Traveling from Passaic to Manahawkin covers 94.3 miles, typically taking about 1 hour and 59 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey stays entirely within the Northeast region of New Jersey, you can easily complete it as a straightforward one-day trip without needing an overnight stop. Budgeting approximately $16 for fuel is a safe estimate for the total distance. Navigating via local roads like Paulison Avenue, Broadway, and Bloomfield Avenue keeps you off the major interstates for the duration of the trip. This route is best suited for drivers who prefer a steady, turn-heavy local pace rather than the high-speed intensity of highway driving.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.1 miles from Passaic, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
81.7 mi
1h 40m
Garden State Parkway Southbound
6.2 mi
8m
NJ 72
1.7 mi
2m
Bloomfield Avenue
1.4 mi
2m
Broadway
1 mi
1m
West Passaic Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
East Passaic Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
Watchung Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 81.7 mi, about 1h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Passaic, NJ and Manahawkin, NJ.
1
Start on Passaic Avenue
95 ft·7 sec·Passaic Avenue
2
Turn right onto CR 618
0.2 mi·20 sec·Paulison Avenue
3
Turn left onto CR 622
1.0 mi·1 min·Broadway
4
Continue on CR 622
0.2 mi·17 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
5
Continue on CR 622
0.2 mi·20 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
6
Continue on CR 622
0.6 mi·55 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
Use the left lane.
7
Enter roundabout onto CR 622
160 ft·2 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
8
Continue on CR 622
0.4 mi·37 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on CR 622
411 ft·9 sec·Darling Avenue
10
Turn right onto CR 622
0.5 mi·50 sec·West Passaic Avenue
11
Continue on CR 652
0.4 mi·50 sec·East Passaic Avenue
12
Turn right onto CR 655
0.2 mi·31 sec·Watchung Avenue
13
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward GSP Toll South
14
Merge onto GSP
20 mi·28 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on Garden State Parkway
6.2 mi·8 min·Garden State Parkway Southbound
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi·49 sec·Garden State Parkway
17
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
61 mi·1 hr 11 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi·25 sec
Exit 63Toward NJ 72: Long Beach Island, Pemberton
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·40 sec
Toward NJ 72 East: Long Beach Island
20
Merge onto NJ 72
1.7 mi·2 min·NJ 72
Use the right lane.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward US 9 North: Manahawkin
22
Merge onto US 9
0.1 mi·12 sec·Main Street
23
Turn right onto (50)
46 ft·1 sec·East Bay Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
(50)
Trip Plan
Given the local nature of these roads, try to avoid peak commuting hours to ensure your two-hour drive doesn't drag on due to heavy traffic. Since you won't encounter major highway rest stops, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you pull out of Passaic to avoid unnecessary detours. The $16 fuel estimate is quite reasonable, but local traffic patterns can impact your actual consumption, so keep an eye on your gauge. Because this trip is a manageable length for a single day, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. A helpful tip for this specific route is to double-check your GPS frequently, as the reliance on local roads like Broadway and Bloomfield Avenue involves many turns that are easy to miss.
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 47.1 miles from Passaic, NJ, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.7 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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.1 miles or 1h 3m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manahawkin, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Passaic, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Passaic, NJ
This is one driving day of about 94.3 miles and 1h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Passaic, 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 81.7 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 92.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|CR 618 / Paulison Avenue
Turn right onto CR 618 / Paulison Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
3.8 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the ramp toward GSP Toll South
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward GSP Toll South
6
30.9 mi into trip|~44m in|GSP / Garden State Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
91.9 mi into trip|~1h 55m in
Take the exit toward NJ 72: Long Beach Island, Pemberton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 63
Toward NJ 72: Long Beach Island, Pemberton
7
92.1 mi into trip|~1h 55m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 72 East: Long Beach Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward NJ 72 East: Long Beach Island
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.63 one way
$31.27 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$17.12
$34.25
premium
$4.93
$18.29
$36.58
diesel
$5.61
$20.82
$41.64
Estimated Tolls: $5.27
Garden State Parkway
(87.9 mi)$5.27
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
$16
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: 33 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
28.3
0
$9.90
$4.53
Efficient EV
23.6
0
$8.25
$3.77
EV Truck/SUV
37.7
0
$13.20
$6.04
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 19, 2026
Origin
Passaic, NJ
Morning
in Passaic on Sunday
Local time
10:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Mostly Cloudy then Patchy Fog
SE 6 to 10 mph56% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued April 19 at 1:11AM EDT until April 21 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Manahawkin, NJ
Morning
in Manahawkin on Sunday
Local time
10:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Areas Of Fog
SE 5 to 10 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued April 19 at 1:11AM EDT until April 21 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
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
1 degrees cooler 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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Thomas Edison National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Today, the brick buildings on Main Street in West Orange, NJ seem quiet, betraying little evidence of the research, development, and innovation of their heyday. Visitors can step back in time to Thoma...
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...
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 16.3
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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 42.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you navigate through various neighborhoods. With a highway share of 0%, you won't experience the monotony of long, straight interstate stretches; instead, the road requires constant engagement through frequent turns. The transition from the urban environment of Passaic toward Manahawkin means the character of the road shifts as you leave the denser northern areas. Since there are no designated stops on this 94.3-mile route, you should prepare for a continuous drive once you depart. The lack of highway segments means your speed will remain lower, making this a more technical, hands-on experience than a typical expressway commute.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.7 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Garden State Parkway Southbound. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR 618 / Paulison Avenue.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 94.3 miles you will encounter 17 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: near the start (CR 618 / Paulison Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.8 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 30.9 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 59m. Total distance: 94.3 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 81.7 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.27 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.
Yes — we found about 13 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Manahawkin, 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: near the start (CR 618 / Paulison Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.8 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 30.9 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Morristown National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Manahawkin, NJ before heading back.
