Beach Haven to Clifton is 105.8 miles and takes about 2h 22m via Garden State Parkway, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Jersey, connecting the Northeast region's coastal areas to its northern urban centers. Primarily a highway-focused drive, it's a straightforward option for getting from the Jersey Shore to destinations further north. You'll find it to be a practical and efficient way to cover the distance, especially if you're looking to minimize travel time. Plan for a single-day journey with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.9 miles from Beach Haven, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 22m. Total distance: 105.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is heavily highway-focused, with 82% of the drive utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a significant amount of time on the Garden State Parkway, experiencing an uninterrupted stretch of 87.3 miles. Expect a consistent driving experience, characterized by smooth pavement and moderate traffic flow typical of major parkways. While the majority is highway, the initial segment involves crossing the Manahawkin Bay Bridge and navigating Long Beach Boulevard, offering a brief transition before merging onto the faster pace of the Parkway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Garden State Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 87.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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.
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 16 significant decision points across 105.8 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
7.3 mi into trip|~14m 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
14.1 mi into trip|~24m 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
14.5 mi into trip|~25m 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
102.2 mi into trip|~2h 14m 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
103.4 mi into trip|~2h 16m in|CR 622 / Darling Avenue
Turn left onto CR 622 / Darling Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Beach Haven, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward Manahawkin, Gsp Toll North and Gsp North.
Manahawkin
7.6 mi in|~15m|via NJ 72
Gsp Toll North
14.1 mi in|~24m
Gsp North
14.3 mi in|~25m|via GSP Northbound entrance ramp
Main Roads
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
Allwood Road
1 mi
1m
Clifton Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
West Passaic Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
East Passaic Avenue
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 Beach Haven, NJ and Clifton, NJ.
1
Start on CR 607
1.8 mi·3 min·South Bay Avenue
2
Continue on CR 607
5.4 mi·11 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
Given the 2h 22m duration and 105.8-mile distance, this is best tackled as a single-day trip. To avoid heavier traffic, consider departing from Beach Haven earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon. With a fuel cost estimated at $18, you won't need to worry about frequent stops for gas. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 87.3 miles on the Garden State Parkway, so plan your breaks before or after this segment. Keep an eye out for toll plazas, as they are a common feature on this parkway.
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 52.9 miles from Beach Haven, NJ, or about 1h 10m 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 23 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.9 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 Clifton, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 105.8 miles and 2h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Beach Haven, 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 52.9 mi from Beach Haven, NJ
· 1h 10m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 105.8
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 91.2
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...
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.7
0
$11.11
$5.08
Efficient EV
26.5
0
$9.26
$4.23
EV Truck/SUV
42.3
0
$14.81
$6.77
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Beach Haven, NJ
Afternoon
in Beach Haven on Friday
Local time
1:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clifton, NJ
Afternoon
in Clifton on Friday
Local time
1:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°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
19 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 22m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Beach Haven, NJ to Clifton, NJ covers 105.8 miles and takes about 2h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, Manahawkin Bay Bridge, Long Beach Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 52.9 miles from Beach Haven, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.54 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 105.8 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.
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.
Between Beach Haven, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward Manahawkin, Gsp Toll North and Gsp North.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
