Origin
Surf City, NJ
Evening in Surf City on Tuesday
Local time
7:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Surf City, NJ to Somerset, NJ
Data updated 2 hours ago
Drive Time
1h 43m
Distance
77.9 mi
125 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 35m
★
6 AM
1h 43m
8 AM
1h 58m
10 AM
1h 48m
12 PM
1h 47m
3 PM
1h 49m
5 PM
1h 58m
8 PM
1h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Surf City, NJ
Jimmy Boos
Somerset, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 77.9-mile drive from Surf City, NJ, to Somerset, NJ, is easily managed in about 1 hour and 43 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day trip, with a projected fuel cost of around $13. You'll primarily be on the Garden State Parkway, NJ 18, and NJ 34, making it a highly highway-focused journey. The entire route stays within New Jersey, so you're not crossing regional lines, but you'll experience a shift from coastal proximity to a more central New Jersey landscape. This drive offers a practical and efficient way to travel between these two points.
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
39 miles from Surf City, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-centric experience on this route, with 84% of the drive taking place on faster roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 33.2 miles along the Garden State Parkway. While primarily a highway drive, you'll transition onto NJ 18 and NJ 34 as you move inland. This means you'll have periods of higher speed driving interspersed with more typical highway travel as you make your way towards Somerset. It's designed for efficient travel rather than leisurely sightseeing.
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.
Garden State Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 33.2 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 0.1 miles in near CR 89 / North Central Avenue.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 77.9 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 0.1 miles (CR 89 / North Central Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 41.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CR 89 / North Central Avenue
Turn left onto CR 89 / North Central Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
8
41.5 mi into trip
|
~52m 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,...
8
42.2 mi into trip
|
~54m 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
42.7 mi into trip
|
~55m 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
75.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m 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 Surf City, NJ and Somerset, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp Toll North, Gsp North and Trenton.
Gsp Toll North
7.9 mi in
|
~12m
Gsp North
8.1 mi in
|
~13m
|
via GSP Northbound entrance ramp
Trenton
41.5 mi in
|
~52m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 33.2 mi | 39m |
| NJ 18 | 22.2 mi | 26m |
| NJ 34 | 7 mi | 9m |
| Manahawkin Bay Bridge | 6.4 mi | 9m |
| Memorial Parkway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| NJ 33 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| North Central Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| Franklin Boulevard | 0.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 33.2 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Surf City, NJ and Somerset, NJ.
1
Start on North 12th Street
498 ft
·
26 sec
·
North 12th Street
2
Turn left onto CR 89
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Central Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
3
Turn right onto NJ 72
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
West 8th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on NJ 72
154 ft
·
3 sec
·
West 8th Street
Toward Manahawkin
5
Continue on NJ 72
6.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Manahawkin Bay Bridge
Toward Manahawkin
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Toward GSP Toll North
Use the right lane.
7
Continue on GSP Northbound entrance ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
GSP Northbound entrance ramp
Toward GSP North
8
Merge onto GSP
33 mi
·
39 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
9
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.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward GSP North, I 195 West
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward I 195 West: Trenton
Use the right lane.
12
Merge onto NJ 138
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
NJ 138
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 35B
Toward NJ 34 North: Matawan
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto NJ 34
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
NJ 34
15
Enter roundabout onto NJ 33; NJ 34
451 ft
·
6 sec
·
NJ 33; NJ 34
16
Continue on NJ 33; NJ 34
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
NJ 33; NJ 34
17
Take the exit onto NJ 34
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
NJ 34
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick
19
Merge onto NJ 18
22 mi
·
26 min
·
NJ 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on NJ 18
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward Easton Avenue, So Bound Brook
Use the slight right lane.
22
Turn straight onto (672)
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
George Street
23
Turn left onto CR 609
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
Landing Lane
24
Continue on CR 617
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Franklin Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn right onto Belmar Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Belmar Street
26
At end of road, turn left onto Abbott Road
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
·
Abbott Road
27
Turn left onto West Point Avenue
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
West Point Avenue
28
Arrive at destination
West Point Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 1 hour and 43-minute duration, this trip is best tackled in one go. Leaving in the morning, before heavier traffic builds up, is a good strategy. With no specific stops recommended, you can be flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 33.2-mile stretch on the Garden State Parkway, and plan your refueling accordingly. The $13 fuel cost estimate is a helpful budget point, but always factor in potential price fluctuations. This is a drive where you can easily adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule.
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 39 miles from Surf City, NJ, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.2 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 77.9 miles or 1h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39 miles or 49m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Somerset, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Surf City, 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 Surf City, NJ
This is one driving day of about 77.9 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Surf City, 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 33.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39 mi from Surf City, NJ · 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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 77.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39 miles from Surf City, 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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Somerset, 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
$12.91 one way
$25.83 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $14.14 | $28.29 |
| premium | $4.93 | $15.11 | $30.22 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.20 | $34.40 |
Estimated Tolls: $8.99
Bay Bridge
$7.00
Garden State Parkway
(33.2 mi)
$1.99
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
$13
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.4 | 0 | $8.18 | $3.74 |
| Efficient EV | 19.5 | 0 | $6.82 | $3.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.2 | 0 | $10.91 | $4.99 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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
Somerset, NJ
Evening in Somerset on Tuesday
Local time
7:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°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
8 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
1h 43m 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 Surf City, NJ to Somerset, NJ covers 77.9 miles and takes about 1h 43m 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 39 miles from Surf City, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.91 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 19 significant decision points across 77.9 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 0.1 miles (CR 89 / North Central Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 41.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Surf City, NJ and Somerset, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp Toll North, Gsp North and Trenton.
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