If you’ve ever found yourself white-knuckling a steering wheel while merging onto the Parkway in Union County, you know Exit 135. It’s not just a ramp. It’s basically the heartbeat of Clark, New Jersey, and a major nerve center for anyone trying to navigate the messy transition between the Parkway and Central Avenue. Honestly, it’s one of those exits where you either know exactly which lane you need to be in three miles ahead of time, or you end up halfway to Perth Amboy before you can blink.
Exit 135 Garden State Parkway NJ is weird. Most exits are just a way to get off the highway, but this one feels like a destination because of what sits right on top of it. You’ve got the massive ShopRite that everyone in the surrounding three towns seems to visit at the exact same time on Sunday morning. You’ve got the Target. You’ve got the kind of suburban sprawl that makes New Jersey both incredibly convenient and deeply frustrating during rush hour.
It’s busy. Like, really busy.
Why Exit 135 Garden State Parkway NJ Is Such a Bottleneck
Traffic here is legendary. If you’re heading Northbound, you’re exiting into a swirl of commuters coming from Rahway, Westfield, and Cranford. The geometry of the exit is a bit of a headache because it dumps you onto Central Avenue, which is a major artery. When the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) looks at congestion maps, this area often glows a bright, angry red.
Why? Because it serves too many masters. It’s the primary exit for the Clark Commons shopping center, which changed the local landscape forever when it opened about a decade ago. Before the Commons, Exit 135 was a bit sleepy. Now? It’s a retail powerhouse. You have people coming from the Parkway North and South, plus local traffic from the surrounding neighborhoods, all converging on a few sets of traffic lights that feel like they stay red for an eternity.
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The interchange itself has undergone various "tweak" projects over the years. We’ve seen lane re-striping and signal timing changes, but the fundamental reality is that the volume of cars often exceeds the capacity of the asphalt. Locals will tell you to avoid it between 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM unless you really, really need a specific type of artisanal cheese from the Whole Foods just down the road.
Navigating the Northbound vs. Southbound Split
Getting off at Exit 135 Garden State Parkway NJ is a different experience depending on which way you’re traveling. Northbound, you’re often dealing with the "Westfield creep"—that slow crawl of cars heading toward the more affluent zip codes to the north. Southbound, the exit is a bit smoother but puts you right in the line of fire for the Clark circle (which isn't really a circle anymore, but people still call it that because Jersey habits die hard).
One thing to watch out for is the signage. If you aren't paying attention, it's easy to miss the transition toward Rahway.
The Clark Commons Effect
You can't talk about this exit without talking about the massive retail development that sits right there. The Clark Commons basically turned Exit 135 into a regional hub. It’s got everything: Marshalls, Michaels, Ulta, and a bunch of eateries like Chipotle and Panera. It’s convenient as heck, but it’s also the reason why the Saturday afternoon traffic is sometimes worse than the Tuesday morning commute.
The developer, Dash Design, and the various contractors who built the site had to work closely with the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (which runs the Parkway) to ensure the influx of shoppers wouldn't literally break the highway. They added turning lanes. They synchronized lights. It helped, but only sort of.
The real secret? If you’re coming from the south and just want to get to the shops, sometimes taking Exit 136 and doubling back through the local streets of Cranford or Winfield Park is faster. It sounds counterintuitive. It is. But that’s New Jersey driving for you.
Local Landmarks and Survival Tips
If you find yourself stuck at the light on the off-ramp, look around. You’re in one of the most densely populated parts of the state. To your east is Rahway, a city that has seen a massive "renaissance" with luxury apartments and a thriving arts scene. To your west is the heart of Clark, a town that fiercely protects its suburban identity.
- The ShopRite Factor: This isn't just a grocery store; it’s a landmark. The Clark ShopRite is massive and serves as the anchor for the entire Exit 135 ecosystem.
- The Hyatt Hills Golf Course: Believe it or not, there’s a golf course right there. You can literally see the Parkway from some of the holes. It’s a 9-hole course that offers a weirdly serene break from the chaotic hum of the highway just yards away.
- Gas Prices: Usually, the gas stations right off Exit 135 are a few cents more expensive than if you drive two miles into Rahway or Linden. If your tank is bone dry, hit the Exxon, but if you can wait, keep driving.
Safety and Construction Realities
Look, the Parkway is old. Parts of it date back to the 1940s and 50s, and while Exit 135 has been modernized, it still carries the DNA of an older road system. The merge lanes can feel short. The "Jersey Slide"—where someone crosses three lanes of traffic to make the exit at the last second—is a common sight here.
According to data often cited by the New Jersey State Police, the stretches of the Parkway through Union and Middlesex counties are among the busiest in the world. Accidents at Exit 135 usually involve fender benders at the bottom of the ramps because people are looking at their GPS instead of the car in front of them.
Is there more construction coming?
There’s always construction on the Parkway. It’s the state religion. While there isn't a massive "total reconstruction" of Exit 135 on the immediate 2026 calendar, the Turnpike Authority is constantly working on bridge deck repairs and "intelligent transportation systems" (those overhead signs that tell you how many minutes it'll take to get to the Driscoll Bridge).
How to Handle Exit 135 Like a Pro
If you have to use Exit 135 Garden State Parkway NJ regularly, you need a strategy. Don't just wing it.
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First, get your E-ZPass ready. While there isn't a toll specifically at the exit ramp like some other spots, the tolls just north and south of here (like the Union Toll Plaza) move a lot faster if you aren't tucked behind someone searching for loose change in their center console.
Second, use Waze. Not because you don't know where you're going, but because Waze will tell you if there’s a stalled car on the Exit 135 ramp five minutes before you see it. That five-minute warning is the difference between getting home for dinner and eating a lukewarm protein bar while staring at someone’s brake lights.
Third, understand the "Linden Loophole." If Exit 135 is backed up all the way onto the main Parkway lanes, you can sometimes jump off at Exit 131 (Woodbridge/Iselin) or Exit 130 and take Route 1 North. It’s grittier, and there are more lights, but at least you’re moving.
The Future of the Exit
As hybrid work remains a thing, the "peak" hours have shifted slightly, but the sheer volume of people living in Clark, Rahway, and Winfield means Exit 135 isn't getting a break anytime soon. There’s been talk among local planners about improving pedestrian access around the exit—since right now, trying to walk across Central Avenue near the ramps is basically a daredevil stunt—but cars remain king here.
Honestly, Exit 135 is a microcosm of New Jersey. It’s crowded, it’s a little stressful, but it gets you exactly where you need to be if you know how to handle it. It’s the gateway to suburban convenience.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Trip
Stop stressing about the merge. Most people are just trying to get to Target or get home. If you want the smoothest experience possible at Exit 135 Garden State Parkway NJ, follow these steps:
- Check the "Union Toll Plaza" sensors on the 511NJ website before you leave. If the toll plaza is backed up, Exit 135 will be a nightmare shortly after.
- Stay in the right-center lane if you're Northbound. The far-right lane sometimes gets trapped by people making sudden moves into the Clark Commons entrance.
- Time your grocery runs. If you're hitting the Clark ShopRite off the exit, go Tuesday nights after 8:00 PM. The parking lot is a ghost town compared to the Saturday rush.
- Explore the Rahway side. Everyone turns toward Clark, but if you head toward Rahway, there are incredible local spots like The Waiting Room or various spots in the downtown district that are way less hectic than the mall food.
- Keep your eyes up. The transition from highway speeds to the 35 mph limit on Central Avenue happens fast, and local police are very aware of that fact.
Exit 135 isn't the enemy. It's just a busy place that requires a little bit of Jersey "road sense" to navigate without losing your mind. Stay alert, pick your lane early, and maybe grab a coffee once you finally get off the ramp. You’ve earned it.
Next Steps for Your Commute:
Check the real-time traffic cameras at the Exit 135 interchange via the NJDOT's official 511NJ portal before you put the car in drive. If the Northbound ramp is showing a dark red line, consider taking Route 27 or Route 1 as your primary bypass to save at least 15 minutes of idling time.