Audubon, NJ to Clifton, NJ is 93.2 miles and takes about 2h 1m via New Jersey Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive entirely within New Jersey, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Given its relatively short duration and focus on major roadways, it’s a practical option for a single-day trip. You'll primarily be on major toll roads, so be prepared for those expenses. This route is ideal if you need to get from South Jersey to North Jersey efficiently without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.6 miles from Audubon, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 58m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 1m. Total distance: 93.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is defined by its highway-focused profile, with 91% of the journey on major roads. You'll spend a significant amount of time on the New Jersey Turnpike, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 55.9 miles. Expect a consistent driving experience characterized by fast speeds and the typical flow of interstate traffic. While primarily a highway drive, be aware that transitions between these main roads can still involve tolls and varying traffic conditions. The character remains largely consistent, prioritizing direct travel over scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
New Jersey Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 55.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 8.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 27 significant decision points across 93.2 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 8.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 66.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 27 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
8.7 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward NJ 73 South: Berlin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 36A
Toward NJ 73 South: Berlin
7
9.7 mi into trip|~15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJTP North: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward NJTP North: New York
8
66.2 mi into trip|~1h 21m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 11
Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbri...
7
66.7 mi into trip|~1h 22m in
Keep slight right at fork toward GSP North: Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward GSP North: Garden State Parkway
8
89.6 mi into trip|~1h 54m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 151
Toward Montclair, Nutley
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Audubon, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York, Gsp and Woodbridge.
Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike
9.2 mi in|~13m
Njtp North: New York
9.7 mi in|~15m
Gsp
66.2 mi in|~1h 21m
Woodbridge
66.2 mi in|~1h 21m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
55.9 mi
1h 4m
Garden State Parkway
22.2 mi
30m
I 295
6.2 mi
7m
White Horse Pike
1.1 mi
2m
Allwood Road
1 mi
1m
Wyoming Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Clifton Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
West Passaic Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 55.9 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Audubon, NJ and Clifton, NJ.
1
Start on West Graisbury Avenue
469 ft·25 sec·West Graisbury Avenue
2
Turn left onto CR 653
0.5 mi·1 min·Wyoming Avenue
3
At end of road, turn left onto CR 551 Spur; CR 653
0.4 mi·39 sec·Kings Highway
4
Turn right onto US 30
1.1 mi·2 min·White Horse Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the exit
338 ft·15 sec
6
Turn left onto CR 666
234 ft·3 sec·Copley Road
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 295 North: Trenton
8
Merge onto I 295
6.2 mi·7 min·I 295
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 36AToward NJ 73 South: BerlinUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto NJ 73
0.2 mi·18 sec·NJ 73
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJTP: New Jersey Turnpike
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJTP North: New YorkUse the straight / right lanes.
13
Merge onto NJTP
15 mi·16 min·New Jersey Turnpike
14
Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP
41 mi·47 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 11Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, WoodbridgeUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward GSP North: Garden State ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto GSP
22 mi·30 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 151Toward Montclair, NutleyUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn right onto CR 655
483 ft·15 sec·Watchung Avenue
20
At end of road, turn left onto CR 652
0.4 mi·45 sec·East Passaic Avenue
21
Turn right onto CR 622
0.5 mi·52 sec·West Passaic Avenue
22
Turn left onto CR 622
411 ft·7 sec·Darling Avenue
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on CR 622
0.4 mi·37 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Enter roundabout onto CR 602
261 ft·4 sec·Allwood Road
25
Continue on CR 602
1.0 mi·1 min·Allwood Road
26
Turn right onto NJ 161
0.5 mi·1 min·Clifton Avenue
27
Turn right onto Olga B Terrace
174 ft·9 sec·Olga B Terrace
28
Turn right onto Hutton Road
39 ft·6 sec·Hutton Road
29
Turn left onto Olga B Terrace
441 ft·25 sec·Olga B Terrace
30
Turn left onto Donna Drive
0.1 mi·33 sec·Donna Drive
31
Turn right onto Holly Street
516 ft·22 sec·Holly Street
32
Arrive at destination
Holly Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour drive time, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Consider departing outside of peak rush hour times in both the Philadelphia metro area and North Jersey to avoid the heaviest congestion. With a longest stretch of 55.9 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike, plan your fuel stops accordingly, though you'll likely only need one fill-up or less for this distance. The $15 fuel cost estimate is helpful for budgeting. Keep an eye out for toll plazas, as they are a constant feature of this route and can add time if you're not prepared with an E-ZPass or cash.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 46.6 miles from Audubon, NJ, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.9 miles.
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 21 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.6 miles or 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clifton, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Audubon, 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 Audubon, NJ
This is one driving day of about 93.2 miles and 2h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Audubon, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New Jersey Turnpike for about 55.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 46.6 mi from Audubon, NJ
· 58m into the drive
The midpoint is around 46.5 miles from Audubon, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Clifton, NJ
The final approach into Clifton, NJ usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Clifton, NJ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Thomas Edison National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Today, the brick buildings on Main Street in West Orange, NJ seem quiet, betraying little evidence of the research, development, and innovation of their heyday. Visitors can step back in time to Thoma...
Silk cloth and steam locomotives; textiles and continuous paper rolls; firearms and aircraft engines. What do these things have in common? All were manufactured in the same place - Paterson, NJ. In 17...
Morristown National Historical Park commemorates the sites of General Washington and the Continental Army’s winter encampment from December 1779 to June 1780, where soldiers survived the coldest winte...
Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 80.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.45 one way
$30.90 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$16.92
$33.85
premium
$4.93
$18.07
$36.15
diesel
$5.61
$20.58
$41.15
Estimated Tolls: $9.16
New Jersey Turnpike
(55.9 mi)$7.83
Garden State Parkway
(22.2 mi)$1.33
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
$15
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28
0
$9.79
$4.47
Efficient EV
23.3
0
$8.16
$3.73
EV Truck/SUV
37.3
0
$13.05
$5.96
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (67% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Audubon, NJ
Morning
in Audubon on Saturday
Local time
11:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clifton, NJ
Morning
in Clifton on Saturday
Local time
11:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
17 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 1m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Audubon, NJ to Clifton, NJ covers 93.2 miles and takes about 2h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, I 295. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 46.6 miles from Audubon, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.45 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 93.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 66.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Audubon, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York, Gsp and Woodbridge.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
