Toms River to Phillipsburg is 96.5 miles and takes about 2h 3m via Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway, NJ 18, and Garden State Parkway, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays entirely within New Jersey, connecting the Northeast region's coastal and interior areas. Given its mostly highway profile and short duration, it's a straightforward trip for a single day. You'll be on the road for just over two hours, making it ideal for a quick transfer or a day trip without extensive stops.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.2 miles from Toms River, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
25.8 mi
29m
NJ 18
22.2 mi
26m
Garden State Parkway
15 mi
17m
I 287
9.9 mi
11m
NJ 34
7 mi
9m
US 22
4.1 mi
7m
Easton Avenue
3.4 mi
5m
Memorial Parkway
1.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
— 25.8 mi, about 29m
Traffic on I-78
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,275 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,914
Quietest
2 AM
~515 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Toms River, NJ and Phillipsburg, 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
15 mi·17 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 98Toward NJ 138 East, I 195 West, NJ 34: Belmar, TrentonUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward GSP North, I 195 West
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 195 West: TrentonUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto NJ 138
0.2 mi·16 sec·NJ 138
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Exit 35BToward NJ 34 North: MatawanUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto NJ 34
3.4 mi·4 min·NJ 34
12
Enter roundabout onto NJ 33; NJ 34
451 ft·6 sec·NJ 33; NJ 34
13
Continue on NJ 33; NJ 34
1.0 mi·1 min·NJ 33; NJ 34
14
Take the exit onto NJ 34
3.6 mi·5 min·NJ 34
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick
16
Merge onto NJ 18
22 mi·26 min·NJ 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on NJ 18
1.9 mi·2 min·Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward Easton Avenue, So Bound BrookUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn straight onto (672)
0.2 mi·18 sec·George Street
20
Turn left onto CR 609
0.3 mi·27 sec·Landing Lane
21
Turn right onto CR 527
3.4 mi·5 min·Easton Avenue
Use the right lane.
22
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 287 North: Morristown, Mahwah
23
Merge onto I 287
7.2 mi·8 min·I 287
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 287
2.7 mi·3 min·I 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
1.4 mi·1 min
Exit 21BToward I 78 West: Easton, PennsylvaniaUse the slight left / straight lanes.
26
Merge onto I 78
26 mi·29 min·Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit onto US 22
4.1 mi·7 min·US 22
Exit 3Toward US 22, NJ 122: Phillipsburg, AlphaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
208 ft·5 sec
Toward Morris Street
29
Continue on this road
456 ft·13 sec·this road
Toward Morris Street
30
Turn left
124 ft·9 sec
Toward Morris StreetUse the left lane.
31
Turn left onto CR 677
275 ft·9 sec·Morris Street
32
Turn right onto Miller Street
0.1 mi·29 sec·Miller Street
33
Turn right onto Hudson Street
116 ft·3 sec·Hudson Street
34
Arrive at destination
Hudson Street
Trip Plan
For this 2.5-hour drive, leaving in the morning is recommended to avoid potential afternoon traffic on the Garden State Parkway. Since it's a short route, you can afford to be flexible with your departure time. The fuel cost is estimated at $17, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you depart, as the longest stretch without a clear break is 25.8 miles. Given the minimal driving time, you likely won't need to plan for significant rest stops, but keep an eye on exit signs for any services if needed.
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 48.2 miles from Toms River, NJ, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.8 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 21 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.2 miles or 1h 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Phillipsburg, 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.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Toms River, NJ
This is one driving day of about 96.5 miles and 2h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Toms River, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway for about 25.8 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 16.3 and 92 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
16.3 mi into trip|~20m in
Take the exit toward NJ 138 East, I 195 West, NJ 34: Belmar, 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 98
Toward NJ 138 East, I 195 West, NJ 34: Belmar,...
8
16.9 mi into trip|~21m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 195 West: Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 195 West: Trenton
8
17.4 mi into trip|~22m in
Take the exit toward NJ 34 North: Matawan
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 35B
Toward NJ 34 North: Matawan
8
64.8 mi into trip|~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward I 78 West: Easton, Pennsylvania
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 21B
Toward I 78 West: Easton, Pennsylvania
8
92 mi into trip|~1h 54m in|US 22
Take the exit onto US 22 toward US 22, NJ 122: Phillipsburg, Alpha
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 3
Toward US 22, NJ 122: Phillipsburg, Alpha
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.07 one way
$34.13 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$18.69
$37.38
premium
$5.24
$19.92
$39.85
diesel
$5.35
$20.33
$40.65
Estimated Tolls: $0.90
Garden State Parkway
(15 mi)$0.90
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
$17
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29
0
$10.13
$4.63
Efficient EV
24.1
0
$8.44
$3.86
EV Truck/SUV
38.6
0
$13.51
$6.18
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 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 Jun 2, 2026
Origin
Toms River, NJ
Evening
in Toms River on Wednesday
Local time
5:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Mostly Clear
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Phillipsburg, NJ
Evening
in Phillipsburg on Wednesday
Local time
5:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph3% chanceLive 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
2 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
2h 3m 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.
Morristown National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 66.5
Park Closure: Partial Reopening: Cross Estate Gardens
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...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
$10
near mile 49.9
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...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 36.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a predominantly highway drive, with 91% of the 96.5 miles on major roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 25.8 miles on the Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway. Expect frequent exits and merges as you navigate the network of highways. The transition to more local roads will become apparent as you approach your destination.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 25.8 mi on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway and NJ 18. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 96.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 16.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
367 ft17 ft
Total Climb
552 ft
Total Descent
249 ft
Highest Point
367 ft
~89.6 mi in
Elevation Range
350 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 Phillipsburg, NJ, road signs point toward Trenton, Gsp North, So Bound Brook, Mahwah and Pennsylvania.
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
Phillipsburg is an urban town in northwest New Jersey in the Skylands region of New Jersey in the United States.
Phillipsburg was once a transportation hub where five train lines and three canals came together. The canal arch of the Morris Canal can be seen when traveling down the Delaware River on canoe, kayak or raft.
The town is an Urban Enterprise Zone and many improvements are underway to bring back the town. Visitors are greeted by distinct and stunning architecture on South Main Street.
Top landmarks
•Phillipsburg Commercial Historic District — historic district in Phillipsburg, New Jersey
•Lander–Stewart Mansion and Stites Building — historic houses in Phillipsburg, New Jersey
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 3m. Total distance: 96.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 25.8 miles on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.90 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.
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 Phillipsburg, NJ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. There are 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Morristown National Historical Park, Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area. 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 Phillipsburg, NJ before heading back.
