Toms River to Ho-Ho-Kus is 88 miles and takes about 1 hour 56 minutes via Garden State Parkway and NJ 17, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within New Jersey, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Given its short duration and mostly highway profile, it's a straightforward drive perfect for a single-day excursion. You'll find it’s a quick way to get from one part of the state to another without a lot of fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44 miles from Toms River, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
79.7 mi
1h 41m
NJ 17
4.7 mi
6m
North Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
Hollywood Avenue
0.6 mi
2m
Race Track Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Arbor Drive
0.1 mi
<1m
Route 37 West
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 79.7 mi, about 1h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Toms River, NJ and Ho-Ho-Kus, 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
59 mi·1 hr 17 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 163Toward NJ 17 North: MahwahUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto NJ 17
2.0 mi·2 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on NJ 17
2.3 mi·3 min·NJ 17
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·30 sec
Toward Hollywood Avenue
12
Continue on Hollywood Avenue
503 ft·17 sec·Hollywood Avenue
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on CR 502
0.3 mi·1 min·Hollywood Avenue
14
Turn left onto Hollywood Avenue
0.2 mi·43 sec·Hollywood Avenue
Toward NJ 17 South: ParamusUse the left / straight lanes.
15
Merge onto NJ 17
0.4 mi·35 sec·NJ 17
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi·30 sec
Toward Ho-Ho-Kus
17
Continue on CR 112
0.3 mi·48 sec·Race Track Road
18
Turn right onto Arbor Drive
0.1 mi·34 sec·Arbor Drive
19
Arrive at destination
Arbor Drive
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 88-mile drive, leaving any time of day is feasible, but consider avoiding peak rush hour if possible. With a total duration of under two hours, you likely won't need many stops, though the Garden State Parkway does have service areas. The fuel cost is estimated at $15, so plan accordingly. Since this is a single-day trip and doesn't cover a vast distance, you have the flexibility to make an impromptu stop if something catches your eye, but be aware that the bulk of the route is on the Garden State Parkway.
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 44 miles from Toms River, NJ, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.7 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 19 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44 miles or 55m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ho-Ho-Kus, 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 88 miles and 1h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 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 79.7 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 86.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.8 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the exit toward US 9 Toll North, GSP Toll North: Lakewood, New York, Woodbridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 9 Toll North, GSP Toll North: Lakewoo...
5
1.3 mi into trip|~2m in|GSP; US 9 / Garden State Parkway
Merge onto GSP; US 9 / Garden State Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
81.5 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Take the exit toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 163
Toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
5
82 mi into trip|~1h 46m in|NJ 17
Merge onto NJ 17
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
86.9 mi into trip|~1h 53m in|Hollywood Avenue
Turn left onto Hollywood Avenue toward NJ 17 South: Paramus
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Toward NJ 17 South: Paramus
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.59 one way
$29.18 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$15.98
$31.96
premium
$4.93
$17.07
$34.13
diesel
$5.61
$19.43
$38.86
Estimated Tolls: $4.79
Garden State Parkway
(79.7 mi)$4.79
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
$15
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.4
0
$9.24
$4.22
Efficient EV
22
0
$7.70
$3.52
EV Truck/SUV
35.2
0
$12.32
$5.63
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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
3:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ
Late night
in Ho-Ho-Kus on Sunday
Local time
3:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°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
16 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 56m 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...
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 57.7
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 33.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect almost entirely highway driving, with 96% of the 88 miles on major routes like the Garden State Parkway and NJ 17. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 79.7 miles on the Garden State Parkway. You'll transition to surface streets for the final portion of the trip as you approach Ho-Ho-Kus, indicated by the shift from highway to North Main Street. Be prepared for frequent exits and entrances on the Parkway.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.7 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and NJ 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 88 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.3 miles (GSP; US 9 / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 56m. Total distance: 88 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.7 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.79 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 Ho-Ho-Kus, 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 0.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.3 miles (GSP; US 9 / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ before heading back.
