Driving from Wildwood to Toms River is a straightforward 81.3-mile trip that typically takes about 1 hour and 38 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as the distance is short enough that you won't need to worry about an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $13 on fuel for the journey, making it a budget-friendly option for a quick getaway within the Northeast. By utilizing North Wildwood Boulevard and New Jersey Avenue to reach the Garden State Parkway, you bypass local congestion to maintain a steady pace. It is an ideal route for travelers who prefer a direct, no-fuss connection between these two New Jersey destinations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.7 miles from Wildwood, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
74.4 mi
1h 26m
North Wildwood Boulevard
3.1 mi
4m
New Jersey Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
West Spruce Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
West Anglesea Drive
0.3 mi
<1m
West Water Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Irons Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Lakehurst Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 74.4 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wildwood, NJ and Toms River, NJ.
1
Start on this road
38 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto West Wildwood Avenue
142 ft·13 sec·West Wildwood Avenue
3
Turn left onto CR 621
1.5 mi·2 min·New Jersey Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on CR 621; OD
0.3 mi·36 sec·West Anglesea Drive
5
Continue on NJ 147; OD
0.5 mi·52 sec·West Spruce Avenue
6
Continue on NJ 147; OD
3.1 mi·4 min·North Wildwood Boulevard
7
Turn slight right
432 ft·15 sec
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 6Toward GSP Toll North: Garden State Parkway
9
Merge onto GSP
12 mi·14 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·31 sec
11
Merge onto GSP
34 mi·39 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
28 mi·32 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 81Toward Lakehurst Road, Toms RiverUse the slight right lane.
14
Continue on Lakehurst Road
469 ft·10 sec·Lakehurst Road
15
Continue on CR 527
0.2 mi·26 sec·West Water Street
16
Turn left onto Irons Street
0.1 mi·29 sec·Irons Street
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on Irons Street
268 ft·16 sec·Irons Street
18
Turn right onto NJ 166
287 ft·10 sec·North Main Street
19
Turn left
78 ft·5 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak commuter hours will ensure the smoothest transit. Since there are no mandatory stops required for this 81.3-mile distance, you can easily complete the trip in one go without needing to refuel or stretch your legs. Keep in mind that the Garden State Parkway serves as the backbone of this route, so checking traffic reports before you leave can save you from unexpected delays. As a practical tip, ensure your E-ZPass is ready to go, as the Parkway relies heavily on electronic tolling. Use the simplicity of this short drive to your advantage by planning your arrival in Toms River exactly when you want it.
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 40.7 miles from Wildwood, NJ, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.4 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 18 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.7 miles or 49m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Toms River, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wildwood, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Wildwood, NJ
This is one driving day of about 81.3 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Wildwood, 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 74.4 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 and 81.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|CR 621 / New Jersey Avenue
Turn left onto CR 621 / New Jersey Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
5.6 mi into trip|~9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward GSP Toll North: Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 6
Toward GSP Toll North: Garden State Parkway
6
52.5 mi into trip|~1h 3m in|GSP / Garden State Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
80.6 mi into trip|~1h 36m in
Take the exit toward Lakehurst Road, Toms River
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 81
Toward Lakehurst Road, Toms River
6
81.1 mi into trip|~1h 37m in|Irons Street
Turn left onto Irons Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.48 one way
$26.96 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$14.76
$29.52
premium
$4.93
$15.77
$31.53
diesel
$5.61
$17.95
$35.90
Estimated Tolls: $4.46
Garden State Parkway
(74.4 mi)$4.46
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
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 64% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.4
0
$8.54
$3.90
Efficient EV
20.3
0
$7.11
$3.25
EV Truck/SUV
32.5
0
$11.38
$5.20
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (64% 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
Wildwood, NJ
Night
in Wildwood on Saturday
Local time
10:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Toms River, NJ
Night
in Toms River on Saturday
Local time
10:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Bass River, NJ
41 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
3 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 38m 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 trip is a quintessential highway-focused drive, with 91% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will find yourself settling into a long, uninterrupted stretch covering 74.4 miles on the Garden State Parkway, which dominates the vast majority of your time behind the wheel. The experience is efficient and consistent, lacking the technical demands of winding rural backroads or heavy city traffic. Transitioning from the local streets of Wildwood onto the Parkway creates a clear shift in momentum, moving you quickly into the flow of regional transit. Expect a predictable, steady pace that allows you to cover the distance with minimal stress.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 74.4 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and North Wildwood Boulevard. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR 621 / New Jersey Avenue.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 81.3 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: near the start (CR 621 / New Jersey Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 52.5 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Wildwood is on the Southern Shore of New Jersey. It is primarily a resort town whose population swells in the summer months (June - August) with vacationers coming mainly from New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, and Quebec. There are also a significant number of seasonal workers from Pennsylvania, Ireland and Eastern Europe. Together with the small bordering towns of North Wildwood and Wildwood Crest, Wildwood is often called "the Wildwoods."
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 38m. Total distance: 81.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m 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 74.4 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.46 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 Toms River, 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: near the start (CR 621 / New Jersey Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 52.5 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): 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 Toms River, NJ before heading back.
