Origin
Hillsborough, NJ
Late night in Hillsborough on Wednesday
Local time
1:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hillsborough, NJ to Toms River, NJ
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 27m
Distance
60.2 mi
97 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 20m
★
6 AM
1h 27m
8 AM
1h 41m
10 AM
1h 32m
12 PM
1h 30m
3 PM
1h 32m
5 PM
1h 40m
8 PM
1h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hillsborough, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Toms River, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 60.2-mile drive from Hillsborough to Toms River, New Jersey, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 27 minutes. You'll primarily navigate via State Route 18 and the Garden State Parkway, with a portion on NJ 34, making it a highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $10, this route is an economical choice for a quick journey within the Northeast region. The drive is efficient and direct, ideal for those looking to reach their destination without extensive detours. Given its short duration and focused road profile, it's perfect for a spontaneous outing or a planned short 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
30.1 miles from Hillsborough, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 60.2-mile journey, with 76% of the drive utilizing faster roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 22 miles along State Route 18, offering a consistent pace. While the route is largely highway, the transition onto and off of the Garden State Parkway and NJ 34 will present the typical road characteristics associated with these types of thoroughfares. Overall, the drive is designed for efficiency rather than scenic exploration, with a steady rhythm that allows for a straightforward transit.
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.
State Route 18 is the longest continuous segment at about 22 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Route 18 and Garden State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.8 miles in near Burnet Street.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 60.2 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 11.8 miles (Burnet Street): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 34.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
11.8 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
Burnet Street
Turn right onto Burnet Street toward NJ 18 South: Burnet Street, to Route 18 South, NJ Turnpike
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward NJ 18 South: Burnet Street, to Route 18...
5
12.3 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 18 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward NJ 18 South
7
34.9 mi into trip
|
~53m in
Take the exit toward NJ 34 South: Point Pleasant
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 19B
Toward NJ 34 South: Point Pleasant
5
44.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
|
GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
59 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m 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 Hillsborough, NJ and Toms River, NJ, road signs point toward To Route 18 South, Nj Turnpike and Gsp Toll South.
To Route 18 South
11.8 mi in
|
~22m
|
via Burnet Street
Nj Turnpike
11.8 mi in
|
~22m
|
via Burnet Street
Gsp Toll South
43.4 mi in
|
~1h 5m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Route 18 | 22 mi | 28m |
| Garden State Parkway | 14.9 mi | 17m |
| NJ 34 | 8.3 mi | 11m |
| Amwell Road | 5.2 mi | 9m |
| Hamilton Street | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Willow Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| French Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| Somerset Street | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
State Route 18
— 22 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hillsborough, NJ and Toms River, NJ.
1
Start on Willow Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Willow Road
2
Turn right onto CR 514
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Amwell Road
3
Continue on CR 514
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Millstone Bypass
4
Continue on CR 514
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Amwell Road
5
Turn slight right
405 ft
·
19 sec
6
Turn slight right onto CR 514
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Amwell Road
7
Continue on CR 514
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Hamilton Street
8
Turn right onto CR 617
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Franklin Boulevard
9
Turn left onto NJ 27
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Somerset Street
10
Continue on NJ 27
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
French Street
11
Continue on NJ 27; CR 514; CR 527
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Albany Street
12
Turn right onto Burnet Street
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
Burnet Street
Toward NJ 18 South: Burnet Street, to Route 18 South, NJ Turnpike
Use the right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward NJ 18 South
14
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
this road
15
Merge onto NJ 18
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
Memorial Parkway
16
Continue on NJ 18; CR 527
22 mi
·
28 min
·
State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
1 min
Exit 19B
Toward NJ 34 South: Point Pleasant
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn straight onto NJ 34
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
NJ 34
19
Take the ramp onto NJ 34
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
NJ 34
20
Enter roundabout onto NJ 34
219 ft
·
3 sec
·
NJ 34
21
Continue on NJ 34
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
NJ 34
22
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward GSP Toll South
23
Merge onto GSP
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 82
Toward NJ 37 East: Seaside Heights, Island Beach State Park
Use 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
For this short, 1-hour-and-27-minute drive, departing mid-morning on a weekday can help you avoid any potential rush hour congestion, especially as you approach Toms River. Since there are no designated stops in the data, you can easily add brief breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, though the estimated cost is low at $10 for the 60.2 miles. The longest stretch is 22 miles on State Route 18, so plan a quick stop before or after this segment if you prefer not to drive that far without a pause. The flexibility of this shorter route means you can adapt your timing easily.
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 30.1 miles from Hillsborough, NJ, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 22 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 60.2 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 30.1 miles or 46m 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 15m
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 Hillsborough, 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 Hillsborough, NJ
This is one driving day of about 60.2 miles and 1h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hillsborough, 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 State Route 18 for about 22 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 30.1 mi from Hillsborough, NJ · 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
30 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 60.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 30.1 miles from Hillsborough, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.98 one way
$19.96 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $10.93 | $21.86 |
| premium | $4.93 | $11.68 | $23.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.29 | $26.58 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.89
Garden State Parkway
(14.9 mi)
$0.89
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
$10
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.1 | 0 | $6.32 | $2.89 |
| Efficient EV | 15.1 | 0 | $5.27 | $2.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.1 | 0 | $8.43 | $3.85 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Destination
Toms River, NJ
Late night in Toms River on Wednesday
Local time
1:37 AM
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
2 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 27m 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 Hillsborough, NJ to Toms River, NJ covers 60.2 miles and takes about 1h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Route 18, Garden State Parkway, NJ 34. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 30.1 miles from Hillsborough, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.98 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 14 significant decision points across 60.2 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 11.8 miles (Burnet Street): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 34.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Hillsborough, NJ and Toms River, NJ, road signs point toward To Route 18 South, Nj Turnpike and Gsp Toll South.
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