Origin
Clifton, NJ
Evening in Clifton on Sunday
Local time
6:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clifton, NJ to Ship Bottom, NJ
Drive Time
2h 8m
Distance
99.7 mi
160 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 59m
★
6 AM
2h 8m
8 AM
2h 27m
10 AM
2h 15m
12 PM
2h 13m
3 PM
2h 16m
5 PM
2h 26m
8 PM
2h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clifton, NJ
James Kampeis
Ship Bottom, NJ
yaman ozuduru
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick getaway from Clifton to Ship Bottom, expect a straightforward 99.7-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 8 minutes. This route is designed for efficiency, relying heavily on the Garden State Parkway to move you south through New Jersey. Because the drive is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach the coast without needing an overnight stop. Budget approximately $17 for fuel to cover the distance. Whether you are heading to the shore for the day or a longer stay, this highway-focused path provides a direct connection between the Northeast suburbs and the beach.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
49.8 miles from Clifton, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a high-speed experience, as 97% of this trip takes place on major highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the Garden State Parkway, including a significant 83.8-mile stretch that represents the longest uninterrupted portion of the drive. The transition from the Parkway onto NJ 72 serves as your final approach, shifting the pace as you head toward the coast. While the ride is largely a consistent interstate grind, it offers a reliable and predictable path for those prioritizing speed over scenic backroads. Keep your focus sharp, as the heavy highway reliance means you will be maintaining highway speeds for almost the entire duration.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 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 83.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and NJ 72. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Olga B Terrace.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 99.7 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 0.2 miles (Olga B Terrace): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.9 miles (CR 602 / Allwood Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Olga B Terrace
At end of road, turn right onto Olga B Terrace
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
CR 602 / Allwood Road
At end of road, turn right onto CR 602 / Allwood Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
1.1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward NJ 3 West, GSP South
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NJ 3 West, GSP South
6
1.3 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit toward GSP South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward GSP South
7
91.8 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
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Clifton, NJ to Ship Bottom, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Pemberton along the way.
Pemberton
91.6 mi in
|
~1h 55m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 83.8 mi | 1h 42m |
| NJ 72 | 7.1 mi | 10m |
| Garden State Parkway Southbound | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| Clifton Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Central Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Allwood Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Donna Drive | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Olga B Terrace | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 83.8 mi, about 1h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton, NJ and Ship Bottom, NJ.
1
Start on Holly Street
516 ft
·
26 sec
·
Holly Street
2
Turn left onto Donna Drive
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
Donna Drive
3
At end of road, turn right onto Olga B Terrace
441 ft
·
21 sec
·
Olga B Terrace
4
Turn right onto Hutton Road
39 ft
·
7 sec
·
Hutton Road
5
Turn left onto Olga B Terrace
174 ft
·
13 sec
·
Olga B Terrace
6
Turn left onto NJ 161
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Clifton Avenue
7
At end of road, turn right onto CR 602
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Allwood Road
Use the right lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward NJ 3 West, GSP South
9
Merge onto NJ 3
304 ft
·
4 sec
·
State Route 3
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward GSP South
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto GSP
22 mi
·
30 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
12
Continue on Garden State Parkway
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Garden State Parkway Southbound
Use the none lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the none lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
61 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 63
Toward NJ 72: Long Beach Island, Pemberton
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
Toward NJ 72 East: Long Beach Island
17
Merge onto NJ 72
7.1 mi
·
10 min
·
NJ 72
Use the right lane.
18
Turn right onto CR 89
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Central Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn left onto West 19th Street
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
West 19th Street
20
Arrive at destination
East 19th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a compact drive, you have the flexibility to leave whenever it suits your schedule, though keep in mind that traffic can fluctuate significantly on the Garden State Parkway. Because there are no required stops on this 2-hour route, you can easily complete the trip in one go without needing a formal break. If you want to avoid peak congestion, try to time your departure to steer clear of typical commuting hours. Make sure your fuel tank is ready before merging onto the Parkway, as the 83.8-mile stretch is long enough that you will want to avoid unnecessary detours once you are up to speed. Having your toll payment method ready will also help you navigate the Parkway sections without any added stress.
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 49.8 miles from Clifton, NJ, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.8 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 80 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.8 miles or 1h 6m 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 Ship Bottom, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clifton, 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 Clifton, NJ
This is one driving day of about 99.7 miles and 2h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Clifton, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 83.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 49.8 mi from Clifton, NJ · 1h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
50 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 49.8 miles from Clifton, 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 83.8 miles.
Arriving in Ship Bottom, NJ
The final approach into Ship Bottom, NJ usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Ship Bottom, NJ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.50 one way
$33.00 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $18.05 | $36.10 |
| premium | $4.92 | $19.32 | $38.64 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $22.15 | $44.30 |
Estimated Tolls: $5.39
Garden State Parkway
(90 mi)
$5.39
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
$17
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.9 | 0 | $10.47 | $4.79 |
| Efficient EV | 24.9 | 0 | $8.72 | $3.99 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.9 | 0 | $13.96 | $6.38 |
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.
Destination
Ship Bottom, NJ
Evening in Ship Bottom on Sunday
Local time
6:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°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
12 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 8m 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 Clifton, NJ to Ship Bottom, NJ covers 99.7 miles and takes about 2h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, NJ 72, Garden State Parkway Southbound. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 49.8 miles from Clifton, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.50 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 17 significant decision points across 99.7 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 0.2 miles (Olga B Terrace): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.9 miles (CR 602 / Allwood Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Clifton, NJ to Ship Bottom, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Pemberton along the way.
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