Origin
Toms River, NJ
Afternoon in Toms River on Friday
Local time
2:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Toms River, NJ to Metuchen, NJ
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 6m
Distance
52.2 mi
84 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 1m
★
6 AM
1h 6m
8 AM
1h 17m
10 AM
1h 10m
12 PM
1h 9m
3 PM
1h 11m
5 PM
1h 16m
8 PM
1h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Toms River, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Metuchen, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Toms River, NJ to Metuchen, NJ covers 52.2 miles and takes about 1h 6m 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, I 287, NJ 440 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 44.6 miles on Garden State Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.65 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 6m. Total distance: 52.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 6m highway drive covering 52.2 miles, with most of the trip on Garden State Parkway and I 287. The longest continuous stretch is about 44.6 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 19 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 44.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and I 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 45.1 miles in near GSP / Garden State Parkway.
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 52.2 miles you will encounter 13 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 45.1 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
45.1 mi into trip
|
~54m in
|
GSP / Garden State Parkway
Take the exit onto GSP / Garden State Parkway toward GSP North, US 9 North, NJ 440: Woodbridge, Staten Island
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 127
Toward GSP North, US 9 North, NJ 440: Woodbridg...
9
46.3 mi into trip
|
~56m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 9 North, I 287, NJ 440: Woodbridge, Staten Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 127
Toward US 9 North, I 287, NJ 440: Woodbridge, S...
9
46.6 mi into trip
|
~56m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 440: Raritan Center, Perth Amboy, Staten Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward NJ 440: Raritan Center, Perth Amboy, Sta...
7
46.7 mi into trip
|
~56m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 440 South: Raritan Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 440 South: Raritan Center
7
51 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
Take the exit toward NJ 27 North: Metuchen
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 2A
Toward NJ 27 North: Metuchen
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Toms River, NJ and Metuchen, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp North, Staten Island and Perth Amboy.
Gsp North
45.1 mi in
|
~54m
|
via GSP
Staten Island
45.1 mi in
|
~54m
|
via GSP
Perth Amboy
46.6 mi in
|
~56m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 44.6 mi | 53m |
| I 287 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| NJ 440 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Middlesex Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| North Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Route 37 West | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Bridge Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Lincoln Highway | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 44.6 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Toms River, NJ and Metuchen, NJ.
1
Start on this road
78 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto NJ 166
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
3
Turn left onto NJ 37
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Route 37 West
4
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
Toward US 9 Toll North, GSP Toll North: Lakewood, New York, Woodbridge
5
Merge onto GSP; US 9
21 mi
·
24 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
31 sec
7
Continue on GSP
22 mi
·
26 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto GSP
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Exit 127
Toward GSP North, US 9 North, NJ 440: Woodbridge, Staten Island
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 127
Toward US 9 North, I 287, NJ 440: Woodbridge, Staten Island
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward NJ 440: Raritan Center, Perth Amboy, Staten Island
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Toward NJ 440 South: Raritan Center
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward NJ 440
13
Merge onto NJ 440
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
NJ 440
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 287
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 287
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 2A
Toward NJ 27 North: Metuchen
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn slight right onto NJ 27
368 ft
·
11 sec
·
Lincoln Highway
17
Turn left onto CR 669
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Bridge Street
18
Turn right onto CR 669
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Middlesex Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
NJ 27
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.1 mi from Toms River, NJ · 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26.1 miles from Toms River, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Metuchen, NJ
The final approach into Metuchen, 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
$8.65 one way
$17.31 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $9.48 | $18.96 |
| premium | $4.93 | $10.12 | $20.25 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.53 | $23.05 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.67
Garden State Parkway
(44.6 mi)
$2.67
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Tolls
$3
Total
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.7 | 0 | $5.48 | $2.51 |
| Efficient EV | 13.1 | 0 | $4.57 | $2.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.9 | 0 | $7.31 | $3.34 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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
Metuchen, NJ
Afternoon in Metuchen on Friday
Local time
2:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°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
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 6m 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 Toms River, NJ to Metuchen, NJ covers 52.2 miles and takes about 1h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, I 287, NJ 440. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 26.1 miles from Toms River, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.65 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 52.2 miles you will encounter 13 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 45.1 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Toms River, NJ and Metuchen, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp North, Staten Island and Perth Amboy.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Gateway National Recreation Area, Morristown National Historical Park and Thomas Edison National Historical Park. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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