Headline: Route 45 Lot in Mullica Hill Cleared for New Car‑Wash & Oil‑Change — What Drivers Off I‑295 Should Know
By Ari Williams | 295Times — News (Harrison)
A level, freshly cleared lot on Route 45 in Mullica Hill — right across from the Heritage convenience store — is set to become a car‑wash and oil‑change facility. For people who use I‑295 and local roads through Gloucester County, that’s the kind of small, practical development that quietly changes daily routines: a new stop for a quick wash, an oil change during the commute, and a source of short shifts and traffic impacts for nearby neighborhoods and businesses.
Where this sits on the map
Put simply: this is Route 45 (Kings Highway) in Mullica Hill, the commercial stretch most drivers know between the town center and the I‑295 corridor. A quick look on Google Maps shows the cleared parcel sits mid‑block along a retail strip — convenient for motorists coming off and onto Route 45, and within a short drive of I‑295. That location makes it more than just a neighborhood car wash: it will likely attract through‑traffic as well as regulars from surrounding subdivisions.
Why this matters to readers along I‑295 and nearby towns (including Harrison)
295Times readers follow stories tied to exits because roadway‑side businesses shape commute patterns, safety at junctions, and local economies. A car‑wash/oil‑change combo caters to drivers — people dropping off a car for service while grabbing groceries or making a run to nearby shops. For towns up and down I‑295, from Gloucester County to Hudson County, these are the types of developments that:
– Add convenience for motorists and fleets traveling the corridor.
– Create modest numbers of local jobs (service attendants, managers).
– Change traffic flows during peak hours (pick‑up/drop‑off queues, delivery trucks).
– Compete with—or complement—existing auto shops and independent car washes.
If you live in Harrison or elsewhere along the 295 corridor, you’ve probably seen the same dynamic: businesses that cater to road traffic cluster near exits and major cross streets. They can be an asset (convenience, jobs) and a planning challenge (turning lanes, stormwater management, noise).
What we know (and what’s still pending)
At this point the lot has been cleared and leveled — a clear sign the project is moving from concept toward construction. The 42Freeway photo that first circulated shows the vacant parcel and its proximity to the Heritage store. As of this writing no confirmed national brand has been announced publicly, and township permitting details have not been posted to municipal agendas that we can confirm. That means several things:
– The exact operator (local family business vs. regional chain) still matters for traffic and hours of operation.
– Site design — number of bays, entrance/exit points, and any stacking lanes — will determine how much the development affects Route 45 traffic.
– Stormwater and drainage plans, required landscaping, and lighting will be reviewed by the township planning board and county engineering offices.
How similar projects have played out locally
Regional reporting on comparable developments (see coverage on NJ.com and local Patch sites) shows a predictable mix of reactions: neighbors appreciate convenience and jobs, but they raise concerns about sightlines, stormwater runoff, and the extra trips generated by service businesses. On neighborhood apps and review platforms like Yelp, customers usually focus on service speed, price, and how well sites handle peak queues — not surprising for businesses designed around turnarounds.
Local businesses across the street could benefit
The lot’s position across from an established store creates cross‑traffic opportunities. A car wash that brings people into the plaza may spill customers into nearby restaurants and retailers; conversely, the added activity could make parking and curb access more competitive during busy times. For small operators already on Kings Highway, a new, professionally run facility could either draw customers away or help by bringing more overall footfall to the area.
Infrastructure and planning takeaways
Town planners and residents should be watching for a few key details as the project moves forward:
– Driveway design: Will the site require a new right‑turn lane or signal modifications to keep traffic flowing on Route 45?
– Stacking capacity: How many cars can wait without spilling onto Route 45?
– Environmental compliance: Are there adequate plans for stormwater detention and site drainage to avoid runoff into neighboring properties?
– Hours of operation and noise: Early morning or late‑night service can be disruptive in mixed residential/commercial corridors.
Next steps and how to keep track
We’ll be monitoring Gloucester Township and Mullica Hill planning board agendas for formal applications and engineering plans. If you want to track the site yourself, Google Maps is a useful way to see exact placement along Route 45; local reporting on NJ.com and Patch often follows these projects when they reach municipal hearings; and Yelp can give you a sense of customer expectations and common complaints for similar facilities.
Bottom line
This cleared lot on Route 45 is a small development with outsized relevance to drivers and nearby businesses along the I‑295 corridor. It’s the kind of project that quietly reshapes daily routines — a quick wash before a road trip, an oil change on the way to work, or an extra lunchtime stop that helps towns from Mullica Hill to Harrison capture more of the highway economy. For residents, the important conversations are about traffic, environmental safeguards, and how the new business will fit into the existing mix of stores and services.
If you use Route 45 or I‑295 regularly, or if you’re a local business owner, let us know what you think — convenience, competition, or concerns? Drop a comment on this post or email tips@295times.com and we’ll follow up as more details emerge.
