Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge
Later in the drive, short detour
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 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 36m
Distance
74.7 mi
120 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
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.
Toms River, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Passaic, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
This 74.7-mile drive from Toms River, NJ, to Passaic, NJ, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 1 hour and 36 minutes. The majority of your journey, 93% to be exact, will be on highways, making it a focused trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, this route is an economical option for a quick transition within the Northeast region. It's a straightforward drive that gets you from point A to point B efficiently, without needing an overnight stop. Consider this a practical, no-fuss option for your travel plans.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.3 miles from Toms River, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 69 mi | 1h 27m |
| Bloomfield Avenue | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Broadway | 1 mi | 1m |
| North Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| West Passaic Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| East Passaic Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Paulison Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Route 37 West | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Toms River, NJ and Passaic, NJ.
Start on this road
Turn right onto NJ 166
Turn left onto NJ 37
Take the exit
Merge onto GSP; US 9
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
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 36 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility with this trip. Leaving Toms River during off-peak hours, perhaps mid-morning or early afternoon, can help you avoid potential traffic on the Garden State Parkway. Since there are no specific stops suggested, plan for a brief rest break if needed, especially during the 69-mile stretch on the parkway. The $12 fuel cost is quite manageable, so ensure your tank is full before you depart to minimize any stops for gas.
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 16 miles or 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.3 miles or 46m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Passaic, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Toms River, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Toms River, NJ
This is one driving day of about 74.7 miles and 1h 36m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 37.3 miles from Toms River, 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 69 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
Later in the drive, short detour
Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm
+19083966401
Oasis Restaurant
Cranford, New Jersey
Princess Maria's 2 Pizza & Restaurant
Brick Township, New Jersey
Top Coffee Stop
Montclair, New Jersey
Near the end, short detour
Hours: 7:30 am–5:30 pm
+19733586543
Later in the drive, short detour
Union, New Jersey
Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm
+19083966401
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Cranford, New Jersey
Hours: 12–9:30 pm
+19089676161
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Brick Township, New Jersey
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+17327146471
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Toms River, New Jersey
Hours: 5–9 pm
+17322553323
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
South Orange Village, New Jersey
Hours: 12–3 pm
+19737624440
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Rutherford, New Jersey
Hours: 5–8:30 pm
+19737213404
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Maplewood, New Jersey
Hours: 11 am–11 pm
+19737634460
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~9 min detour
Linden, New Jersey
Hours: 12 pm–12 am
+19089254166
Visit websiteNear the end, short 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 websiteEarly in the drive, right off the route
Tinton Falls, NJ
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Belleville, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, right off the route
Tinton Falls, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18665761495
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, right off the route
Tinton Falls, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18774943833
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Lakewood, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Union, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Clark, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18774943833
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Union, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Woodbridge, New Jersey
Hours: 6 am–6 pm
+17327453900
Visit websiteLater in the drive, 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
Newark, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+19739005800
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey
Hours: 10 am–8 pm
+12017132156
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Perth Amboy, New Jersey
+17326979500
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Staten Island, New York
+17189846046
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Newark, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+19732683500
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 74.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward US 9 Toll North, GSP Toll North: Lakewood, New York, Woodbridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto GSP; US 9 / 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
Turn left onto Passaic Avenue
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$12.38 one way
$24.77 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $13.56 | $27.13 |
| premium | $4.93 | $14.49 | $28.97 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.49 | $32.99 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.14
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
$12
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.4 | 0 | $7.84 | $3.59 |
| Efficient EV | 18.7 | 0 | $6.54 | $2.99 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.9 | 0 | $10.46 | $4.78 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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
Morning in Toms River on Sunday
Local time
7:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Passaic on Sunday
Local time
7:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny
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
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
National Historical Park
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.
Expect a highway-focused experience on this route, with 93% of the journey utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a significant chunk of time on the Garden State Parkway, including a continuous stretch of 69 miles, offering a consistent driving pace. While primarily highway, the approach to Passaic will involve local roads like Bloomfield Avenue and Broadway. This transition from high-speed parkway to more urban streets marks the changing character of the drive as you near your destination.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Bloomfield Avenue. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 74.7 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 0.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.3 miles (GSP; US 9 / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Toms River, NJ and Passaic, NJ, road signs point toward Montclair and Nutley.
Montclair
Nutley
Toms River is the county seat of Ocean County, New Jersey. It is a few miles west of the beaches of the Jersey Shore Region, midway between New York and Philadelphia and a short distance from Atlantic City. Toms River is easy to get to by car as the Garden State Parkway bisects the town, and it is served by express bus service to and from New York City.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 36m. Total distance: 74.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). 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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