Toms River to New Milford is 83.9 miles and takes about 1h 50m via the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, one-day drive primarily within New Jersey, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Given its relatively short distance and focus on major highways, it's a practical option for a quick transit. Most of the journey will be on well-maintained parkways and turnpikes, making it an efficient way to cover the ground between these two locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.9 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
46.1 mi
55m
New Jersey Turnpike
14 mi
17m
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
10.7 mi
14m
South River Street
2 mi
3m
River Road
1.5 mi
2m
Christopher Columbus Highway
1.2 mi
1m
Hackensack Avenue
1.2 mi
2m
North Main Street
0.7 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 New Milford, 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·14 min·New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Toward I 80 West: PatersonUse the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 80 West Local: HackensackUse the slight right lane.
17
Continue on I 80
1.2 mi·1 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 66Toward Hudson Street, Hackensack, Little FerryUse the slight right lane.
19
Continue on East Kennedy Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·East Kennedy Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto CR 503; CR 49
2.0 mi·3 min·South River Street
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on CR 503; CR 49
1.2 mi·2 min·Hackensack Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on CR 49
0.5 mi·44 sec·New Bridge Road
23
Continue on CR 49
526 ft·14 sec·Roemer Avenue
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on CR 49
0.1 mi·21 sec·Roemer Avenue
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto CR 41
1.5 mi·2 min·River Road
26
Turn right onto Cedar Road
0.2 mi·51 sec·Cedar Road
27
Turn right onto Plympton Street
270 ft·11 sec·Plympton Street
28
Arrive at destination
Plympton Street
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 1 hour and 50 minutes, this trip is easily completed in a single day. You can depart at your leisure, but consider leaving mid-morning to avoid peak commuter traffic on the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, you'll want to ensure your tank is full before setting out, as dedicated services can be spaced out on these parkways. There are no designated stops mentioned, so plan for any necessary breaks to be on your own schedule.
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 41.9 miles from Toms River, NJ, or about 50m 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 18 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.9 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Milford, 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 83.9 miles and 1h 50m.
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 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 47.8 and 77.9 — 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
6
63.5 mi into trip|~1h 19m in|I 95; NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
76.1 mi into trip|~1h 36m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 West Local: Hackensack
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 80 West Local: Hackensack
8
77.9 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward Hudson Street, Hackensack, Little Ferry
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 66
Toward Hudson Street, Hackensack, Little Ferry
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.91 one way
$27.82 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$15.23
$30.47
premium
$4.93
$16.27
$32.54
diesel
$5.61
$18.52
$37.05
Estimated Tolls: $6.22
New Jersey Turnpike
(24.7 mi)$3.46
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: 29.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.2
0
$8.81
$4.03
Efficient EV
21
0
$7.34
$3.36
EV Truck/SUV
33.6
0
$11.75
$5.37
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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
Morning
in Toms River on Sunday
Local time
6:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New Milford, NJ
Morning
in New Milford on Sunday
Local time
6:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°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
24 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 50m 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...
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 60.7
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 57.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is heavily highway-focused, with 85% of the drive utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Garden State Parkway, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 46.1 miles. The journey progresses along the New Jersey Turnpike and its Western Spur, offering a consistent driving experience characterized by higher speeds and predictable conditions. Expect a landscape dominated by the infrastructure of these busy arteries rather than varied scenery.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 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 83.9 miles you will encounter 18 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 63.5 miles (I 95; NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur): 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 New Milford, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New York City, Trenton, Njtp North: New York City, Hackensack and Little Ferry.
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 50m. Total distance: 83.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). 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 $6.22 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 New Milford, 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 63.5 miles (I 95; NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 New Milford, NJ before heading back.
