Finding a place to crash near New York City without paying Manhattan prices is a total gamble. You know how it goes. You see a low price on a booking site, the photos look "fine," and then you show up to find out the "fine" was actually a filter from 2012. If you’re looking at La Quinta Inn New Jersey Clifton, you’re likely in that exact headspace. You want a bed, you want to be close to the Lincoln Tunnel, and you’d really prefer not to deal with bedbugs or a broken elevator.
Honestly, it's a mixed bag.
This specific property, located right on Route 3 East, is basically a landmark for commuters. It’s been there forever. Some people swear by it because it’s one of the few spots in the area that doesn’t feel like a total rip-off, while others find the aging infrastructure a bit too much to handle. It's not the Ritz. It’s not even a "fancy" La Quinta. It is a utility hotel.
The Location Reality Check on Route 3
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the traffic. If you’ve never driven in Northern Jersey, specifically the stretch of Route 3 where the La Quinta Inn New Jersey Clifton sits, you’re in for a treat. And by treat, I mean a potential headache. The hotel is situated in a high-density commercial corridor.
You’ve got the Meadowlands nearby. MetLife Stadium is just a few miles down the road. This makes the hotel a massive magnet for Giants and Jets fans during the season. If there’s a concert or a game, this place fills up fast. But here is the thing—Route 3 is a beast. Getting in and out of the parking lot requires a bit of Jersey-style aggression because the merge lanes are short and people drive like they’re qualifying for Daytona.
However, the location is unbeatable for foodies who don’t want to go far. You are literally a stone's throw from the Tick Tock Diner. It’s iconic. It’s shiny. The menu is forty pages long. If the hotel breakfast doesn't do it for you (and sometimes it won't), walking or taking a 30-second drive to the Tick Tock is the move. You also have a Trader Joe’s and a bunch of shopping centers within a five-minute radius. Convenience is the primary selling point here.
What’s Actually Inside?
Inside, the La Quinta Inn New Jersey Clifton feels like a time capsule of mid-2000s hospitality. It’s clean, mostly. Wyndham (the parent company) has done some work to keep things updated, but you can still feel the age in the bones of the building. The hallways have that specific "hotel carpet" smell—a mix of industrial cleaner and a hint of dust.
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- The Rooms: They are surprisingly spacious. That’s the benefit of older builds; they didn't try to cram 500 rooms into a tiny footprint. You get a desk, usually a microwave and a mini-fridge (which is a lifesaver for leftovers), and a TV that works most of the time.
- The Beds: Hit or miss. Some guests report the mattresses are firm and supportive, while others feel like they’re sleeping on a marshmallow that’s seen better days.
- Pet Policy: This is where La Quinta usually wins. They are famously pet-friendly. If you’re traveling with a dog, this is one of the few spots in the Clifton area that won’t give you a hard time about it, though there might be a small fee depending on your specific booking.
The "Bright Side Breakfast" is included. It’s standard fare: waffles you make yourself, some hard-boiled eggs, cereal, and coffee that is strong enough to wake the dead but won't win any barista awards. It gets the job done. If you're expecting an omelet station, you're at the wrong hotel.
Commuting to New York City
Most people stay here to save $200 a night compared to staying in Times Square. Is it worth the commute?
Yes, but only if you have a plan. The La Quinta Inn New Jersey Clifton is roughly 10-12 miles from Midtown Manhattan. On a Sunday morning with no traffic, you can be through the Lincoln Tunnel in 15 minutes. On a Tuesday morning at 8:00 AM? Good luck. You’re looking at 45 to 60 minutes of stop-and-go misery.
There is a bus stop nearby (NJ Transit Route 190 or 192) that takes you straight to the Port Authority Bus Terminal. It’s cheap. It’s relatively reliable. But you have to be comfortable navigating the NJ Transit system, which isn't always intuitive for first-timers. If you’re taking an Uber into the city, be prepared to pay anywhere from $40 to $90 depending on surge pricing and tolls.
The Noise Factor
You are on a highway. A major one.
If you are a light sleeper, ask for a room on the back side of the building. The rooms facing Route 3 get a constant hum of tires on asphalt. It’s like white noise for some, but for others, it’s a dealbreaker. The walls are also a bit thin. You might hear your neighbor’s TV or the plumbing in the room above you. Bring earplugs. Seriously.
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What People Get Wrong About This Hotel
There’s a misconception that because it’s a "budget" option, it’s unsafe or "sketchy." That’s not really the case with the La Quinta Inn New Jersey Clifton. It’s a busy, corporate-owned property. You’ll see a lot of business travelers, families on road trips, and crews working on local construction projects. It’s a high-traffic area, which actually makes it feel safer than some secluded motels further off the main drag.
The real "danger" here is just the wear and tear. You might find a loose faucet handle or a carpet stain. It’s the kind of place where you check the corners of the room when you walk in, satisfy yourself that it’s been vacuumed, and then just get on with your life.
Navigating the Booking Process
Don't just walk in. The rates at the La Quinta Inn New Jersey Clifton fluctuate wildly based on what’s happening at the Meadowlands. If there’s a BTS concert or a major NFL game, the price can double.
- Check the MetLife Schedule: Before you book, see if there's a major event. If there is, stay somewhere else further north or west to avoid the price hike.
- Join Wyndham Rewards: Even if you don't stay at Wyndhams often, it usually gets you a lower "member rate" and occasionally a later checkout.
- Third-Party vs. Direct: Sometimes Expedia is cheaper, but if something goes wrong (like a double booking), the hotel staff often has their hands tied. Booking direct gives you more leverage if you need to switch rooms because the AC is rattling.
Actionable Tips for Your Stay
If you’ve already booked or are about to hit "confirm," here is how to make the stay actually decent.
First, call the front desk about two hours before you arrive. Ask if they have any rooms available away from the elevator and the highway. These are the "quiet" rooms, and they go first.
Second, check your AC unit as soon as you drop your bags. These wall-mounted units in older hotels are notorious for either freezing over or just blowing lukewarm air. Better to find out at 4:00 PM than at midnight when you’re trying to sleep.
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Third, if you’re heading to the city, download the NJ Transit app ahead of time. Buying tickets on the bus is a pain, and the app lets you track the bus in real-time so you aren't standing out on the side of a highway for 20 minutes in the rain.
The La Quinta Inn New Jersey Clifton isn't going to be the highlight of your trip. It’s not meant to be. It’s a place to recharge between your Jersey adventures or NYC excursions. Treat it as a home base, keep your expectations realistic, and you’ll find it serves its purpose perfectly well without draining your bank account.
Make sure to double-check the current parking situation upon arrival. While parking is generally free and plentiful, they sometimes implement tighter controls during peak event weekends at the stadium to prevent non-guests from poaching spots. Always put the tag they give you on your rearview mirror to avoid any towing headaches in the middle of the night.
If you need a late-night snack, skip the vending machines. There’s a 24-hour convenience store about a three-minute drive away, and of course, the aforementioned diner is always an option. The area is dense enough that you’re never truly stuck without options, which is the biggest perk of staying in this specific slice of Clifton.
Plan your exit strategy for check-out day. Getting back onto Route 3 West involves a series of jug-handles and U-turns that can be confusing if you’re just following a GPS blindly. Take a look at the map before you put the car in gear so you aren't stuck circling the block three times trying to find the right ramp.
Next Steps for Travelers:
- Check the MetLife Stadium event calendar to ensure your stay doesn't coincide with a 50,000-person surge in local traffic.
- Verify the current pet fee policy directly with the Clifton property if you are bringing a dog, as these can change seasonally.
- Download the NJ Transit mobile app and create an account to streamline your commute into the Port Authority Bus Terminal.