How far is Toms River, NJ from Highlands, NJ?
The driving distance from Toms River, NJ to Highlands, NJ is about 38.2 miles (61.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 32.9 miles (53 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 44m 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 52m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
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 Toms River and Highlands.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Toms River and Highlands.
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1
Start on the route
24 m · 8 sec
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2
Turn right onto North Main Street
1.1 km · 1 min · North Main Street
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3
Turn left onto Route 37 West
753 ft · 22 sec · Route 37 West
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4
Take the exit slight right toward US 9 Toll North, GSP Toll North: Lakewood, New York, Woodbridge
2538 ft · 48 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
21 mi · 25 min · Garden State Parkway
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6
Keep slight left
2399 ft · 31 sec
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7
Take the exit slight right
693 ft · 9 sec
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8
Merge slight right onto Garden State Parkway
5.6 mi · 6 min · Garden State Parkway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward CR 520: Red Bank, Lincroft
662 ft · 23 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on CR 520 East: Red Bank
146 m · 16 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on CR 520 East
135 m · 12 sec
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12
Turn straight onto Newman Springs Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Newman Springs Road
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13
Turn left onto Shrewsbury Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Shrewsbury Avenue
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14
Continue on Rector Place
1251 ft · 30 sec · Rector Place
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15
Turn left
2450 ft · 52 sec
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16
Turn right onto Navesink River Road
3.9 mi · 7 min · Navesink River Road
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17
Continue on Locust Point Road
2439 ft · 50 sec · Locust Point Road
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18
Turn right onto Locust Avenue
2034 ft · 41 sec · Locust Avenue
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Navesink Avenue
18 m · 1 sec · Navesink Avenue
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20
Exit the roundabout onto Navesink Avenue
1.6 km · 2 min · Navesink Avenue
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21
Continue on Navesink Avenue
1496 ft · 34 sec · Navesink Avenue
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22
Take the exit right toward Highlands Business District, Seastreak Ferry
2118 ft · 1 min
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23
Turn slight left onto Waterwitch Avenue
149 m · 18 sec · Waterwitch Avenue
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24
Turn right onto Bay Avenue
788 ft · 24 sec · Bay Avenue
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25
Turn right onto Sea Drift Avenue
24 m · 3 sec · Sea Drift Avenue
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Sea Drift Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Toms River and Highlands.
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
21 mi · 00h 25m
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 Toms River and Rain Showers Likely near Highlands.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Toms River to Highlands?
The road trip is about 38.2 miles (61.4 km) and usually takes 00h 52m 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 19.1 miles from Toms River and 19.1 miles from Highlands.
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 5.3 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 $5.52 one way or $11.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Toms River and Rain Showers Likely near Highlands.
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 Toms River and Highlands. Straight-line distance: 32.95 mi (53.02 km).
#1 Toms River
Township of New Jersey
| Population | 95,339 |
| Coordinates | 39.9537300, -74.1979200 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Highlands
Borough of New Jersey
| Population | 4,693 |
| Coordinates | 40.4037200, -73.9915300 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| Country | United States |
End: Highlands (-73.99153, 40.40372)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 61 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 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 | $5.52 | $11.03 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $6.21 | $12.42 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $6.69 | $13.38 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $8.07 | $16.15 |
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.