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Trip from Byram, NJ to Clifton, NJ

Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026

Drive Time

1h 38m

Distance

70.3 mi

113 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
1h 31m ★
6 AM
1h 38m
8 AM
1h 53m
10 AM
1h 44m
12 PM
1h 42m
3 PM
1h 44m
5 PM
1h 52m
8 PM
1h 34m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Byram, NJ, NJ

Byram, NJ

Malcolm Garret

city in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States

Clifton, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 70.3-mile drive from Byram, NJ, to Clifton, NJ, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 38 minutes to complete. Primarily following major arteries like I 287 and US 202, with a segment on Sergeantsville Road, this route keeps you moving. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, it's an economical option for a quick excursion. The majority of this journey is on highways, making it a straightforward path through New Jersey's Northeast region. You won't need to break this drive into multiple days; it's designed for a single, efficient journey.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

35.1 miles from Byram, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive for this trip, with 63% of the route utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 23.6 miles on I 287, offering a period of consistent speed. While much of the drive is on faster roads, there are also sections that incorporate local routes like Sergeantsville Road, providing some variation. This blend means you'll experience both the efficiency of interstate travel and the slightly different pace of more direct, albeit still significant, roadways.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 287 is the longest continuous segment at about 23.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 287 and US 202. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 15.1 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70.3 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 15.1 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 53.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
15.1 mi into trip | ~26m in

Enter roundabout

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

8
53.8 mi into trip | ~1h 16m in

Take the exit toward I 80 East: Smith Road, New York City

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 41A Toward I 80 East: Smith Road, New York City
8
54 mi into trip | ~1h 16m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: New York City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 41A Toward I 80 East: New York City
8
63.6 mi into trip | ~1h 27m in

Take the exit toward US 46 East: Wayne, Clifton, Lincoln Tunnel

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 53 Toward US 46 East: Wayne, Clifton, Lincoln Tunn...
7
68.6 mi into trip | ~1h 34m in

Take the exit toward Grove Street, Van Houten Avenue, Clifton, Passaic

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward Grove Street, Van Houten Avenue, Clifton...

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Byram, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward Morristown and New York City.

Morristown

29.8 mi in | ~47m

New York City

53.8 mi in | ~1h 16m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 287 23.6 mi 28m
US 202 14.5 mi 20m
Sergeantsville Road 8.6 mi 14m
Christopher Columbus Highway 7.3 mi 7m
Daniel Bray Highway 4.6 mi 8m
US 46 4.5 mi 5m
Interstate 80 East 1.9 mi 2m
Van Houten Avenue 0.8 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 287 — 23.6 mi, about 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Byram, NJ and Clifton, NJ.

1

Start on NJ 29

0.4 mi · 42 sec · River Drive
2

Continue on NJ 29

4.6 mi · 8 min · Daniel Bray Highway
3

Turn left onto CR 523

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Stockton-Flemington Road
4

Continue on CR 523

8.6 mi · 14 min · Sergeantsville Road
5

Continue on CR 523

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Sergeantsville-Flemington Road
6

Enter roundabout onto NJ 12

52 ft · 1 sec · Frenchtown-Flemington Road
7

Continue on NJ 12

0.4 mi · 47 sec · Frenchtown-Flemington Road
8

Continue on NJ 12

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Parker Avenue
9

Enter roundabout onto NJ 12

303 ft · 5 sec · Packer Avenue
10

Continue on NJ 12

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Packer Avenue
11

Enter roundabout

384 ft · 7 sec
12

Continue

0.2 mi · 23 sec
13

Merge onto US 202

14 mi · 20 min · US 202
Use the straight lane.
14

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Toward I 287 North: Netcong, Morristown
15

Merge onto I 287

24 mi · 28 min · I 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Exit 41A Toward I 80 East: Smith Road, New York City Use the slight right lane.
17

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Exit 41A Toward I 80 East: New York City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Continue on I 80E

1.9 mi · 2 min · Interstate 80 East
19

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward I 80 East: Paterson, New York City
20

Merge onto I 80

7.3 mi · 7 min · Christopher Columbus Highway
21

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 59 sec
Exit 53 Toward US 46 East: Wayne, Clifton, Lincoln Tunnel Use the slight right lane.
22

Merge onto US 46

2.1 mi · 2 min · US 46
23

Continue on US 46

2.4 mi · 2 min · US 46
Use the straight / right lanes.
24

Take the exit

452 ft · 16 sec
Toward Grove Street, Van Houten Avenue, Clifton, Passaic Use the slight right lane.
25

At end of road, turn right onto CR 623

179 ft · 9 sec · Grove Street
26

Turn left onto CR 614

0.8 mi · 1 min · Van Houten Avenue
Use the left lane.
27

Turn right onto NJ 161

0.3 mi · 46 sec · Clifton Avenue
28

Turn left onto St James Place

0.1 mi · 31 sec · St James Place
29

Turn right onto Donna Drive

522 ft · 28 sec · Donna Drive
30

Turn left onto Holly Street

516 ft · 22 sec · Holly Street
31

Arrive at destination

Holly Street

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 38 minutes, this route offers a good deal of flexibility for departure times. You can easily complete this drive in a single day, so there's no need to plan for overnight stays. With a fuel cost of around $12, budgeting is straightforward. Keep an eye on traffic conditions, especially as you approach the Clifton area, as congestion can build. A practical tip is to be mindful of the transition from I 287 to US 202, as this is where you'll start to see a change in the road's character.

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 35.1 miles from Byram, NJ, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.6 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 15 miles or 26m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 35.1 miles or 53m 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 23m

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 Byram, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Byram, NJ

This is one driving day of about 70.3 miles and 1h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Byram, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 287 for about 23.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 35.1 mi from Byram, NJ · 53m into the drive

township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hillsborough, NJ

35 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Flemington, NJ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bedminster, NJ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 35.1 miles from Byram, 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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.65 one way

$23.31 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 25 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $12.76 $25.53
premium $4.93 $13.63 $27.27
diesel $5.61 $15.52 $31.04

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 24.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 21.1 0 $7.38 $3.37
Efficient EV 17.6 0 $6.15 $2.81
EV Truck/SUV 28.1 0 $9.84 $4.50

Gas CO2

25 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (68% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Byram, NJ

Evening in Byram on Wednesday

Local time

5:28 PM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clifton, NJ

Evening in Clifton on Wednesday

Local time

5:28 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°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

1h 38m 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 Byram, NJ to Clifton, NJ covers 70.3 miles and takes about 1h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 287, US 202, Sergeantsville Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35.1 miles from Byram, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.65 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 70.3 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 15.1 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 53.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Byram, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward Morristown and New York City.

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