Origin
Matawan, NJ
Night in Matawan on Sunday
Local time
9:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Matawan, NJ to Toms River, NJ
Drive Time
49m
Distance
39.5 mi
64 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 45m
★
6 AM
0h 49m
8 AM
0h 57m
10 AM
0h 52m
12 PM
0h 51m
3 PM
0h 52m
5 PM
0h 57m
8 PM
0h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Matawan, NJ
Garrison Gao
Toms River, NJ
Aisling Kerr
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick transition from Matawan to Toms River, this 39.5-mile journey is a straightforward commute that fits easily into a single day. You can expect to spend about 49 minutes behind the wheel, making it an efficient trip that requires no overnight stops. Budgeting approximately $7 for fuel will cover your transit across the Northeast region of New Jersey. Because the route is short and highly accessible, you have the flexibility to head out whenever it suits your schedule. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that connects two points in the same state without the need for extensive planning.
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
19.7 miles from Matawan, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 25m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 92% of this trip is spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the Garden State Parkway, which accounts for a 36-mile uninterrupted stretch of your travel. The transition from the Parkway onto North Main Street and Main Street marks the final phase of your arrival in Toms River. While the route is dominated by high-speed interstate driving, the brief shift to local streets toward the end provides a clear change in pace. It is a functional, efficient drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 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 36 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and North Main Street. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Jackson Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 39.5 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (Jackson Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (CR 3 / Lloyd Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Jackson Street
Turn left onto Jackson Street
Navigation decision point
5
1.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
CR 3 / Lloyd Road
Turn right onto CR 3 / Lloyd Road
Navigation decision point
5
2.3 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
38.2 mi into trip
|
~46m 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...
5
38.8 mi into trip
|
~47m in
|
NJ 166 / North Main Street
Turn right onto NJ 166 / North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 36 mi | 41m |
| North Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Lower Main Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Route 37 West | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Gerard Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Lloyd Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Ravine Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 36 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Matawan, NJ and Toms River, NJ.
1
Start on Little Street
238 ft
·
15 sec
·
Little Street
2
Turn left onto Jackson Street
139 ft
·
10 sec
·
Jackson Street
3
Turn left onto CR 6A
266 ft
·
13 sec
·
Ravine Drive
4
Turn left onto CR 516
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
Main Street
5
Continue on CR 516
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
Lower Main Street
6
Turn right onto Gerard Avenue
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
Gerard Avenue
7
Turn right onto CR 3
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Lloyd Road
8
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward GSP Toll South
9
Merge onto GSP
36 mi
·
41 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the none lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 82
Toward NJ 37 East: Seaside Heights, Island Beach State Park
Use the right lane.
11
Merge onto NJ 37
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Route 37 West
12
Turn right onto NJ 166
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn left
78 ft
·
5 sec
14
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this drive takes less than an hour, you have the luxury of avoiding complex pacing strategies or mandatory rest stops. To make the most of your trip, try to time your departure to avoid peak commuting hours on the Garden State Parkway, which can become quite busy. You will find that the $7 fuel estimate is modest, allowing you to focus your budget on your destination rather than transit costs. Because there are no scheduled stops required for a 39.5-mile trip, keep your eyes on the road and enjoy the simplicity of the transit. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert for your transition off the Parkway, as the exit to North Main Street serves as your primary gateway into the heart of Toms River.
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 19.7 miles from Matawan, NJ, or about 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36 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 39.5 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 19.7 miles or 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 41m
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 Matawan, 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 Matawan, NJ
This is one driving day of about 39.5 miles and 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Matawan, 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 36 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 19.7 mi from Matawan, NJ · 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
20 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 39.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 19.7 miles from Matawan, 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
$6.54 one way
$13.07 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $7.15 | $14.30 |
| premium | $4.92 | $7.65 | $15.31 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $8.78 | $17.55 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.16
Garden State Parkway
(36 mi)
$2.16
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
$7
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.9 | 0 | $4.15 | $1.90 |
| Efficient EV | 9.9 | 0 | $3.46 | $1.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.8 | 0 | $5.53 | $2.53 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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
Night in Toms River on Sunday
Local time
9:33 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
1 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
49m 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 Matawan, NJ to Toms River, NJ covers 39.5 miles and takes about 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, North Main Street, Main Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 19.7 miles from Matawan, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.54 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 39.5 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (Jackson Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (CR 3 / Lloyd Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Matawan, NJ to Toms River, NJ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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