The drive from High Bridge, NJ to Toms River, NJ covers 86.2 miles and takes about 1h 43m 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, I 287, Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 45.4 miles on Garden State Parkway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.29 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
43.1 miles from High Bridge, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 43m. Total distance: 86.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 43m highway drive covering 86.2 miles, with most of the trip on Garden State Parkway and I 287. The longest continuous stretch is about 45.4 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 18 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 45.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and I 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.2 miles in near ramp to I-78/US 22 East.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.2 miles you will encounter 15 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 3.2 miles (ramp to I-78/US 22 East): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.7 miles (Ramp to I-287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
3.2 mi into trip|~4m in|ramp to I-78/US 22 East
Take the exit onto ramp to I-78/US 22 East toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Newark
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Newark
8
15.7 mi into trip|~19m in|Ramp to I-287
Take the exit onto Ramp to I-287 toward I 287: Morristown, Somerville
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 29
Toward I 287: Morristown, Somerville
6
39.2 mi into trip|~47m in
Take the exit toward GSP South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward GSP South
6
42.1 mi into trip|~51m in|GSP / Garden State Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
85 mi into trip|~1h 41m 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 High Bridge, NJ and Toms River, NJ, road signs point toward Somerville and Gsp South.
Somerville
15.7 mi in|~19m|via Ramp to I-287
Gsp South
39.2 mi in|~47m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
45.4 mi
53m
I 287
20.5 mi
23m
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
12.2 mi
14m
Route 31 (CR 513)
2 mi
2m
NJ 440
1.8 mi
2m
West Main Street
1.1 mi
1m
North Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
Ramp to I-287
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 45.4 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between High Bridge, NJ and Toms River, NJ.
1
Start on CR 513
335 ft·10 sec·Bridge Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto CR 513
1.1 mi·1 min·West Main Street
3
Turn left onto NJ 31; CR 513
2.0 mi·2 min·Route 31 (CR 513)
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Take the exit onto ramp to I-78/US 22 East
0.3 mi·36 sec·ramp to I-78/US 22 East
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Newark
5
Merge onto I 78; US 22
12 mi·14 min·Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
6
Take the exit onto Ramp to I-287
0.5 mi·35 sec·Ramp to I-287
Exit 29Toward I 287: Morristown, SomervilleUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi·54 sec
Toward I 287 South: Somerville
8
Merge onto I 287
20 mi·23 min·I 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on NJ 440
1.8 mi·2 min·NJ 440
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward GSP SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto GSP
1.7 mi·2 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi·49 sec·Garden State Parkway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
43 mi·50 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·48 sec
Exit 82Toward NJ 37 East: Seaside Heights, Island Beach State ParkUse the right lane.
15
Merge onto NJ 37
0.3 mi·33 sec·Route 37 West
16
Turn right onto NJ 166
0.7 mi·1 min·North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left
78 ft·5 sec
18
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 43.1 miles from High Bridge, NJ, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.4 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 19 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.1 miles or 52m 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 High Bridge, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from High Bridge, NJ
This is one driving day of about 86.2 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from High Bridge, 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 45.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 43.1 mi from High Bridge, NJ
· 52m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 14.9
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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 53.6
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...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
$10
near mile 38.7
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...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 32.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.29 one way
$28.58 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$15.65
$31.30
premium
$4.93
$16.72
$33.43
diesel
$5.61
$19.03
$38.06
Estimated Tolls: $2.72
Garden State Parkway
(45.4 mi)$2.72
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
$14
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.9
0
$9.05
$4.14
Efficient EV
21.6
0
$7.54
$3.45
EV Truck/SUV
34.5
0
$12.07
$5.52
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 16, 2026
Origin
High Bridge, NJ
Late night
in High Bridge on Friday
Local time
3:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Toms River, NJ
Late night
in Toms River on Friday
Local time
3:32 AM
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 43m 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 High Bridge, NJ to Toms River, NJ covers 86.2 miles and takes about 1h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, I 287, Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 43.1 miles from High Bridge, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.29 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 86.2 miles you will encounter 15 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 3.2 miles (ramp to I-78/US 22 East): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.7 miles (Ramp to I-287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between High Bridge, NJ and Toms River, NJ, road signs point toward Somerville and Gsp South.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Morristown National Historical Park, Gateway National Recreation Area and Thomas Edison National Historical Park. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
Data sources
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the
methodology page.
