Origin
Pompton Lakes, NJ
Morning in Pompton Lakes on Wednesday
Local time
6:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pompton Lakes, NJ to Toms River, NJ
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 51m
Distance
87.6 mi
141 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 43m
★
6 AM
1h 51m
8 AM
2h 8m
10 AM
1h 57m
12 PM
1h 55m
3 PM
1h 58m
5 PM
2h 7m
8 PM
1h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pompton Lakes, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Toms River, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Pompton Lakes, NJ to Toms River, NJ covers 87.6 miles and takes about 1h 51m 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, NJ 23, Garden State Parkway Southbound for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 65.5 miles on Garden State Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.52 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.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
43.8 miles from Pompton Lakes, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 1h 51m highway drive covering 87.6 miles, with most of the trip on Garden State Parkway and NJ 23. The longest continuous stretch is about 65.5 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 23 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 65.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and NJ 23. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in near CR 511 ALT / Newark-Pompton Turnpike.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 87.6 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 1.3 miles (CR 511 ALT / Newark-Pompton Turnpike): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles (NJ 23): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.4 miles (ramp to GSP Southbound): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1.3 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
CR 511 ALT / Newark-Pompton Turnpike
Turn left onto CR 511 ALT / Newark-Pompton Turnpike
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
2.8 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
NJ 23
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 23
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
14.4 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
ramp to GSP Southbound
Take the exit onto ramp to GSP Southbound toward GSP Toll South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward GSP Toll South
6
43.4 mi into trip
|
~58m 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
86.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m 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 Pompton Lakes, NJ and Toms River, NJ, road signs point toward Clifton and Gsp Toll South.
Clifton
9 mi in
|
~12m
Gsp Toll South
14.4 mi in
|
~18m
|
via ramp to GSP Southbound
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 65.5 mi | 1h 21m |
| NJ 23 | 6.8 mi | 8m |
| Garden State Parkway Southbound | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| US 46 | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| NJ 3 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Newark-Pompton Turnpike | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Paterson-Hamburg Turnpike | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| North Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 65.5 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pompton Lakes, NJ and Toms River, NJ.
1
Start on this road
39 ft
·
8 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Lakeside Avenue
83 ft
·
4 sec
·
Lakeside Avenue
3
Turn sharp left onto CR 684
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Wanaque Avenue
4
Keep slight right at fork onto CR 684
231 ft
·
3 sec
·
Wanaque Avenue
5
Turn slight right onto CR 689
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Paterson-Hamburg Turnpike
6
Turn left onto CR 511 ALT
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Newark-Pompton Turnpike
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on NJ 23; CR 511 Alternate
0.6 mi
·
46 sec
·
NJ 23; CR 511 Alternate
8
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 23
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
NJ 23
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
297 ft
·
7 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 46 East: New York, Clifton
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward US 46 East: Clifton
11
Merge onto US 46
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
US 46
12
Continue on US 46
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 46
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn slight left onto NJ 3
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto ramp to GSP Southbound
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
ramp to GSP Southbound
Toward GSP Toll South
Use the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto GSP
22 mi
·
30 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on Garden State Parkway
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Garden State Parkway Southbound
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
Garden State Parkway
18
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
43 mi
·
50 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 82
Toward NJ 37 East: Seaside Heights, Island Beach State Park
Use the right lane.
20
Merge onto NJ 37
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Route 37 West
21
Turn right onto NJ 166
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Turn left
78 ft
·
5 sec
23
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 43.8 miles from Pompton Lakes, NJ, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.5 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 80 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.8 miles or 59m 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 34m
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 Pompton Lakes, 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 Pompton Lakes, NJ
This is one driving day of about 87.6 miles and 1h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pompton Lakes, 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 65.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 43.8 mi from Pompton Lakes, NJ · 59m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
44 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 43.8 miles from Pompton Lakes, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Garden State Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65.5 miles.
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
$14.52 one way
$29.05 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $15.91 | $31.81 |
| premium | $4.93 | $16.99 | $33.98 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.34 | $38.68 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.43
Garden State Parkway
(71.6 mi)
$4.30
Newark-Pompton Turnpike
(0.9 mi)
$0.07
Paterson-Hamburg Turnpike
(0.8 mi)
$0.06
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
$15
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.3 | 0 | $9.20 | $4.20 |
| Efficient EV | 21.9 | 0 | $7.66 | $3.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35 | 0 | $12.26 | $5.61 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Toms River, NJ
Morning in Toms River on Wednesday
Local time
6:32 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
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
1h 51m 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 Pompton Lakes, NJ to Toms River, NJ covers 87.6 miles and takes about 1h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, NJ 23, Garden State Parkway Southbound. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 43.8 miles from Pompton Lakes, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.52 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 17 significant decision points across 87.6 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 1.3 miles (CR 511 ALT / Newark-Pompton Turnpike): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles (NJ 23): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.4 miles (ramp to GSP Southbound): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Pompton Lakes, NJ and Toms River, NJ, road signs point toward Clifton and Gsp Toll South.
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