Toms River, NJ to Leonia, NJ is 77.2 miles and takes about 1 hour 39 minutes via Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region and entirely within New Jersey. Given its relatively short duration and highway-heavy profile, this route is best suited for a single-day drive. You'll spend most of your time on major parkways and turnpikes, making it a straightforward transit between these two points in the Garden State.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.6 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
New Jersey Turnpike
14 mi
17m
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
11.3 mi
15m
Broad Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
North Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
US 46
0.5 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 Leonia, 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 129Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, TrentonUse 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
14 mi·17 min·New Jersey Turnpike
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; NJTP
11 mi·15 min·New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward US 46: The Ridgefields, Palisades ParkUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·42 sec
Toward US 46 East: Ridgefield, Palisades ParkUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto US 46
0.5 mi·45 sec·US 46
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi·26 sec
Toward US 1 South, US 9 South: Broad AvenueUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn left onto US 1; US 9
1.5 mi·2 min·Broad Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
20
Arrive at destination
Broad Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 39-minute drive, leaving early in the morning is a good strategy to avoid peak traffic, especially as you approach the New York metropolitan area. With only 77.2 miles, you won't need extensive stops, but keep an eye on the fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $13. The longest stretch without a major exit is 46.1 miles on the Garden State Parkway, so plan accordingly if you need to refuel or take a break before then. This is a manageable drive, allowing for flexibility in your departure time.
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 38.6 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 38.6 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 Leonia, 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 77.2 miles and 1h 39m.
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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 47.8 and 75.6 — 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
7
74.7 mi into trip|~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward US 46: The Ridgefields, Palisades Park
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 US 46: The Ridgefields, Palisades Park
9
74.9 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 46 East: Ridgefield, Palisades Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 46 East: Ridgefield, Palisades Park
7
75.6 mi into trip|~1h 36m in
Take the exit toward US 1 South, US 9 South: Broad Avenue
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 US 1 South, US 9 South: Broad Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.65 one way
$27.31 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$14.95
$29.91
premium
$5.24
$15.94
$31.88
diesel
$5.35
$16.26
$32.52
Estimated Tolls: $6.30
New Jersey Turnpike
(25.3 mi)$3.54
Garden State Parkway
(46.1 mi)$2.76
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
$14
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.2
0
$8.11
$3.71
Efficient EV
19.3
0
$6.76
$3.09
EV Truck/SUV
30.9
0
$10.81
$4.94
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 May 25, 2026
Origin
Toms River, NJ
Evening
in Toms River on Wednesday
Local time
5:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Patchy Fog
E 0 to 5 mph22% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Leonia, NJ
Evening
in Leonia on Wednesday
Local time
5:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°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
14 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 39m 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.
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...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 71.9
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...
15 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 61.2
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
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 55.9
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 93% of the 77.2 miles on major roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 46.1 miles on the Garden State Parkway before transitioning to the New Jersey Turnpike and its Western Spur. Expect a relatively continuous flow of traffic with frequent exits and merges characteristic of busy parkways in the Northeast.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 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 New Jersey Turnpike. 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 Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.2 miles you will encounter 14 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 74.7 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
219 ft4 ft
Total Climb
477 ft
Total Descent
394 ft
Highest Point
219 ft
~33.1 mi in
Elevation Range
215 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 Leonia, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New York City, Trenton and Njtp North: New York City.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 39m. Total distance: 77.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 39m 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 $6.30 in tolls one way, starting with New Jersey Turnpike. 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 10 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 Leonia, 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 74.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Paterson Great Falls 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 Leonia, NJ before heading back.
