Major city · United States
ClarkClark, New Jersey
Skip Clark as a sightseeing stop: it is a business-and-suburb base 13 mi from Newark with one small museum. Stay only if work or family brings you, for 1 night.
Clark is a Union County suburb of about 15,000 people, 13 mi (21 km) southwest of Newark, founded in 1864 and named for Abraham Clark, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. It has no sightseeing core: one small historic house museum, a strip of big-box shops on Central Avenue, and a single hotel. Travellers come here for business, a wedding, or a cheap bed near Newark airport, then drive or take NJ Transit elsewhere. Treat it as a base, not a destination.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), Jan–Feb (ice and snow)
- Airports
- EWR · JFK · LGA
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Clark911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Clark, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyClark is a low-crime suburb and safe by US standards; the real issues are road traffic on the parkway and Route 1/9…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportEWR Newark Liberty International (Closest major airport, about 21 km (13 mi) northeast; taxi or rideshare 20–35 min outside rush hour, longer in it.).EWR Newark Liberty International (Closest major airport, about 13 mi (21 km) northeast; taxi or rideshare 20–35 min outside rush hour, longer in it.).
- Getting aroundA car is effectively required: the town is spread along Central Avenue and Raritan Road with no walkable centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- BeerDraught beer at a bar$6–9
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–30
- Budget bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$90
- Mid-range bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$130
- High-end bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$120 · High US$220
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- EWR Newark Liberty International (Closest major airport, about 21 km (13 mi) northeast; taxi or rideshare 20–35 min outside rush hour, longer in it.) · JFK John F. Kennedy International (About 56 km (35 mi) east; allow 1–1.5 h by car, more in traffic.) · LGA LaGuardia (About 48 km (30 mi) east; usually the slowest of the three by road.)EWR Newark Liberty International (Closest major airport, about 13 mi (21 km) northeast; taxi or rideshare 20–35 min outside rush hour, longer in it.) · JFK John F. Kennedy International (About 35 mi (56 km) east; allow 1–1.5 h by car, more in traffic.) · LGA LaGuardia (About 30 mi (48 km) east; usually the slowest of the three by road.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C) low), wettest May (10 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Clark: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
8 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
7 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is effectively required: the town is spread along Central Avenue and Raritan Road with no walkable centre. NJ Transit bus 112 runs from New York's Port Authority terminal to Clark; the nearest rail station is Garwood on the Raritan Valley Line, with connections to Newark Penn and New York Penn. Rent a car in Rahway if you need one.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Elizabeth
goDoor to door: About 30–45 min by car
Drive or NJ Transit rail via Garwood and a transfer
Outlet mall, port views and the closest real city feel.
Rahway
goDoor to door: About 15–20 min by car
Short drive south, or NJ Transit rail from Rahway station
Walkable downtown with restaurants and a rail link to New York.
Scotch Plains
cautionDoor to door: About 20–25 min by car
Drive northwest on local roads
Mostly residential; go only for a specific restaurant or event.
Summit
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min by car
Drive northwest, or rail via a transfer
Downtown shops and a direct rail line to New York.
Union, Union County
cautionDoor to door: About 20–30 min by car
Drive north on local roads
Suburban shopping and Kean University; not a sightseeing stop.
Linden, New Jersey
skipDoor to door: About 20–25 min by car
Drive northeast
Industrial and port area; little for a visitor.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Valley Road / Central Avenue
The practical choice: the town's main hotel sits here, with the shopping strip and chain restaurants within a short drive.
Nearby Rahway or Garwood
If Clark's one hotel is full or you want a walkable downtown and a train station, sleep one town over and drive in.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–200 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$180 | US$180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Rideshare EWR to Clark, one way1 × US$45 · check | US$45 |
| NJ Transit bus 112 from New York, one way2 × US$14 · check | US$28 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$52 |
| Trip total≈ US$288 per person per day, bed included | US$575 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax is added at checkout and is not included here. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Diner or casual lunch main | $12–20 |
| Thai or Chinese takeout main | $10–18 |
| Draught beer at a bar | $6–9 |
| Rideshare, 5 miHigher in surge pricing. | $15–25 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Sidewalks thin out away from the shopping areas; some stretches are dark and lonely at night — drive rather than walk.
- Rush hour on the Garden State Parkway and Route 1/9 near Exit 135 can double a short trip.
- The Robinson Plantation Museum opens only on selected Sundays and by appointment: check before you plan a visit.
- Winter ice and summer thunderstorms are the main seasonal hazards; there is no beach or waterfront here.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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ClarkClark, New Jersey
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Clark; consulates-general sit in New York City, about 25 mi (40 km) east.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Rideshare EWR → Clark: about $35–55, 20–35 min (check)
- NJ Transit bus 112, New York → Clark: about $14, roughly 1 h (check)
- NJ Transit rail, Garwood → New York Penn: about $11–14, roughly 1 h (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Excuse me — Excuse me
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the toilet?
- To this address, please — To this address, please
Tipping is expected in the US: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Clark. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), Jan–Feb (ice and snow) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for EWR: taxi and rideshare bands by time of day, plus the last NJ Transit bus 112 departure.
- Walking-cluster map for Central Avenue and Raritan Road with lighting and crossing notes.
- Place page for the Dr. William Robinson Plantation Museum with confirmed open Sundays and appointment rules.
- Eat pages for the Central Avenue and Raritan Road strips with last orders and card-or-cash notes.
Sources
- officialClark Township official site
- officialDr. William Robinson Plantation Museum
- officialNJ Transit
- officialNewark Liberty International Airport
- secondaryWikivoyage: Clark, revision 5298468 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Clark
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