Origin
Toms River, NJ
Late night in Toms River on Sunday
Local time
4:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Toms River, NJ to Newark, NJ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 25m
Distance
65.1 mi
105 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 19m
★
6 AM
1h 25m
8 AM
1h 38m
10 AM
1h 30m
12 PM
1h 28m
3 PM
1h 30m
5 PM
1h 38m
8 PM
1h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Toms River, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Toms River to Newark covers 65.1 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 25 minutes. This highway-focused trip is perfect for a single-day excursion, as it is short enough to avoid the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize the Garden State Parkway, the New Jersey Turnpike, and NJ 21 to navigate through the Northeast region. Expect to spend approximately $11 on fuel for the journey. Because this route is entirely within New Jersey, you will experience a consistent regional feel from start to finish. It is a straightforward, practical drive that prioritizes efficiency over scenic diversions.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 46.1 mi | 55m |
| New Jersey Turnpike | 9.5 mi | 11m |
| NJ 21 | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| US 1 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| NJ 81 | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| North Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Mulberry Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Market Street | 0.2 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 Newark, 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
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
NJ 21
Toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
229 ft
·
7 sec
·
Chestnut Street
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto Mulberry Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Mulberry Street
21
Turn left onto CR 510
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Market Street
Use the left lane.
22
Arrive at destination
CR 510
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
33 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 32.6 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 47.8 and 62.4 — 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
6
60.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.79 one way
$21.59 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $11.82 | $23.64 |
| premium | $4.93 | $12.63 | $25.25 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.37 | $28.75 |
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.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Tolls
$4
Total
$15
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.5 | 0 | $6.84 | $3.12 |
| Efficient EV | 16.3 | 0 | $5.70 | $2.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26 | 0 | $9.11 | $4.17 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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.
Destination
Newark, NJ
Late night in Newark on Sunday
Local time
4:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 25m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This journey is characterized by a high-speed, highway-centric experience, with 92% of the trip spent on major roadways. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 46.1 miles along the Garden State Parkway. While the drive starts in the suburban landscape of Toms River, the character of the road shifts as you transition onto the New Jersey Turnpike and eventually NJ 21. Do not expect technical local roads or winding side streets; instead, prepare for a focused, high-traffic commute. Staying alert is key, as the high highway percentage keeps you moving steadily toward your destination in Newark.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 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 Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 65.1 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Newark, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New York City, Trenton, Njtp North: New York City, Newark Airport and Elizabeth Seaport.
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
About the Cities
Starting in Toms River, NJ
Full guide →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.
Arriving in Newark, NJ
Full guide →Newark is New Jersey's largest city and second largest in Metro New York. Although one of the great historic cities of the Northeast and the most culture-rich city in the state, Newark is often overlooked in favor of Goliath-like Manhattan and towns along the Hudson River, such as Jersey City and Hoboken. While no longer the industrial powerhouse it once was, Newark remains one of America's major shipping, rail, and air hubs. Public transportation is abundant, making it easy to get to, from, and around the city. Newark has been economically disadvantaged for some time, and suffers from a bad reputation, often informed by negative stereotyping. Thanks in large part to a nationally high-profile mayor (Cory Booker, now a U.S.
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 25m. Total distance: 65.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). 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 Newark, 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 — 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 Newark, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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