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Trip from Belleville, NJ to Toms River, NJ

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 32m

Distance

70.1 mi

113 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 25m ★
6 AM
1h 32m
8 AM
1h 46m
10 AM
1h 37m
12 PM
1h 36m
3 PM
1h 38m
5 PM
1h 45m
8 PM
1h 28m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States

Belleville, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

township in Ocean County, New Jersey

Toms River, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Belleville, NJ to Toms River, NJ covers 70.1 miles and takes about 1h 32m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike, NJ 21 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 46.7 miles on Garden State Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.62 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

35.1 miles from Belleville, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Garden State Parkway 46.7 mi 54m
New Jersey Turnpike 9.4 mi 11m
NJ 21 6.7 mi 11m
US 1 1.7 mi 2m
Exit to GSP and US Route 9 1.4 mi 2m
NJ 81 1.1 mi 2m
North Main Street 0.7 mi 1m
GSP Southbound entrance 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Garden State Parkway — 46.7 mi, about 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Belleville, NJ and Toms River, NJ.

1

Start on NJ 7

23 ft · 4 sec · Washington Avenue
2

Turn right onto Joralemon Street

0.3 mi · 42 sec · Joralemon Street
3

Turn left onto Main Street

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Main Street
4

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Toward NJ 21 South: Newark
5

Merge onto NJ 21

6.7 mi · 11 min · NJ 21
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Merge onto US 1; US 9

0.2 mi · 17 sec · US 1; US 9
7

Continue on US 1; US 9

1.5 mi · 2 min · US 1; US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
9

Continue on NJ 81

1.1 mi · 2 min · NJ 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork

315 ft · 7 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
12

Merge onto I 95; NJTP

9.4 mi · 11 min · New Jersey Turnpike
13

Take the exit onto Exit 11

1.4 mi · 2 min · Exit to GSP and US Route 9
Exit 11 Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge Use the slight right lane.
14

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy Use the slight left lane.
15

Keep slight left at fork onto GSP Southbound entrance

0.5 mi · 1 min · GSP Southbound entrance
Toward GSP South: Garden State Parkway Use the slight left lane.
16

Merge onto GSP

3.0 mi · 3 min · Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight left at fork onto GSP

0.7 mi · 49 sec · Garden State Parkway
18

Keep slight right at fork onto GSP

43 mi · 50 min · Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 48 sec
Exit 82 Toward NJ 37 East: Seaside Heights, Island Beach State Park Use the right lane.
20

Merge onto NJ 37

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Route 37 West
21

Turn right onto NJ 166

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
22

Turn left

78 ft · 5 sec
23

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 35.1 miles from Belleville, NJ, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.7 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 15 miles or 24m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 35.1 miles or 50m 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 18m

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 Belleville, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Belleville, NJ

This is one driving day of about 70.1 miles and 1h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Belleville, 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 46.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

35 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Staten Island, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 35.1 miles from Belleville, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Valenca Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Elizabeth, New Jersey

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 10

Hours: 10:30 am–12 pm

+19083544024

Visit website

Amsterdam Alley Bar & Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Linden, New Jersey

2.1 mi

Filoncino Bakery Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Red Bank, New Jersey

2.1 mi

Valenca Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 10

Elizabeth, New Jersey

Hours: 10:30 am–12 pm

+19083544024

Visit website

Amsterdam Alley Bar & Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 15

Linden, New Jersey

Hours: 12 pm–12 am

+19089254166

Visit website

Filoncino Bakery Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 40.1

Red Bank, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+17323770404

Visit website

Princess Maria's 2 Pizza & Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 60.1

Brick Township, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+17327146471

Visit website

Fiore Rosso Restaurant & Catering

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $30 to $50 mile 65.1

Toms River, New Jersey

Hours: 5–9 pm

+17322553323

Visit website

Deluca's Italian Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately mile 20

Staten Island, New York

Hours: 12–9 pm

+17182277200

Visit website

Fiorentini Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Rutherford, New Jersey

Hours: 5–9:30 pm

+19737213404

Visit website

Giorgio's Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour Moderately mile 5

South Orange Village, New Jersey

Hours: 12–3 pm

+19737624440

Visit website

Eagle Rock Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10

Montclair, New Jersey

Hours: 7:30 am–5:30 pm

+19733586543

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 50.1

Tinton Falls, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18665761495

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 60.1

Lakewood, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 50.1

Tinton Falls, NJ

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.2 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 5

Newark, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 5

Newark, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 50.1

Tinton Falls, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 5

Kearny, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Belleville, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Military Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 5

Newark, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19739005800

Visit website

Independence Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 5

Newark, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19732683500

Visit website

Fords Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 20

Woodbridge, New Jersey

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+17327453900

Visit website

West Hudson Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 5

Harrison, NJ

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12012175482

Visit website

Cornucopia Cruise Lines

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 25

Perth Amboy, New Jersey

+17326979500

Visit website

Wild Child Play Space

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 20

Staten Island, New York

Hours: Closed

+19296146088

Visit website

Island Entertainment

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 20

Staten Island, New York

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+13472367136

Visit website

Conference House Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 25

Staten Island, New York

+17189846046

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 10.2 and 68.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
10.2 mi into trip | ~18m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
8
20.1 mi into trip | ~30m in | Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9

Take the exit onto Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9 toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge

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 11 Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbri...
8
21.4 mi into trip | ~33m in

Keep slight left at fork toward GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Pa...
7
21.7 mi into trip | ~33m in | GSP Southbound entrance

Keep slight left at fork onto GSP Southbound entrance toward GSP South: Garden State Parkway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward GSP South: Garden State Parkway
8
68.9 mi into trip | ~1h 29m in

Take the exit toward NJ 37 East: Seaside Heights, Island Beach State Park

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Exit 82 Toward NJ 37 East: Seaside Heights, Island Beac...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.62 one way

$23.24 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 25 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $12.73 $25.46
premium $4.93 $13.59 $27.19
diesel $5.61 $15.48 $30.95

Estimated Tolls: $4.11

Garden State Parkway (46.7 mi) $2.80
New Jersey Turnpike (9.4 mi) $1.31

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

$12

Tolls

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 24.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 21 0 $7.36 $3.36
Efficient EV 17.5 0 $6.13 $2.80
EV Truck/SUV 28 0 $9.81 $4.49

Gas CO2

25 kg

EV CO2

8 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

Belleville, NJ

Afternoon in Belleville on Saturday

Local time

2:03 PM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Toms River, NJ

Afternoon in Toms River on Saturday

Local time

2:03 PM

EDT

Current temp

45°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

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 32m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Thomas Edison National Historical Park

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...

4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 near mile 2.4
View on nps.gov
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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 ~21 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Gateway National Recreation Area

Gateway National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

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...

16 mi from route ~40 min detour Free near mile 12.1
View on nps.gov
Morristown National Historical Park

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...

19 mi from route ~47 min detour Free near mile 7.3
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

70.1 mi in 1h 32m, mostly highway — 46.7 mi of that is on Garden State Parkway.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 46.7 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 10.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70.1 miles you will encounter 19 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 10.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.1 miles (Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Belleville, NJ and Toms River, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp South: Trenton, Gsp, Woodbridge, Gsp South and Perth Amboy.

Njtp South: Trenton

10.2 mi in | ~18m

Gsp

20.1 mi in | ~30m | via Exit 11

Woodbridge

20.1 mi in | ~30m | via Exit 11

Gsp South

21.4 mi in | ~33m

Perth Amboy

21.4 mi in | ~33m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 70.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 32m 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 46.7 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $4.11 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: at 10.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.1 miles (Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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 Toms River, NJ before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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