This straightforward 79.2-mile drive from Fort Lee, NJ, to Toms River, NJ, is easily manageable as a day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 42 minutes. The primary route utilizes the Garden State Parkway, with a brief transition via the New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur and an exit for GSP and US Route 9. With a fuel cost estimated at $13, this highway-focused journey through the Northeast region is efficient and direct. Given its short duration and lack of designated stops, you'll find ample flexibility in your schedule for this trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
39.6 miles from Fort Lee, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 92% of the drive on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 46.7 miles on the Garden State Parkway, offering a consistent pace. While the majority of the trip involves this steady highway travel, be aware of the brief section on the New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur and the specific exit procedures for rejoining the Garden State Parkway and US Route 9. This character means you'll be covering ground efficiently with minimal slowdowns.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 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 3.3 miles in.
Route Complexity10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 79.2 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 3.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
3.3 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, I 80 West: NJ Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 95 South, I 80 West: NJ Turnpike
8
3.4 mi into trip|~6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Newark
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Newark
8
4.3 mi into trip|~8m 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 right lane.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
8
29.2 mi into trip|~40m 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
30.6 mi into trip|~43m 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...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fort Lee, NJ and Toms River, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp South: Trenton, Gsp, Woodbridge, Gsp South and Perth Amboy.
Njtp South: Trenton
4.3 mi in|~8m
Gsp
29.2 mi in|~40m|via Exit 11
Woodbridge
29.2 mi in|~40m|via Exit 11
Gsp South
30.6 mi in|~43m
Perth Amboy
30.6 mi in|~43m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
46.7 mi
54m
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
23.7 mi
30m
Exit to GSP and US Route 9
1.4 mi
2m
Central Boulevard
0.9 mi
1m
US 1
0.9 mi
1m
North Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
Palisade Avenue
0.6 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 Fort Lee, NJ and Toms River, NJ.
1
Start on NJ 67
0.4 mi·37 sec·Lemoine Avenue
2
Continue on NJ 67
0.6 mi·1 min·Palisade Avenue
3
Turn slight right onto Central Boulevard
0.9 mi·1 min·Central Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left onto 5th Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·5th Street
5
Take the ramp
494 ft·12 sec
Toward US 46 West
6
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.9 mi·1 min·US 1; US 9; US 46
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 95 South, I 80 West: NJ Turnpike, Teaneck RoadUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
340 ft·8 sec
Toward I 95 South, I 80 West: NJ TurnpikeUse the slight left lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·2 min
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: NewarkUse the straight lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·49 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: TrentonUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
2.0 mi·2 min·New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·43 sec
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
13
Merge onto I 95
7.4 mi·10 min·New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
14
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.
15
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.
16
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.
17
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.
18
Merge onto GSP
3.0 mi·3 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi·49 sec·Garden State Parkway
20
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
43 mi·50 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·48 sec
Exit 82Toward NJ 37 East: Seaside Heights, Island Beach State ParkUse the right lane.
22
Merge onto NJ 37
0.3 mi·33 sec·Route 37 West
23
Turn right onto NJ 166
0.7 mi·1 min·North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Turn left
78 ft·5 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 1 hour and 42-minute drive, you have the advantage of flexibility. Leaving during off-peak hours, perhaps mid-morning or early afternoon, can help you avoid potential congestion on the New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur. Since there are no recommended stops, plan for any necessary breaks before you depart or once you arrive in Toms River. Keep an eye on your fuel level, as the estimated cost is $13, and ensure you have enough for the entire 79.2-mile journey. A specific tip: pay close attention to the signage for the exit from the Turnpike Western Spur to the Garden State Parkway and US Route 9 to ensure a smooth transition.
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 39.6 miles from Fort Lee, NJ, or about 55m 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 79.2 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.6 miles or 55m 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 27m
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 Fort Lee, 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 Fort Lee, NJ
This is one driving day of about 79.2 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fort Lee, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
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 39.6 mi from Fort Lee, NJ
· 55m into the drive
The midpoint is around 39.6 miles from Fort Lee, 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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Toms River, NJ.
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...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 8.2
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...
15 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 19.1
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 21.9
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.8
0
$8.32
$3.80
Efficient EV
19.8
0
$6.93
$3.17
EV Truck/SUV
31.7
0
$11.09
$5.07
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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 data refreshed 3 hours ago
Origin
Fort Lee, NJ
Evening
in Fort Lee on Tuesday
Local time
8:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 14 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Toms River, NJ
Evening
in Toms River on Tuesday
Local time
8:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°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
29 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 42m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fort Lee, NJ to Toms River, NJ covers 79.2 miles and takes about 1h 42m 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, Exit to GSP and US Route 9. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 39.6 miles from Fort Lee, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.13 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 is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 79.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Fort Lee, NJ and Toms River, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp South: Trenton, Gsp, Woodbridge, Gsp South and Perth Amboy.
