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Trip from West Caldwell, NJ to Toms River, NJ

Data updated 1 hour ago

Drive Time

1h 38m

Distance

76.7 mi

123 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
1h 31m ★
6 AM
1h 38m
8 AM
1h 53m
10 AM
1h 44m
12 PM
1h 42m
3 PM
1h 44m
5 PM
1h 53m
8 PM
1h 34m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States

West Caldwell, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

township in Ocean County, New Jersey

Toms River, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from West Caldwell, NJ to Toms River, NJ covers 76.7 miles and takes about 1h 38m 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, Essex Freeway, Garden State Parkway Southbound for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 57 miles on Garden State Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.72 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

38.3 miles from West Caldwell, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

This is a 1h 38m highway drive covering 76.7 miles, with most of the trip on Garden State Parkway and Essex Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 57 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 57 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Essex Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near CR 611 / Eagle Rock Avenue.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 76.7 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 1.9 miles (CR 611 / Eagle Rock Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 9.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.8 miles (Oraton Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

5
1.9 mi into trip | ~3m in | CR 611 / Eagle Rock Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto CR 611 / Eagle Rock Avenue

Navigation decision point

8
9.6 mi into trip | ~13m in

Take the exit toward Harrison Street, Clinton Street, East Orange

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 11A Toward Harrison Street, Clinton Street, East Or...
6
11.8 mi into trip | ~17m in | Oraton Parkway

Keep slight right at fork onto Oraton Parkway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
32.5 mi into trip | ~45m 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
75.4 mi into trip | ~1h 35m 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 West Caldwell, NJ and Toms River, NJ, road signs point toward Orange and Gsp Toll South.

Orange

9.6 mi in | ~13m

Gsp Toll South

12.1 mi in | ~18m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Garden State Parkway 57 mi 1h 9m
Essex Freeway 6.9 mi 8m
Garden State Parkway Southbound 6.2 mi 8m
Passaic Avenue 1.9 mi 3m
Freeway Drive East 0.8 mi 1m
North Main Street 0.7 mi 1m
Oraton Parkway 0.4 mi <1m
South Oraton Parkway 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Garden State Parkway — 57 mi, about 1h 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between West Caldwell, NJ and Toms River, NJ.

1

Start on CR 613

1.9 mi · 3 min · Passaic Avenue
2

At end of road, turn right onto CR 611

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Eagle Rock Avenue
3

Turn right onto CR 609

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Eisenhower Parkway
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 280 East
5

Merge onto I 280

6.9 mi · 8 min · Essex Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Exit 11A Toward Harrison Street, Clinton Street, East Orange Use the slight right lane.
7

Turn straight onto Freeway Drive East

0.8 mi · 1 min · Freeway Drive East
8

Turn right onto South Oraton Parkway

0.4 mi · 42 sec · South Oraton Parkway
9

Continue on Whittlesey Avenue

0.4 mi · 38 sec · Whittlesey Avenue
10

Turn straight onto Maybaum Avenue

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Maybaum Avenue
11

Continue on Oraton Parkway

0.1 mi · 13 sec · Oraton Parkway
Use the straight lane.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto Oraton Parkway

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Oraton Parkway
Use the straight lane.
13

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward GSP Toll South
14

Merge onto GSP

13 mi · 18 min · Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on Garden State Parkway

6.2 mi · 8 min · Garden State Parkway Southbound
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork onto GSP

0.7 mi · 49 sec · Garden State Parkway
17

Keep slight right at fork onto GSP

43 mi · 50 min · Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 48 sec
Exit 82 Toward NJ 37 East: Seaside Heights, Island Beach State Park Use the right lane.
19

Merge onto NJ 37

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Route 37 West
20

Turn right onto NJ 166

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
21

Turn left

78 ft · 5 sec
22

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 38.3 miles from West Caldwell, NJ, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57 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 76.7 miles or 1h 38m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 38.3 miles or 52m 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 23m

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 West Caldwell, 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 West Caldwell, NJ

This is one driving day of about 76.7 miles and 1h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from West Caldwell, 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 57 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 38.3 mi from West Caldwell, NJ · 52m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

38 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

Staten Island, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 76.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 38.3 miles from West Caldwell, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Thomas Edison National Historical Park

Thomas Edison National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

0 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 near mile 7.9
Park Closure: Glenmont Mansion and Grounds Closed
View on nps.gov
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Silk cloth and steam locomotives; textiles and continuous paper rolls; firearms and aircraft engines. What do these things have in common? All were manufactured in the same place - Paterson, NJ. In 17...

8 mi from route ~20 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Morristown National Historical Park

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...

12 mi from route ~30 min detour Free near mile 2.6
View on nps.gov
Gateway National Recreation Area

Gateway National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

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...

18 mi from route ~46 min detour Free near mile 44.9
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.72 one way

$25.43 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 27 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $13.93 $27.85
premium $4.93 $14.87 $29.75
diesel $5.61 $16.93 $33.87

Estimated Tolls: $3.79

Garden State Parkway (63.2 mi) $3.79

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

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 26.8 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 0 $8.05 $3.68
Efficient EV 19.2 0 $6.71 $3.07
EV Truck/SUV 30.7 0 $10.74 $4.91

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.

Forecast data refreshed 1 day ago

Origin

West Caldwell, NJ

Evening in West Caldwell on Tuesday

Local time

8:18 PM

EDT

Current temp

80°F

Slight Chance Rain Showers

SW 17 mph 17% chance Live forecast

Destination

Toms River, NJ

Evening in Toms River on Tuesday

Local time

8:18 PM

EDT

Current temp

80°F

Partly Sunny

SW 15 mph 13% chance 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

1h 38m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from West Caldwell, NJ to Toms River, NJ covers 76.7 miles and takes about 1h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, Essex Freeway, 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 38.3 miles from West Caldwell, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.72 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 15 significant decision points across 76.7 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 1.9 miles (CR 611 / Eagle Rock Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 9.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.8 miles (Oraton Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between West Caldwell, NJ and Toms River, NJ, road signs point toward Orange and Gsp Toll South.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Toms River, NJ to West Caldwell, NJ

Plan the drive back the other way.

76 mi 1h 39m

Continue From Toms River, NJ

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