Traveling from Toms River to Paterson covers 77.7 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. This journey is perfectly suited as a one-day trip, allowing you to easily manage the distance without needing to book an overnight stay. Your path will primarily utilize North Main Street, Route 37 West, and US 9 as you navigate through the Northeast region of New Jersey. Budgeting approximately $13 for fuel makes this a cost-effective excursion for your schedule. Because the route is entirely contained within the state, you can expect a familiar landscape as you head north. It is a straightforward transit that prioritizes efficiency over long-haul endurance.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.8 miles from Toms River, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
72.7 mi
1h 32m
NJ 19
1.7 mi
1m
North Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
Main Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Grand Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Route 37 West
0.1 mi
<1m
Market Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Colt Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 72.7 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Toms River, NJ and Paterson, 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
52 mi·1 hr 7 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 155AToward NJ 19: PatersonUse the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Merge onto NJ 19
1.7 mi·1 min·NJ 19
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
313 ft·7 sec
Toward I 80 West: Grand Street, Del Water Gap
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·23 sec
Toward Grand StreetUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Turn right onto CR 638
0.2 mi·27 sec·Grand Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn left onto CR 509
0.3 mi·29 sec·Main Street
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn right onto CR 648
453 ft·15 sec·Market Street
15
Turn left onto Colt Street
42 ft·3 sec·Colt Street
16
Arrive at destination
Colt Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns to ensure a smooth 1 hour and 15 minute transit. Because the route relies on local roads rather than high-speed highways, keeping an eye on your navigation system for turn-by-turn guidance is essential. There are no planned stops on this 77.7-mile trek, so you should ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave to cover the estimated $13 cost. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, stay alert during transitions between North Main Street, Route 37 West, and US 9. Taking this trip during off-peak hours will help you avoid the congestion typical of local New Jersey roadways.
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 38.8 miles from Toms River, NJ, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.7 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 17 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.8 miles or 48m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Paterson, 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 77.5 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 72.7 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 77.2 — 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...
7
74.5 mi into trip|~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward NJ 19: Paterson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 155A
Toward NJ 19: Paterson
8
76.9 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Grand Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Grand Street
7
77 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|CR 638 / Grand Street
Turn right onto CR 638 / Grand Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
77.2 mi into trip|~1h 39m in|CR 509 / Main Street
Turn left onto CR 509 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.85 one way
$25.70 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$14.07
$28.14
premium
$4.93
$15.03
$30.06
diesel
$5.61
$17.11
$34.22
Estimated Tolls: $4.36
Garden State Parkway
(72.7 mi)$4.36
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
$13
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.3
0
$8.14
$3.72
Efficient EV
19.4
0
$6.78
$3.10
EV Truck/SUV
31
0
$10.85
$4.96
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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Toms River, NJ
Afternoon
in Toms River on Sunday
Local time
12:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Paterson, NJ
Afternoon
in Paterson on Sunday
Local time
12:13 PM
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 39m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features 0% highway travel. You will be navigating local roads for the duration of the 77.7-mile trip, requiring your full attention at intersections and turns. The nature of this drive is consistent, lacking long, uninterrupted highway stretches that allow for cruise control. Instead, the character of the road is defined by the constant adjustments necessary for local traffic patterns. You will find that the rhythm of the drive remains steady from start to finish, reflecting the practical reality of navigating New Jersey’s local road network.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.7 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and NJ 19. 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 Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.5 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 74.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 39m. Total distance: 77.5 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 (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72.7 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.36 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 Paterson, 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 74.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Paterson, NJ before heading back.
