Toms River to Old Tappan is 88.3 miles and takes about 1 hour 57 minutes via Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays entirely within New Jersey, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. You'll be spending most of your time on major parkways and turnpikes. Given the relatively short distance and time, this is a straightforward trip for a single day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.1 miles from Toms River, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m 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
12.6 mi
16m
South Washington Avenue
3.1 mi
4m
Teaneck Road
2.9 mi
5m
Schraalenburgh Road
2.5 mi
4m
Lafayette Road
0.8 mi
1m
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 Old Tappan, 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
13 mi·16 min·New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn slight right
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 70BToward Teaneck
17
Continue on CR 56
0.6 mi·57 sec·Degraw Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto CR 39
2.9 mi·5 min·Teaneck Road
19
Continue on CR 49; CR 39
3.1 mi·4 min·South Washington Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on CR 39
2.5 mi·4 min·Schraalenburgh Road
21
Continue on CR 109
0.8 mi·1 min·Lafayette Road
22
At end of road, turn left onto CR 109
0.4 mi·44 sec·Blanch Avenue
23
Continue on CR 109
0.4 mi·39 sec·Cripplebush Road
24
Continue on CR 110
0.5 mi·1 min·Washington Avenue South
25
Arrive at destination
CR 110
Trip Plan
Since this trip is under two hours, it's best suited for a single day. Aim to leave Toms River either early in the morning to beat traffic or mid-day. With a fuel cost estimated around $14, you won't need to worry too much about frequent stops for gas. The longest stretch without a major change in direction is 46.1 miles on the Garden State Parkway, so plan any brief breaks before or after that segment. Your flexibility with this shorter drive means you can easily adjust your departure time based on real-time traffic conditions.
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 44.1 miles from Toms River, NJ, or about 53m 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 19 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.1 miles or 53m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Old Tappan, 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 88.3 miles and 1h 57m.
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 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 76 — 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...
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.
8
76 mi into trip|~1h 36m in
Take the exit toward Leonia, Teaneck
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 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.62 one way
$31.23 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$17.10
$34.21
premium
$5.24
$18.23
$36.46
diesel
$5.35
$18.60
$37.20
Estimated Tolls: $6.48
New Jersey Turnpike
(26.5 mi)$3.72
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
$16
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.5
0
$9.27
$4.24
Efficient EV
22.1
0
$7.73
$3.53
EV Truck/SUV
35.3
0
$12.36
$5.65
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 May 24, 2026
Origin
Toms River, NJ
Evening
in Toms River on Wednesday
Local time
5:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Patchy Fog
E 5 to 15 mph85% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued May 24 at 3:16AM EDT until May 24 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued May 24 at 3:16AM EDT until May 24 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Old Tappan, NJ
Evening
in Old Tappan on Wednesday
Local time
5:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Rain
E 10 mph98% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued May 24 at 3:16AM EDT until May 24 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued May 24 at 3:16AM EDT until May 24 at 8:00PM 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
6 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 57m 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...
9 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 79.2
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 60.9
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 predominantly highway driving, with 82% of the trip on major roads like the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike. You'll experience a longest stretch of 46.1 miles on the Garden State Parkway before transitioning to other highways. Expect a high volume of exits and merges as you navigate these busy corridors, especially as you approach the more urban areas closer to your destination.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 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 0.8 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 88.3 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 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
106 ft9 ft
Total Climb
254 ft
Total Descent
199 ft
Highest Point
106 ft
~44.1 mi in
Elevation Range
96 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 Old Tappan, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New York City, Trenton, Njtp North: New York City, Leonia and Teaneck.
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 57m. Total distance: 88.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). 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 $6.48 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 Old Tappan, 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 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.
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 Old Tappan, NJ before heading back.
