Spanning 95.8 miles, this trek from Manahawkin to Passaic is a straightforward journey through the heart of New Jersey. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 41 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize West Bay Avenue and NJ 72 West before jumping onto the Garden State Parkway North for the majority of the transit. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $16, the trip is quite economical for a quick transition between the shore area and the northern part of the state. Because the entire route remains within the Northeast region, you won't face any major climate or cultural shifts, allowing for a comfortable and predictable drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.7 miles from Manahawkin, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
87.3 mi
1h 48m
Bloomfield Avenue
1.3 mi
2m
NJ 72
1.1 mi
1m
Broadway
1 mi
1m
West Passaic Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
East Passaic Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
GSP Northbound entrance ramp
0.2 mi
<1m
Paulison Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 87.3 mi, about 1h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Manahawkin, NJ and Passaic, NJ.
1
Start on (50)
46 ft·3 sec·East Bay Avenue
2
Continue on West Bay Avenue
0.2 mi·17 sec·West Bay Avenue
3
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·19 sec·this road
Toward NJ 72 West
4
Merge onto NJ 72
1.1 mi·1 min·NJ 72
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward GSP Toll NorthUse the right lane.
6
Continue on GSP Northbound entrance ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec·GSP Northbound entrance ramp
Toward GSP North
7
Merge onto GSP
39 mi·46 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·31 sec
9
Continue on GSP
48 mi·1 hr 2 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 151Toward Montclair, NutleyUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn right onto CR 655
483 ft·15 sec·Watchung Avenue
12
At end of road, turn left onto CR 652
0.4 mi·45 sec·East Passaic Avenue
13
Turn right onto CR 622
0.5 mi·52 sec·West Passaic Avenue
14
Turn left onto CR 622
411 ft·7 sec·Darling Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on CR 622
0.4 mi·37 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Enter roundabout onto CR 622
173 ft·3 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
17
Continue on CR 622
0.5 mi·52 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
18
Continue on CR 622
0.2 mi·21 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
19
Continue on CR 622
0.2 mi·17 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
20
Continue on CR 622
1.0 mi·1 min·Broadway
21
Turn right onto CR 618
0.2 mi·23 sec·Paulison Avenue
22
Turn left onto Passaic Avenue
95 ft·2 sec·Passaic Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
Passaic Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 1 hour and 41 minute travel time, aim to depart during off-peak hours to avoid the congestion often associated with the Garden State Parkway. Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to power through without needing a scheduled stop, though keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise given the $16 estimated cost. Because the route is heavy on turns, ensure your vehicle’s tire pressure is properly set before you head out from Manahawkin. If you are traveling during standard commuting hours, factor in extra time for the transition onto the toll road, as traffic volume can significantly impact your arrival time in Passaic. Planning your departure to miss rush hour will ensure a much smoother experience on these specific local-to-highway roads.
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 46.7 miles from Manahawkin, NJ, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.3 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 21 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.7 miles or 56m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Passaic, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Manahawkin, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Manahawkin, NJ
This is one driving day of about 93.4 miles and 1h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Manahawkin, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 87.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 93.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.4 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the exit toward GSP Toll North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward GSP Toll North
5
1.8 mi into trip|~3m in|GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
89.6 mi into trip|~1h 52m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 151
Toward Montclair, Nutley
5
90.8 mi into trip|~1h 54m in|CR 622 / Darling Avenue
Turn left onto CR 622 / Darling Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
93.4 mi into trip|~1h 59m in|Passaic Avenue
Turn left onto Passaic Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.48 one way
$30.97 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$16.96
$33.92
premium
$4.93
$18.11
$36.23
diesel
$5.61
$20.62
$41.24
Estimated Tolls: $5.23
Garden State Parkway
(87.3 mi)$5.23
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
$15
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28
0
$9.81
$4.48
Efficient EV
23.4
0
$8.17
$3.74
EV Truck/SUV
37.4
0
$13.08
$5.98
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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 as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Manahawkin, NJ
Morning
in Manahawkin on Sunday
Local time
7:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Passaic, NJ
Morning
in Passaic on Sunday
Local time
7:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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
14 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 59m on the road
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, requiring your full attention as you transition from local roads onto the main highway system. You should be prepared for a mix of slower, maneuver-intensive stretches at the start before hitting the flow of the GSP Toll North. Since the highway share is 0% of the total distance, you will find that the road demands more active navigation than a simple interstate cruise. The personality of this drive shifts from the coastal local atmosphere of Manahawkin into the increasingly dense traffic patterns typical of the northern New Jersey corridor. Keep your eyes on the road, as the frequent turns and transitions mean you won't have long stretches of uninterrupted, mindless highway driving.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.3 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Bloomfield Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 93.4 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 89.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 59m. Total distance: 93.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.3 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.23 in tolls one way, starting with Garden State Parkway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Passaic, NJ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 89.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Passaic, NJ before heading back.
