If you are planning to head north from Ship Bottom to Clifton, expect a straightforward journey covering 99.2 miles. This trip typically takes about 2 hours and 9 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. Since the route is entirely contained within the Northeast region of New Jersey, you will find consistent driving conditions throughout the trip. Budget approximately $16 for fuel to complete the drive comfortably. Because of the manageable duration, there is no need to plan for overnight stays, allowing you to easily complete the trek in one go. Whether you are heading home or visiting friends, this highway-focused transit is predictable and efficient.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.6 miles from Ship Bottom, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
87.3 mi
1h 48m
Manahawkin Bay Bridge
6.4 mi
9m
Allwood Road
1 mi
1m
Clifton Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
West Passaic Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
Long Beach Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
East Passaic Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
West 8th Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 87.3 mi, about 1h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ship Bottom, NJ and Clifton, NJ.
1
Start on East 19th Street
196 ft·10 sec·East 19th Street
2
Turn right onto CR 607
0.5 mi·1 min·Long Beach Boulevard
3
Take the ramp
423 ft·11 sec
Toward NJ 72 West: Manahawkin
4
Merge onto NJ 72
0.4 mi·43 sec·West 8th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Continue on NJ 72
154 ft·3 sec·West 8th Street
Toward Manahawkin
6
Continue on NJ 72
6.4 mi·9 min·Manahawkin Bay Bridge
Toward Manahawkin
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward GSP Toll NorthUse the right lane.
8
Continue on GSP Northbound entrance ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec·GSP Northbound entrance ramp
Toward GSP North
9
Merge onto GSP
39 mi·46 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·31 sec
11
Continue on GSP
48 mi·1 hr 2 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 151Toward Montclair, NutleyUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn right onto CR 655
483 ft·15 sec·Watchung Avenue
14
At end of road, turn left onto CR 652
0.4 mi·45 sec·East Passaic Avenue
15
Turn right onto CR 622
0.5 mi·52 sec·West Passaic Avenue
16
Turn left onto CR 622
411 ft·7 sec·Darling Avenue
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on CR 622
0.4 mi·37 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Enter roundabout onto CR 602
261 ft·4 sec·Allwood Road
19
Continue on CR 602
1.0 mi·1 min·Allwood Road
20
Turn right onto NJ 161
0.5 mi·1 min·Clifton Avenue
21
Turn right onto Olga B Terrace
174 ft·9 sec·Olga B Terrace
22
Turn right onto Hutton Road
39 ft·6 sec·Hutton Road
23
Turn left onto Olga B Terrace
441 ft·25 sec·Olga B Terrace
24
Turn left onto Donna Drive
0.1 mi·33 sec·Donna Drive
25
Turn right onto Holly Street
516 ft·22 sec·Holly Street
26
Arrive at destination
Holly Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though keeping an eye on highway traffic patterns is always wise. You can easily complete the entire 99.2-mile drive without needing to schedule formal stops, but having a full tank before hitting the Garden State Parkway will help you keep your $16 fuel budget on track. Because the longest segment is nearly 88 miles, ensure your vehicle is ready for a sustained period of highway speeds. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert as you transition from the high-speed Parkway onto local surface streets like Allwood Road, as the change in pace can be sudden.
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 49.6 miles from Ship Bottom, NJ, or about 1h 2m 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 22 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.6 miles or 1h 2m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clifton, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ship Bottom, 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 Ship Bottom, NJ
This is one driving day of about 99.2 miles and 2h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Ship Bottom, 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 96.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|NJ 72 / West 8th Street
Merge onto NJ 72 / West 8th Street
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
7.4 mi into trip|~11m 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
7.9 mi into trip|~12m 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
95.6 mi into trip|~2h 1m 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
96.8 mi into trip|~2h 4m in|CR 622 / Darling Avenue
Turn left onto CR 622 / Darling Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.45 one way
$32.89 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$18.01
$36.02
premium
$4.93
$19.24
$38.48
diesel
$5.61
$21.90
$43.80
Estimated Tolls: $12.23
Bay Bridge
$7.00
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
$16
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.8
0
$10.42
$4.76
Efficient EV
24.8
0
$8.68
$3.97
EV Truck/SUV
39.7
0
$13.89
$6.35
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% 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
Ship Bottom, NJ
Late night
in Ship Bottom on Sunday
Local time
4:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clifton, NJ
Late night
in Clifton on Sunday
Local time
4:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Chance Rain Showers
NW 6 to 9 mph28% chanceLive 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
33 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
2h 9m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a drive dominated by high-speed transit, as 88% of your journey takes place on major highways. You will start by crossing the Manahawkin Bay Bridge before settling into the Garden State Parkway for the bulk of your travel. This stretch accounts for 87.3 miles of the trip, offering a long, uninterrupted flow that defines the character of the route. As you approach your destination, the experience transitions from open highway cruising to local navigation, eventually pulling off onto Allwood Road to reach Clifton. Expect a functional, interstate-focused experience that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 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 Manahawkin Bay Bridge. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near NJ 72 / West 8th Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 99.2 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 0.6 miles (NJ 72 / West 8th Street): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.9 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ship Bottom, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp Toll North and Gsp North.
Gsp Toll North
7.4 mi in|~11m
Gsp North
7.7 mi in|~12m|via GSP Northbound entrance ramp
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 9m. Total distance: 99.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). 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 $12.23 in tolls one way, starting with Bay Bridge. 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 Clifton, NJ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (NJ 72 / West 8th Street): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.9 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Clifton, NJ before heading back.
