Oasis Restaurant
Near the end, short detour
Cranford, New Jersey
Hours: 12–9:30 pm
+19089676161
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 37m
Distance
126.7 mi
204 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
82 DC fast
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Salem, NJ
David Kanigan
Clifton, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Salem, NJ to Clifton, NJ covers 126.7 miles and takes about 2h 37m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, South Broadway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 90 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.01 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.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
63.3 miles from Salem, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike | 90 mi | 1h 43m |
| Garden State Parkway | 22.2 mi | 30m |
| South Broadway | 7.8 mi | 9m |
| Allwood Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| West Broadway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Clifton Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| West Passaic Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| East Passaic Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Salem, NJ and Clifton, NJ.
Start on NJ 49
Turn right onto NJ 49
Continue on NJ 49
Continue on NJ 49
Continue on NJ 49
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Old Pennsville-Auburn Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto NJTP; US 40
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Merge onto NJTP
Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto 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 602
Continue on CR 602
Turn right onto NJ 161
Turn right onto Olga B Terrace
Turn right onto Hutton Road
Turn left onto Olga B Terrace
Turn left onto Donna Drive
Turn right onto Holly Street
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 28 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.3 miles or 1h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clifton, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Salem, 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 Salem, NJ
This is one driving day of about 126.7 miles and 2h 37m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
63 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 63.3 miles from Salem, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before New Jersey Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 90 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
Cranford, New Jersey
Near the end, short detour
Hours: 12–9:30 pm
+19089676161
Amsterdam Alley Bar & Restaurant
Linden, New Jersey
Idea Asian Restaurant
Clarksboro, New Jersey
Top Coffee Stop
Montclair, New Jersey
Near the end, short detour
Hours: 7:30 am–5:30 pm
+19733586543
Near the end, short detour
Cranford, New Jersey
Hours: 12–9:30 pm
+19089676161
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Linden, New Jersey
Hours: 12 pm–12 am
+19089254166
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Clarksboro, New Jersey
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+18565991668
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Swedesboro, New Jersey
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+18564671570
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Mt Laurel Township, New Jersey
Hours: 12–9 pm
+18564391941
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
South Orange Village, New Jersey
Hours: 12–3 pm
+19737624440
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Blackwood, New Jersey
Hours: 11 am–11 pm
+18563025675
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Dayton, New Jersey
Hours: 12–3 pm
+17323331199
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Montclair, New Jersey
Hours: 7:30 am–5:30 pm
+19733586543
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Cranbury, NJ
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Clark, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18774943833
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Robbinsville Twp, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Perth Amboy, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18774943833
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Newark, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Kearny, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Edison, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Edison, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18774943833
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Woodbridge, New Jersey
Hours: 6 am–6 pm
+17327453900
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Cranford, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+19085274900
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey
Hours: 4–9 pm
+16092005690
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Mt Ephraim, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
Near the end, short detour
Newark, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+19739005800
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey
Hours: 12:30–11 pm
+18563246417
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Haddonfield, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+16093136648
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Perth Amboy, New Jersey
+17326979500
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.8 and 123.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward US 40 East, NJTP: Hook Road, Atlantic City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward GSP North: Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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
Regular Gas
$21.01 one way
$42.01 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $23.01 | $46.01 |
| premium | $4.93 | $24.57 | $49.14 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.97 | $55.95 |
Estimated Tolls: $13.93
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
$21
Tolls
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
82 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Tesla Supercharger
Hamilton Township, New Jersey
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Maplewood, New Jersey
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Kearny, New Jersey
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
New Castle, Delaware
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Cranbury, NJ
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Robbinsville Twp, New Jersey
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Hamilton Township, New Jersey
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Monroe Township, New Jersey
1 DCFC
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38 | 0 | $13.30 | $6.08 |
| Efficient EV | 31.7 | 0 | $11.09 | $5.07 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.7 | 0 | $17.74 | $8.11 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Salem on Saturday
Local time
2:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Clifton on Saturday
Local time
2:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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This is a 2h 37m highway drive covering 126.7 miles, with most of the trip on New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 90 miles on New Jersey Turnpike.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.8 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 126.7 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 8.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.3 miles (NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 99.7 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 Salem, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward Atlantic City, Gsp and Woodbridge.
Atlantic City
Gsp
Woodbridge
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 37m. Total distance: 126.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
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