Toms River to Salem is 89.1 miles and takes about 2 hours via New Jersey Turnpike and NJ 70, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Jersey, connecting the Northeast region of the state to another part of the Northeast. Given its relatively short duration and mostly highway profile, this is a straightforward drive. It's a good option for a quick trip when you need to get from point A to point B without a lot of fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.6 miles from Toms River, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
33.5 mi
38m
NJ 70
30 mi
43m
CR 530
7.9 mi
12m
North Broadway
5.4 mi
7m
Dover Road
3.3 mi
5m
NJ 73
2.7 mi
3m
South Broadway
2.6 mi
2m
West Broadway
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 33.5 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Toms River, NJ and Salem, NJ.
1
Start on this road
78 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto NJ 166
0.1 mi·11 sec·North Main Street
3
Turn right onto NJ 166; CR 527
0.1 mi·25 sec·West Water Street
4
Turn left onto NJ 166
386 ft·11 sec·Irons Street
5
Turn left onto NJ 166
0.1 mi·14 sec·Herflicker Boulevard
6
Turn right onto CR 530
0.5 mi·44 sec·South Main Street
7
Turn right onto CR 530
3.3 mi·5 min·Dover Road
8
Turn slight right onto CR 530
7.9 mi·12 min·CR 530
Toward CR 530: ManchesterUse the straight lane.
9
Turn left onto NJ 70; CR 530
12 mi·16 min·NJ 70; CR 530
Use the left lane.
10
Enter roundabout onto NJ 70
444 ft·5 sec·NJ 70
Toward NJ 70 West: Medford, Cherry Hill
11
Continue on NJ 70
7.7 mi·10 min·NJ 70
Toward NJ 70 West: Medford, Cherry Hill
12
Enter roundabout onto NJ 70
462 ft·6 sec·NJ 70
Toward NJ 70 West: Camden, Philadelphia
13
Continue on NJ 70
10 mi·16 min·NJ 70
Toward NJ 70 West: Camden, PhiladelphiaUse the straight / right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Toward NJ 73: Palmyra, Tacony BridgeUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto NJ 73
2.7 mi·3 min·NJ 73
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on NJ 73
198 ft·3 sec·NJ 73
Use the right lane.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward NJTPUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·41 sec
Toward NJTP South: DelawareUse the straight / right lanes.
19
Merge onto NJTP
32 mi·36 min·New Jersey Turnpike
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
21
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·23 sec·this road
22
Merge onto NJTP
2.0 mi·2 min·New Jersey Turnpike
23
Merge onto I 295; US 40
0.2 mi·15 sec·I 295; US 40
24
Take the exit
0.1 mi·34 sec
Exit 1Toward NJ 49 East: Pennsville, SalemUse the straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on US 130
5.4 mi·7 min·North Broadway
26
Continue on NJ 49
0.3 mi·20 sec·Broadway Road
27
Continue on NJ 49
2.6 mi·2 min·South Broadway
28
Continue on NJ 49
0.2 mi·20 sec·Front Street
29
Turn left onto NJ 49
0.5 mi·38 sec·West Broadway
30
Arrive at destination
1 ft·0 sec·NJ 49
Trip Plan
Since this is a short drive of about 2 hours, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Toms River mid-morning should allow you to avoid the worst of any local rush hour traffic. With only 89.1 miles, you likely won't need many stops for fuel or rest, but there are plenty of service areas along the New Jersey Turnpike if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is only $15, and plan to top off before you leave or shortly after arriving in Salem if you plan on further travel. The highway sections can be busy, so stay alert.
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 44.6 miles from Toms River, NJ, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.5 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 20 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.6 miles or 1h 7m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Salem, 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 89.1 miles and 2h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Toms River, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New Jersey Turnpike for about 33.5 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 12.1 and 79.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
12.1 mi into trip|~19m in|NJ 70; CR 530
Turn left onto NJ 70; CR 530
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
42.2 mi into trip|~1h 3m in
Take the exit toward NJ 73: Palmyra, Tacony Bridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward NJ 73: Palmyra, Tacony Bridge
7
45.1 mi into trip|~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward NJTP
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward NJTP
8
45.4 mi into trip|~1h 8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJTP South: Delaware
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward NJTP South: Delaware
9
79.9 mi into trip|~1h 48m in
Take the exit toward NJ 49 East: Pennsville, Salem
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 1
Toward NJ 49 East: Pennsville, Salem
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.77 one way
$29.54 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$16.18
$32.36
premium
$4.93
$17.28
$34.56
diesel
$5.61
$19.67
$39.34
Estimated Tolls: $4.70
New Jersey Turnpike
(33.5 mi)$4.70
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
$15
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
4 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Tesla Supercharger
New Castle, Delaware
Tesla
1 DCFC
Electrify America Charging Station
New Castle, Delaware
Electrify America
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Carneys Point, New Jersey
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
New Castle, Delaware
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 2
Tesla: 1
Electrify America: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.7
0
$9.36
$4.28
Efficient EV
22.3
0
$7.80
$3.56
EV Truck/SUV
35.6
0
$12.47
$5.70
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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Toms River, NJ
Late night
in Toms River on Sunday
Local time
12:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Salem, NJ
Late night
in Salem on Sunday
Local time
12:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Bristol, PA
45 mi in
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
4 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
2h 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?
This route is predominantly highway, with 84% of the drive on high-speed roads. You'll spend a significant portion, up to 33.5 miles, on the New Jersey Turnpike. Expect numerous exits and merges as you navigate this busy stretch. The route transitions to surface roads for the remaining miles, offering a change of pace.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 33.5 mi on New Jersey Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and NJ 70. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.1 miles in near NJ 70; CR 530.
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 21 significant decision points across 89.1 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 12.1 miles (NJ 70; CR 530): Lane positioning matters here; at 42.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Salem, NJ, road signs point toward Cherry Hill, Philadelphia, Njtp and Njtp South: Delaware.
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 2h. Total distance: 89.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 33.5 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.70 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.
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 Salem, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.1 miles (NJ 70; CR 530): Lane positioning matters here; at 42.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Salem, NJ before heading back.
