Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge
Near the start, right off the route
Union, New Jersey
Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm
+19083966401
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 12m
Distance
104.4 mi
168 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
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.
Clifton, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Bass River, NJ
cottonbro studio
The drive from Clifton, NJ to Bass River, NJ covers 104.4 miles and takes about 2h 12m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Garden State Parkway, Garden State Parkway Southbound, East Greenbush Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 94.8 miles on Garden State Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.31 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.2 miles from Clifton, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 12m. Total distance: 104.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 2h 12m highway drive covering 104.4 miles, with most of the trip on Garden State Parkway and Garden State Parkway Southbound. The longest continuous stretch is about 94.8 miles on Garden State Parkway.
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 around 0.2 miles in near Olga B Terrace.
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 104.4 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn right onto Olga B Terrace
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
At end of road, turn right onto CR 602 / Allwood Road
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward NJ 3 West, GSP South
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward GSP South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward New Gretna
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 94.8 mi | 1h 55m |
| Garden State Parkway Southbound | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| East Greenbush Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Clifton Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| US 9 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Allwood Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Donna Drive | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Olga B Terrace | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton, NJ and Bass River, NJ.
Start on Holly Street
Turn left onto Donna Drive
At end of road, turn right onto Olga B Terrace
Turn right onto Hutton Road
Turn left onto Olga B Terrace
Turn left onto NJ 161
At end of road, turn right onto CR 602
Take the ramp
Merge onto NJ 3
Take the exit
Merge onto GSP
Continue on Garden State Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
Take the exit
At end of road, turn left onto CR 654
At end of road, turn right onto US 9
Turn left onto Allens Dock Road
Arrive at destination
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 23 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.2 miles or 1h 9m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bass River, NJ than in the middle of the route.
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 104.4 miles and 2h 12m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 52.2 mi from Clifton, NJ · 1h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
52 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 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 52.2 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 94.8 miles.
The final approach into Bass River, 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 Bass River, NJ.
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
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm
+19083966401
Oasis Restaurant
Cranford, New Jersey
Restaurant Lorena's
Maplewood, New Jersey
Top Coffee Stop
Montclair, New Jersey
Near the start, short detour
Hours: 7:30 am–5:30 pm
+19733586543
Near the start, right off the route
Union, New Jersey
Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm
+19083966401
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Cranford, New Jersey
Hours: 12–9:30 pm
+19089676161
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Maplewood, New Jersey
Hours: 11 am–11 pm
+19737634460
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Toms River, New Jersey
Hours: 5–9 pm
+17322553323
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, ~9 min detour
Staten Island, New York
Hours: 12–9 pm
+17182277200
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Hours: 10:30 am–12 pm
+19083544024
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
South Orange Village, New Jersey
Hours: 12–3 pm
+19737624440
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Rutherford, New Jersey
Hours: 5–8:30 pm
+19737213404
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Montclair, New Jersey
Hours: 7:30 am–5:30 pm
+19733586543
Visit websiteNear the end, ~10 min detour
Manahawkin, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–4 pm
+16095495775
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Union, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Union, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18885577099
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Tinton Falls, NJ
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Union, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Tinton Falls, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18665761495
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Belleville, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Tinton Falls, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18774943833
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Bloomfield, NJ
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Perth Amboy, New Jersey
+17326979500
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Cranford, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+19085274900
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Staten Island, New York
+17189846046
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Harrison, NJ
Hours: Open 24 hours
+12012175482
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Woodbridge, New Jersey
Hours: 6 am–6 pm
+17327453900
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Newark, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+19739005800
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Staten Island, New York
+17182278300
Visit websiteNear the start, ~10 min detour
Springfield, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+19085274900
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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Regular Gas
$17.31 one way
$34.62 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $18.96 | $37.91 |
| premium | $4.93 | $20.25 | $40.49 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.05 | $46.10 |
Estimated Tolls: $6.05
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
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.3 | 0 | $10.96 | $5.01 |
| Efficient EV | 26.1 | 0 | $9.14 | $4.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41.8 | 0 | $14.62 | $6.68 |
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Clifton on Friday
Local time
3:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Bass River on Friday
Local time
3:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
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
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.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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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