Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge
Near the end, right off the route
Union, New Jersey
Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm
+19083966401
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 21m
Distance
106.1 mi
171 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Beach Haven, NJ
Mary V
Passaic, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Beach Haven to Passaic is 106.1 miles and takes about 2h 21m via Garden State Parkway, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within New Jersey, moving from the coastal Northeast region to the Northeast region. Given its highway-focused profile and manageable distance, it's a straightforward trip best suited for a single day. You'll spend most of your time on the Garden State Parkway, making it a practical choice for getting from the shore to northern New Jersey efficiently. Consider this route if you're looking for a no-fuss journey with a predictable travel time.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53 miles from Beach Haven, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 87.3 mi | 1h 48m |
| Manahawkin Bay Bridge | 6.4 mi | 9m |
| Long Beach Boulevard | 5.4 mi | 11m |
| South Bay Avenue | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Bloomfield Avenue | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Broadway | 1 mi | 1m |
| West Passaic Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| East Passaic Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Beach Haven, NJ and Passaic, NJ.
Start on CR 607
Continue on CR 607
Take the ramp
Merge onto NJ 72
Continue on NJ 72
Continue on NJ 72
Take the exit
Continue on GSP Northbound entrance ramp
Merge onto GSP
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on GSP
Take the exit
Turn right onto CR 655
At end of road, turn left onto CR 652
Turn right onto CR 622
Turn left onto CR 622
Continue on CR 622
Enter roundabout onto CR 622
Continue on CR 622
Continue on CR 622
Continue on CR 622
Continue on CR 622
Turn right onto CR 618
Turn left onto Passaic Avenue
Arrive at destination
With a drive time under 2.5 hours and a fuel cost around $18, this is a flexible, same-day trip. Leaving in the morning will allow you to avoid potential afternoon traffic on the Garden State Parkway. Since the longest continuous stretch is over 87 miles, plan for a single fuel or rest stop midway if needed, though it's likely not essential for this distance. A key tip for this route is to be mindful of the Parkway's toll system; ensure you have your E-ZPass or are prepared for cash payment to keep your journey seamless.
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.
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 23 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53 miles or 1h 10m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Passaic, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Beach Haven, 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 Beach Haven, NJ
This is one driving day of about 106.1 miles and 2h 21m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
53 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.
A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 53 miles from Beach Haven, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Garden State Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Union, New Jersey
Near the end, right off the route
Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm
+19083966401
Filoncino Bakery Cafe
Red Bank, New Jersey
Fiorentini Restaurant
Rutherford, New Jersey
Top Coffee Stop
Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey
Near the end, short detour
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+12014259120
Near the end, right off the route
Union, New Jersey
Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm
+19083966401
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Red Bank, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+17323770404
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Rutherford, New Jersey
Hours: 5–9:30 pm
+19737213404
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Toms River, New Jersey
Hours: 5–9 pm
+17322553323
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Cranford, New Jersey
Hours: 12–9:30 pm
+19089676161
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Maplewood, New Jersey
Hours: 11 am–11 pm
+19737634460
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~9 min detour
Staten Island, New York
Hours: 12–9 pm
+17182277200
Visit websiteNear the end, ~9 min detour
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Hours: 10:30 am–12 pm
+19083544024
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+12014259120
Near the start, short detour
Manahawkin, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–4 pm
+16095495775
Visit websiteNear the end, ~11 min detour
Montclair, New Jersey
Hours: 7:30 am–5:30 pm
+19733586543
Visit websiteNear the end, ~11 min detour
South Hackensack, New Jersey
Hours: 10 am–7 pm
+12014265898
Visit websiteNear the end, ~12 min detour
Hackensack, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+12012563010
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Union, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Tinton Falls, NJ
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Tinton Falls, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18665761495
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Tinton Falls, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18774943833
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Union, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18885577099
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Union, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Belleville, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Bloomfield, NJ
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Perth Amboy, New Jersey
+17326979500
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Cranford, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+19085274900
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Lodi, New Jersey
Hours: 1–7 pm
+18628997674
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey
Hours: 10 am–8 pm
+12017132156
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Staten Island, New York
+17189846046
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Harrison, NJ
Hours: Open 24 hours
+12012175482
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Newark, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+19739005800
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~9 min detour
Woodbridge, New Jersey
Hours: 6 am–6 pm
+17327453900
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.3 and 103.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Merge onto NJ 72 / West 8th Street
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward GSP Toll North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Montclair, Nutley
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto CR 622 / Darling Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$17.59 one way
$35.18 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $19.27 | $38.53 |
| premium | $4.93 | $20.58 | $41.15 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.43 | $46.85 |
Estimated Tolls: $12.23
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
$18
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.8 | 0 | $11.14 | $5.09 |
| Efficient EV | 26.5 | 0 | $9.28 | $4.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.4 | 0 | $14.85 | $6.79 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Beach Haven on Sunday
Local time
12:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Passaic on Sunday
Local time
12:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Historical Park
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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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 82% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 87.3 miles on the Garden State Parkway, offering a consistent pace for a large portion of your journey. The initial part of the trip involves crossing the Manahawkin Bay Bridge and navigating Long Beach Boulevard, which may offer a slightly different feel before merging onto the Parkway. Expect a relatively smooth ride predominantly on well-maintained highways, making it ideal for covering distance quickly.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Manahawkin Bay Bridge. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.3 miles in near NJ 72 / West 8th Street.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 106.1 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 7.3 miles (NJ 72 / West 8th Street): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.5 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Beach Haven, NJ and Passaic, NJ, road signs point toward Manahawkin, Gsp Toll North and Gsp North.
Manahawkin
Gsp Toll North
Gsp North
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 21m. Total distance: 106.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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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