You’re standing at the Toms River Park & Ride, staring at the NJ Transit app, and wondering if there’s a secret portal to Philly that doesn't involve three hours on a bus.
Honestly, getting from Toms River NJ to Philadelphia PA feels like it should be a straight shot across the state. In reality? It’s a choose-your-own-adventure of pine trees, Parkway tolls, and the occasional questionable transfer in Atlantic City.
The distance is only about 56 miles if you’re driving. But as any local knows, "56 miles" in New Jersey is a units-of-time measurement, not a physical distance. Depending on whether you take Route 70 or the Atlantic City Expressway, you’re looking at anywhere from 75 minutes to "I should have just stayed home."
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The Driving Dilemma: Route 70 vs. The Expressway
Most people instinctively plug the destination into GPS and follow the blue line. If you're leaving from the northern part of Toms River, it likely sends you down Route 70.
It’s a scenic drive. You get to see a lot of trees. You also get to experience the unique frustration of the Lakehurst Circle. Once you pass through the military base area, it’s a long, two-lane stretch through the Pine Barrens. It’s quiet, but if you get stuck behind a truck hauling cedar logs, you’re not seeing Philly until the next administration.
The Expressway Alternative
If you want consistency, you take the Garden State Parkway south to the Atlantic City Expressway. It’s longer in terms of mileage—clipping closer to 80 miles total—but it’s often faster because it’s a high-speed toll road.
Expect to pay about $11 to $15 in total tolls and gas.
The Bus "Secret": Why There's No Direct Shot
Here is the thing that trips up every visitor: there is no direct bus from Toms River NJ to Philadelphia PA. None.
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You’d think with the volume of people moving between the Shore and the City of Brotherly Love, there would be a "Philly Express." Nope. You have two main options, and both require some patience.
- The Atlantic City Transfer (The 319 to the 551): You catch the 319 bus at the Toms River Park & Ride. It takes you south to the Atlantic City Bus Terminal. From there, you hop on the 551, which runs straight into Center City Philly. Total travel time? About 2 hours and 40 minutes if the connections align. It’ll cost you roughly $14 to $44 depending on how you book.
- The 317 "Milk Run": This bus starts in Lakewood and meanders its way through every small town in South Jersey before finally hitting Market Street in Philly. It takes nearly 4 hours. Don’t do this to yourself unless you really, really like looking at local post offices.
Parking in Philly: Where Commuters Get Burned
If you decide to drive, the "arrival" is the hardest part. Philadelphia isn't exactly built for suburban SUVs.
If you're heading to a Phillies or Eagles game, just pay the $25-$50 for the stadium lots. Don't try to be a hero and park in South Philly neighborhoods; the PPA (Philadelphia Parking Authority) is more efficient than the Secret Service and twice as aggressive.
For a day trip to Center City, the Autopark at Independence Mall is a solid bet. It’s underground, safe, and right by the history stuff.
Pro Tip: Download the meterUP app before you cross the Ben Franklin Bridge. You can pay for street parking from your phone and, more importantly, extend your time without running back to the car. If you hit the "2-Hour Max," the rate doubles. If you try to extend it again, it triples. They want you to move.
What's Actually Worth the Trip?
Once you make the trek, don't just stand in line for 40 minutes at Pat’s or Geno’s.
Go to Reading Terminal Market. It’s an indoor sensory overload that’s been around since 1893. Get a roast pork sandwich from DiNic’s—it’s the "real" Philly sandwich that locals actually eat.
If you have kids, the Franklin Institute is basically the gold standard for science museums. Or, if it's nice out, walk the Schuylkill River Trail. It’s a weirdly peaceful escape right in the middle of the urban grit.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
- Check the "Big Event" Schedule: Before you leave Toms River, check if there’s a home game for the Phillies, Eagles, or Sixers. If there is, add 45 minutes to your drive time and expect the Ben Franklin Bridge to be a parking lot.
- The PATCO Pivot: If you hate city driving, drive to the Lindenwold Station in New Jersey. Park for cheap, and take the PATCO Speedline into Philly. It runs 24/7 and drops you right at 8th and Market or 15th and Locust.
- Buy Bus Tickets Early: Use the NJ Transit app to buy your tickets before you board. Drivers don't give change, and the ticket machines at the Park & Ride are occasionally "taking a nap."
- EZ-Pass is Non-Negotiable: Between the Parkway and the Expressway (or the AC Expressway), you'll hit multiple toll gantries. Cash lanes are becoming a relic of the past; save yourself the "toll-by-mail" surcharge.
Pack some snacks for the Pine Barrens stretch. It's a long way between gas stations once you hit the heart of Route 70.
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Check the current bridge tolls on the DRPA website before you head out, as rates for the Ben Franklin and Walt Whitman bridges are subject to yearly adjustments. Once you're across, stay in the right lanes if you're heading toward the Waterfront, or follow the "Vine Street Expressway" (I-676) signs to cut through to the Art Museum area.