The drive from Somerset, NJ to Avalon, NJ covers 123.2 miles and takes about 2h 35m 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 18, NJ 34 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 83.3 miles on Garden State Parkway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.43 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
61.6 miles from Somerset, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 21m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 35m. Total distance: 123.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 35m highway drive covering 123.2 miles, with most of the trip on Garden State Parkway and NJ 18. The longest continuous stretch is about 83.3 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 22 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 83.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and NJ 18. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near CR 617 / Franklin Boulevard.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 123.2 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 0.7 miles (CR 617 / Franklin Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 2.6 miles (NJ 18): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.7 mi into trip|~3m in|CR 617 / Franklin Boulevard
At end of road, turn left onto CR 617 / Franklin Boulevard
Navigation decision point
5
2.6 mi into trip|~6m in|NJ 18
Merge onto NJ 18
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
26.4 mi into trip|~37m 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
8
119 mi into trip|~2h 28m in|GSP SB Exit 13
Take the exit onto GSP SB Exit 13 toward Swainton, Avalon
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 13
Toward Swainton, Avalon
6
119.2 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|CR 601 / Avalon Boulevard
Turn left onto CR 601 / Avalon Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Somerset, NJ to Avalon, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Gsp Toll South along the way.
Gsp Toll South
35 mi in|~50m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
83.3 mi
1h 37m
NJ 18
23.8 mi
31m
NJ 34
8.3 mi
11m
Avalon Boulevard
3.4 mi
5m
Franklin Boulevard
0.8 mi
2m
George Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Ocean Drive
0.4 mi
<1m
Belmar Street
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 83.3 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Somerset, NJ and Avalon, NJ.
1
Start on West Point Avenue
0.1 mi·33 sec·West Point Avenue
2
Turn right onto Abbott Road
0.2 mi·44 sec·Abbott Road
3
Turn right onto Belmar Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Belmar Street
4
At end of road, turn left onto CR 617
0.8 mi·2 min·Franklin Boulevard
5
Continue on Landing Lane
0.3 mi·24 sec·Landing Lane
6
Turn right onto (672)
0.5 mi·41 sec·George Street
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward NJ 18 South
8
Merge onto NJ 18
24 mi·31 min·NJ 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·1 min
Exit 19BToward NJ 34 South: Point PleasantUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn straight onto NJ 34
3.1 mi·4 min·NJ 34
11
Take the ramp onto NJ 34
1.2 mi·1 min·NJ 34
12
Enter roundabout onto NJ 34
219 ft·3 sec·NJ 34
13
Continue on NJ 34
3.9 mi·4 min·NJ 34
14
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward GSP Toll South
15
Merge onto GSP
83 mi·1 hr 37 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Take the exit onto GSP SB Exit 13
0.2 mi·30 sec·GSP SB Exit 13
Exit 13Toward Swainton, AvalonUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn left onto CR 601
3.4 mi·5 min·Avalon Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn left onto CR 619; OD
0.4 mi·39 sec·Ocean Drive
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto West 22nd Street
0.1 mi·30 sec·West 22nd Street
20
Turn left onto Dune Drive
332 ft·16 sec·Dune Drive
21
Turn right onto West 21st Street
98 ft·4 sec·West 21st Street
22
Arrive at destination
West 21st Street
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 61.6 miles from Somerset, NJ, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.3 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 27 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.6 miles or 1h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Avalon, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Somerset, 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 Somerset, NJ
This is one driving day of about 123.2 miles and 2h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Somerset, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 83.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 61.6 mi from Somerset, NJ
· 1h 21m into the drive
The midpoint is around 61.6 miles from Somerset, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Garden State Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.3 miles.
Arriving in Avalon, NJ
The final approach into Avalon, 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 Avalon, NJ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
Free
Park Closure: Partial Reopening: Cross Estate Gardens
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...
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...
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37
0
$12.94
$5.91
Efficient EV
30.8
0
$10.78
$4.93
EV Truck/SUV
49.3
0
$17.25
$7.88
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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 15, 2026
Origin
Somerset, NJ
Morning
in Somerset on Friday
Local time
10:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Avalon, NJ
Morning
in Avalon on Friday
Local time
10:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°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
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 35m 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 Somerset, NJ to Avalon, NJ covers 123.2 miles and takes about 2h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, NJ 18, 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 61.6 miles from Somerset, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.43 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 123.2 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 0.7 miles (CR 617 / Franklin Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 2.6 miles (NJ 18): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Somerset, NJ to Avalon, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Gsp Toll South along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
