Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Rutherford, New Jersey

Hours: 5–9:30 pm

+19737213404

Visit website

Amsterdam Alley Bar & Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30

Linden, New Jersey

Hours: 12 pm–12 am

+19089254166

Visit website

Princess Maria's 2 Pizza & Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Brick Township, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+17327146471

Visit website

Fiore Rosso Restaurant & Catering

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $30 to $50

Toms River, New Jersey

Hours: 5–9 pm

+17322553323

Visit website

Sage Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately

Fair Lawn, New Jersey

Hours: 4–9 pm

+12017970500

Visit website

Deluca's Italian Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately

Staten Island, New York

Hours: 12–9 pm

+17182277200

Visit website

Giorgio's Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour Moderately

South Orange Village, New Jersey

Hours: 12–3 pm

+19737624440

Visit website

Filoncino Bakery Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Red Bank, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+17323770404

Visit website

C Squared Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12014259120

Bite Food & Coffee Co

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12015602269

Visit website

Juany's Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Fair Lawn, New Jersey

Hours: 9 am–3 pm

+15512248030

Visit website

Marimba Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12012563010

Visit website

Eagle Rock Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Montclair, New Jersey

Hours: 7:30 am–5:30 pm

+19733586543

Visit website

Cafe Tropical Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+12018800669

Bite Food & Coffee Co

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour Moderately

Fair Lawn, New Jersey

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+15512248072

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Kearny, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Tinton Falls, NJ

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Tinton Falls, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18665761495

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Newark, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Lakewood, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Tinton Falls, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.2 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Newark, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Kearny, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Military Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Newark, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19739005800

Visit website

West Hudson Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Harrison, NJ

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12012175482

Visit website

Fords Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Woodbridge, New Jersey

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+17327453900

Visit website

Posh Princess Palace

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Lodi, New Jersey

Hours: 1–7 pm

+18628997674

Visit website

Independence Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Newark, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19732683500

Visit website

Cornucopia Cruise Lines

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Perth Amboy, New Jersey

+17326979500

Visit website

Wild Child Play Space

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Staten Island, New York

Hours: Closed

+19296146088

Visit website

Island Entertainment

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

Staten Island, New York

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+13472367136

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 47.8 and 75.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
47.8 mi into trip | ~58m in

Take the exit toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, 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 129 Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Trenton
6
49 mi into trip | ~1h in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
8
59 mi into trip | ~1h 13m in

Take the exit toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport

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 13A Toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport
8
62.4 mi into trip | ~1h 19m in | NJ 21

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21 toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
8
75.9 mi into trip | ~1h 37m in

Take the exit toward Ackerman Avenue, Botany Village, Garfield

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 13 Toward Ackerman Avenue, Botany Village, Garfiel...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.18 one way

$26.36 round trip

$4.37/gal 25.4 MPG avg 27 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.79 $14.46 $28.93
premium $5.13 $15.48 $30.96
diesel $5.97 $18.02 $36.04

Estimated Tolls: $4.09

Garden State Parkway (46.1 mi) $2.76
New Jersey Turnpike (9.5 mi) $1.33

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: 26.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-09-07.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 23 0 $8.05 $3.68
Efficient EV 19.2 0 $6.71 $3.07
EV Truck/SUV 30.7 0 $10.74 $4.91

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.

Forecast as of Sep 2, 2026

Origin

Toms River, NJ

Morning in Toms River on Saturday

Local time

6:45 AM

EDT

Current temp

69°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy

NE 0 to 5 mph 55% chance Live forecast

Tornado Warning

Tornado Warning issued September 1 at 9:07PM EDT until September 1 at 9:45PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued September 1 at 9:04PM EDT until September 1 at 10:15PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ

Destination

Garfield, NJ

Morning in Garfield on Saturday

Local time

6:45 AM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy

NE 2 to 6 mph 88% chance Live forecast

Tornado Warning

Tornado Warning issued September 1 at 9:07PM EDT until September 1 at 9:45PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued September 1 at 9:04PM EDT until September 1 at 10:15PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ

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

2 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 40m 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.

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

4 mi from route ~11 min detour Free near mile 76.7
Caution: Overlook Park Parking Lot - Vehicles Must Be Parked in a Designated Spot
View on nps.gov
Thomas Edison National Historical Park

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...

4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 near mile 66.1
View on nps.gov
Gateway National Recreation Area

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...

16 mi from route ~39 min detour Free near mile 58.2
View on nps.gov
Morristown National Historical Park

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 ~47 min detour Free near mile 63.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

76.7 mi in 1h 40m, mostly highway — 46.1 mi of that is on Garden State Parkway.

93% 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: 46.1 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 21. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 47.8 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 76.7 miles you will encounter 15 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 47.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

220 ft 8 ft

Total Climb

450 ft

Total Descent

439 ft

Highest Point

220 ft

~32.9 mi in

Elevation Range

211 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 Garfield, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New York City, Trenton, Njtp North: New York City, Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport and Downtown.

Njtp: New York City

47.8 mi in | ~58m

Trenton

47.8 mi in | ~58m

Njtp North: New York City

48.8 mi in | ~1h

Newark Airport

59 mi in | ~1h 13m

Elizabeth Seaport

59 mi in | ~1h 13m

Downtown

62.4 mi in | ~1h 19m | via NJ 21

About the Cities

Starting in Toms River, NJ

Full guide →

Founded 1768

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

Arriving in Garfield, NJ

Full guide →

Bergen County is in the Gateway region at the northeastern corner of New Jersey. Bergen County and its many inner suburbs constitute a highly developed part of the New York City metropolitan area.

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 40m. Total distance: 76.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 46.1 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $4.09 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 Garfield, 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 47.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Paterson Great Falls 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 Garfield, 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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