The drive from Closter, NJ to Toms River, NJ covers 86.7 miles and takes about 1h 54m 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 Western Spur, Washington Avenue for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 46.7 miles on Garden State Parkway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.37 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
43.3 miles from Closter, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 54m. Total distance: 86.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 54m highway drive covering 86.7 miles, with most of the trip on Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur. The longest continuous stretch is about 46.7 miles on Garden State Parkway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Garden State Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 46.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.6 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.7 miles you will encounter 21 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 9.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.8 miles (I 95; NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.6 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
9.6 mi into trip|~17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South: The Ridgefields
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South: The Ridgefields
8
11.8 mi into trip|~20m in|I 95; NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur toward I 95 South: Turnpike South, Exit 16W
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South: Turnpike South, Exit 16W
8
36.6 mi into trip|~53m 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
38 mi into trip|~55m 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...
8
85.4 mi into trip|~1h 52m 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...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Closter, NJ and Toms River, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp South, Exit 16W, Gsp, Woodbridge, Gsp South and Perth Amboy.
Njtp South
9.3 mi in|~17m
Exit 16W
11.8 mi in|~20m|via I 95; NJTP
Gsp
36.6 mi in|~53m|via Exit 11
Woodbridge
36.6 mi in|~53m|via Exit 11
Gsp South
38 mi in|~55m
Perth Amboy
38 mi in|~55m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
46.7 mi
54m
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
24.3 mi
31m
Washington Avenue
3.1 mi
4m
Teaneck Road
2.9 mi
5m
New Jersey Turnpike
1.8 mi
2m
Schraalenburgh Road
1.5 mi
2m
Exit to GSP and US Route 9
1.4 mi
2m
High Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 46.7 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Closter, NJ and Toms River, NJ.
1
Start on Railroad Avenue
0.1 mi·23 sec·Railroad Avenue
2
Continue on Naugle Street
521 ft·22 sec·Naugle Street
3
Continue on Closter Dock Road
0.1 mi·31 sec·Closter Dock Road
4
Turn left onto West Street
0.2 mi·53 sec·West Street
5
At end of road, turn right onto CR 502
0.7 mi·1 min·High Street
6
Turn straight onto CR 502
0.2 mi·22 sec·Old Hook Road
7
Turn left onto CR 39
1.5 mi·2 min·Schraalenburgh Road
8
Continue on CR 39
3.1 mi·4 min·Washington Avenue
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on CR 39
2.9 mi·5 min·Teaneck Road
10
Turn left onto CR 56
0.4 mi·49 sec·Degraw Avenue
Use the left lane.
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·25 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP SouthUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 95 South: The RidgefieldsUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
1.8 mi·2 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; NJTP
2.6 mi·3 min·New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Toward I 95 South: Turnpike South, Exit 16WUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·43 sec
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
16
Merge onto I 95
7.4 mi·10 min·New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; NJTP
14 mi·17 min·New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit onto Exit 11
1.4 mi·2 min·Exit to GSP and US Route 9
Exit 11Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, WoodbridgeUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge, Perth AmboyUse the slight left lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP Southbound entrance
0.5 mi·1 min·GSP Southbound entrance
Toward GSP South: Garden State ParkwayUse the slight left lane.
21
Merge onto GSP
3.0 mi·3 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi·49 sec·Garden State Parkway
23
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
43 mi·50 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·48 sec
Exit 82Toward NJ 37 East: Seaside Heights, Island Beach State ParkUse the right lane.
25
Merge onto NJ 37
0.3 mi·33 sec·Route 37 West
26
Turn right onto NJ 166
0.7 mi·1 min·North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Turn left
78 ft·5 sec
28
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 43.3 miles from Closter, NJ, or about 1h 3m 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 19 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.3 miles or 1h 3m 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 38m
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 Closter, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Closter, NJ
This is one driving day of about 86.7 miles and 1h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Closter, 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 43.3 mi from Closter, NJ
· 1h 3m into the drive
The midpoint is around 43.3 miles from Closter, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Toms River, NJ
The final approach into Toms River, NJ usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
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...
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
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 26.9
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
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 29.9
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26
0
$9.10
$4.16
Efficient EV
21.7
0
$7.59
$3.47
EV Truck/SUV
34.7
0
$12.14
$5.55
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Closter, NJ
Evening
in Closter on Thursday
Local time
5:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Toms River, NJ
Evening
in Toms River on Thursday
Local time
5:55 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
1 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 54m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Closter, NJ to Toms River, NJ covers 86.7 miles and takes about 1h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur, Washington Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 43.3 miles from Closter, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.37 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.7 miles you will encounter 21 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.8 miles (I 95; NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.6 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.
Between Closter, NJ and Toms River, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp South, Exit 16W, Gsp, Woodbridge, Gsp South and Perth Amboy.
