How far is Highlands, NJ from Toms River, NJ?
The driving distance from Highlands, NJ to Toms River, NJ is about 38.7 miles (62.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 32.9 miles (53 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 43m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 00h 51m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Highlands and Toms River.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Highlands and Toms River.
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1
Start on Sea Drift Avenue
24 m · 11 sec · Sea Drift Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Bay Avenue
788 ft · 27 sec · Bay Avenue
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3
Turn left onto Waterwitch Avenue
149 m · 13 sec · Waterwitch Avenue
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4
Continue on Linden Avenue
1541 ft · 45 sec · Linden Avenue
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5
Turn right onto Navesink Avenue
111 m · 7 sec · Navesink Avenue
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6
Turn slight right onto Ocean Boulevard
1003 ft · 33 sec · Ocean Boulevard
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7
Turn left onto Orchard Avenue
107 m · 9 sec · Orchard Avenue
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8
Continue on Navesink Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Navesink Avenue
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9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Locust Avenue
72 m · 5 sec · Locust Avenue
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10
Exit the roundabout onto Locust Avenue
2039 ft · 44 sec · Locust Avenue
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11
At the end of the road, turn left onto Locust Point Road
2439 ft · 51 sec · Locust Point Road
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12
Continue on Navesink River Road
3.8 mi · 7 min · Navesink River Road
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13
Turn left
2606 ft · 1 min
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14
Turn right onto Rector Place
1251 ft · 27 sec · Rector Place
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15
Continue on Shrewsbury Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Shrewsbury Avenue
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16
Turn right onto Newman Springs Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · Newman Springs Road
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17
Take the ramp straight toward GSP Toll South
1335 ft · 33 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
27.8 mi · 33 min · Garden State Parkway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward NJ 37 East: Seaside Heights, Island Beach State Park
1122 ft · 48 sec
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20
Merge slight left onto Route 37 West
1774 ft · 33 sec · Route 37 West
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21
Turn right onto North Main Street
1.1 km · 1 min · North Main Street
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22
Turn left
24 m · 6 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Highlands and Toms River.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Garden State Parkway
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
27.8 mi · 00h 33m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Highlands and Rain Showers Likely near Toms River.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Highlands to Toms River?
The road trip is about 38.7 miles (62.3 km) and usually takes 00h 51m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Hamilton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.5 miles from Highlands and 19.3 miles from Toms River.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 32.9 miles (53 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:46 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.60 one way or $11.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Highlands and Rain Showers Likely near Toms River.
Stop Ideas Near Hamilton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Hamilton.
New Brunswick station
Metropark station
Princeton Junction station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Highlands and Toms River. Straight-line distance: 32.95 mi (53.02 km).
#1 Highlands
Borough of New Jersey
| Population | 4,693 |
| Coordinates | 40.4037200, -73.9915300 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Toms River
Township of New Jersey
| Population | 95,339 |
| Coordinates | 39.9537300, -74.1979200 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-74.197952, 39.953845)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 62 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $5.60 | $11.20 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $6.30 | $12.60 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $6.79 | $13.57 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $8.19 | $16.39 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in New Jersey · May 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.