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Trip from Pine Beach, NJ to Somerset, NJ

Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology

Drive Time

1h 14m

Distance

55 mi

88 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$9

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 18 min
4 AM
1h 9m ★
6 AM
1h 15m
8 AM
1h 27m
10 AM
1h 19m
12 PM
1h 18m
3 PM
1h 20m
5 PM
1h 26m
8 PM
1h 11m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Pine Beach, NJ, NJ

Pine Beach, NJ

정규송 Nui MALAMA

community in Franklin Township, New Jersey, United States

Somerset, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 55-mile drive from Pine Beach to Somerset, New Jersey, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 14 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion, with no need to break it up. The route is primarily highway-focused, making up 87% of the journey, and you can expect a fuel cost of around $9. The drive stays within the Northeast region, offering a consistent experience as you travel from the Jersey Shore area towards central New Jersey. This is a practical option for a quick transit between these two points.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 14m. Total distance: 55 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 55-mile journey, with 87% of the route on faster roads. The main thoroughfares guiding you are NJ 18, the Garden State Parkway, and NJ 34. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch on NJ 18, spanning 22.2 miles. This profile suggests a relatively smooth and efficient travel experience, with minimal exposure to slower, local traffic. The character remains consistent, prioritizing speed and directness over varied scenery.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
NJ 18 is the longest continuous segment at about 22.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NJ 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 18.6 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 55 miles you will encounter 20 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 18.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

8
18.6 mi into trip | ~24m in

Take the exit toward NJ 138 East, I 195 West, NJ 34: Belmar, Trenton

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 98 Toward NJ 138 East, I 195 West, NJ 34: Belmar,...
6
18.9 mi into trip | ~25m in

Keep slight left at fork toward GSP North, I 195 West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward GSP North, I 195 West
8
19.2 mi into trip | ~26m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 195 West: Trenton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward I 195 West: Trenton
8
19.7 mi into trip | ~26m in

Take the exit toward NJ 34 North: Matawan

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 35B Toward NJ 34 North: Matawan
7
52.4 mi into trip | ~1h 7m in

Take the exit toward Easton Avenue, So Bound Brook

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward Easton Avenue, So Bound Brook

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Pine Beach, NJ and Somerset, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp Toll North: Lakewood, New York, Woodbridge, Trenton and Gsp North.

Gsp Toll North: Lakewood

3.1 mi in | ~6m

New York

3.1 mi in | ~6m

Woodbridge

3.1 mi in | ~6m

Trenton

18.6 mi in | ~24m

Gsp North

18.9 mi in | ~25m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
NJ 18 22.2 mi 26m
Garden State Parkway 15 mi 17m
NJ 34 7 mi 9m
Memorial Parkway 1.9 mi 2m
NJ 33 1.1 mi 1m
Franklin Boulevard 0.8 mi 2m
North Main Street 0.8 mi 1m
Atlantic City Boulevard 0.7 mi 1m
Longest stretch: NJ 18 — 22.2 mi, about 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pine Beach, NJ and Somerset, NJ.

1

Start on CR 617

0.4 mi · 47 sec · Springfield Avenue
2

Continue on CR 617

0.4 mi · 37 sec · Bayside Avenue
3

Continue on CR 617

0.1 mi · 13 sec · Club House Road
4

Continue on CR 617

501 ft · 10 sec · Club House Drive
5

Continue on CR 617

0.3 mi · 44 sec · Compass Avenue
6

Turn left onto CR 617

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Starboard Street
7

At end of road, turn right onto NJ 166

0.5 mi · 1 min · Atlantic City Boulevard
8

Keep slight right at fork onto NJ 166

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Atlantic City Boulevard
9

Continue on NJ 166

0.8 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
10

Turn left onto NJ 37

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Route 37 West
11

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 47 sec
Toward US 9 Toll North, GSP Toll North: Lakewood, New York, Woodbridge
12

Merge onto GSP; US 9

15 mi · 17 min · Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Exit 98 Toward NJ 138 East, I 195 West, NJ 34: Belmar, Trenton Use the slight right lane.
14

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Toward GSP North, I 195 West
15

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Toward I 195 West: Trenton Use the right lane.
16

Merge onto NJ 138

0.2 mi · 16 sec · NJ 138
17

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 36 sec
Exit 35B Toward NJ 34 North: Matawan Use the slight right lane.
18

Merge onto NJ 34

3.4 mi · 4 min · NJ 34
19

Enter roundabout onto NJ 33; NJ 34

451 ft · 6 sec · NJ 33; NJ 34
20

Continue on NJ 33; NJ 34

1.0 mi · 1 min · NJ 33; NJ 34
21

Take the exit onto NJ 34

3.6 mi · 5 min · NJ 34
Use the straight lane.
22

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick
23

Merge onto NJ 18

22 mi · 26 min · NJ 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Continue on NJ 18

1.9 mi · 2 min · Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward Easton Avenue, So Bound Brook Use the slight right lane.
26

Turn straight onto (672)

0.2 mi · 18 sec · George Street
27

Turn left onto CR 609

0.3 mi · 26 sec · Landing Lane
28

Continue on CR 617

0.8 mi · 2 min · Franklin Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
29

Turn right onto Belmar Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Belmar Street
30

At end of road, turn left onto Abbott Road

0.2 mi · 47 sec · Abbott Road
31

Turn left onto West Point Avenue

0.1 mi · 31 sec · West Point Avenue
32

Arrive at destination

West Point Avenue

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 27.5 mi from Pine Beach, NJ · 37m into the drive

Downtown Colts Neck, NJ, NJ

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Colts Neck, NJ

28 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

Brick, NJ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Colts Neck, NJ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 27.5 miles from Pine Beach, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Somerset, NJ

The final approach into Somerset, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$9.12 one way

$18.24 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 19 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $9.99 $19.97
premium $4.93 $10.67 $21.33
diesel $5.61 $12.14 $24.29

Estimated Tolls: $0.90

Garden State Parkway (15 mi) $0.90

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$9

Tolls

$1

Total

$10

Estimated CO2 emission: 19.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 16.5 0 $5.77 $2.64
Efficient EV 13.8 0 $4.81 $2.20
EV Truck/SUV 22 0 $7.70 $3.52

Gas CO2

19 kg

EV CO2

6 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Pine Beach, NJ

Late night in Pine Beach on Friday

Local time

3:02 AM

EDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Somerset, NJ

Late night in Somerset on Friday

Local time

3:02 AM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

16 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 14m 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 Pine Beach, NJ to Somerset, NJ covers 55 miles and takes about 1h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are NJ 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 27.5 miles from Pine Beach, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.12 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 55 miles you will encounter 20 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 18.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Between Pine Beach, NJ and Somerset, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp Toll North: Lakewood, New York, Woodbridge, Trenton and Gsp North.

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. Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the methodology page.

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