Origin
Clifton, NJ
Evening in Clifton on Sunday
Local time
8:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clifton, NJ to Atlantic City, NJ
Drive Time
2h 39m
Distance
127.5 mi
205 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 29m
★
6 AM
2h 39m
8 AM
3h 0m
10 AM
2h 47m
12 PM
2h 45m
3 PM
2h 48m
5 PM
2h 59m
8 PM
2h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clifton, NJ
James Kampeis
Atlantic City, NJ
Yura Forrat
Trip Overview
Traveling from Clifton to Atlantic City covers approximately 127.5 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 39 minutes. Because this journey is entirely within the Northeast region of New Jersey, it is a straightforward trip that works perfectly as a one-day getaway. You will primarily navigate the Garden State Parkway and the Atlantic City Expressway, making it an efficient drive rather than a winding scenic tour. Budgeting around $21 for fuel should cover your needs for the round trip. Whether you are heading to the coast for a quick escape or a full weekend, the route is simple enough to handle in a single session without feeling overwhelmed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
63.7 miles from Clifton, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused experience, as 98% of this route consists of high-speed transit. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the Garden State Parkway, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 110.8 miles. The character of this drive is functional and direct, designed to get you from the northern part of the state to the southern shore as quickly as possible. While you won't encounter technical local roads, you should prepare for the steady pace of major interstates. It is a consistent, predictable drive that allows you to settle into a rhythm once you merge onto the main parkway corridor.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Garden State Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 110.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Atlantic City Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Olga B Terrace.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 127.5 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 0.2 miles (Olga B Terrace): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.9 miles (CR 602 / Allwood Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Olga B Terrace
At end of road, turn right onto Olga B Terrace
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
CR 602 / Allwood Road
At end of road, turn right onto CR 602 / Allwood Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
1.1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward NJ 3 West, GSP South
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NJ 3 West, GSP South
6
1.3 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit toward GSP South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward GSP South
8
118.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m in
Take the exit toward A C Expressway, Atlantic City East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 38A
Toward A C Expressway, Atlantic City East
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Clifton, NJ to Atlantic City, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Atlantic City East along the way.
Atlantic City East
118.6 mi in
|
~2h 26m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 110.8 mi | 2h 14m |
| Atlantic City Expressway | 7.4 mi | 10m |
| Garden State Parkway Southbound | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| Atlantic Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Clifton Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Italian Heritage Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Allwood Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Donna Drive | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 110.8 mi, about 2h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton, NJ and Atlantic City, NJ.
1
Start on Holly Street
516 ft
·
26 sec
·
Holly Street
2
Turn left onto Donna Drive
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
Donna Drive
3
At end of road, turn right onto Olga B Terrace
441 ft
·
21 sec
·
Olga B Terrace
4
Turn right onto Hutton Road
39 ft
·
7 sec
·
Hutton Road
5
Turn left onto Olga B Terrace
174 ft
·
13 sec
·
Olga B Terrace
6
Turn left onto NJ 161
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Clifton Avenue
7
At end of road, turn right onto CR 602
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Allwood Road
Use the right lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward NJ 3 West, GSP South
9
Merge onto NJ 3
304 ft
·
4 sec
·
State Route 3
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward GSP South
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto GSP
22 mi
·
30 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
12
Continue on Garden State Parkway
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Garden State Parkway Southbound
Use the none lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the none lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
88 mi
·
1 hr 42 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 38A
Toward A C Expressway, Atlantic City East
Use the right lane.
16
Merge onto ACE
7.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Atlantic City Expressway
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on Italian Heritage Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Italian Heritage Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto OD
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Atlantic Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Arrive at destination
OD
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though traffic patterns on the Garden State Parkway can vary significantly during peak hours. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs or grab a coffee, as the nearly three-hour duration can feel monotonous. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before hitting the expressway, as services can be spaced out depending on your specific exit strategy. Because the route is almost entirely highway-based, check local traffic reports before you leave Clifton to avoid potential bottlenecks along the Parkway. Taking advantage of the quick transit time means you can easily arrive in Atlantic City with plenty of daylight left to spare.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 63.7 miles from Clifton, NJ, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.8 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 80 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.7 miles or 1h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Atlantic City, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clifton, 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 Clifton, NJ
This is one driving day of about 127.5 miles and 2h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Clifton, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 110.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 63.7 mi from Clifton, NJ · 1h 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
64 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 63.7 miles from Clifton, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Garden State Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 110.8 miles.
Arriving in Atlantic City, NJ
The final approach into Atlantic City, 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 Atlantic City, NJ.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.10 one way
$42.20 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $23.09 | $46.17 |
| premium | $4.92 | $24.71 | $49.41 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $28.33 | $56.65 |
Estimated Tolls: $7.01
Garden State Parkway
(117 mi)
$7.01
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
$21
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.3 | 0 | $13.39 | $6.12 |
| Efficient EV | 31.9 | 0 | $11.16 | $5.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51 | 0 | $17.85 | $8.16 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Destination
Atlantic City, NJ
Evening in Atlantic City on Sunday
Local time
8:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°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
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 39m 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 Clifton, NJ to Atlantic City, NJ covers 127.5 miles and takes about 2h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, Atlantic City Expressway, Garden State Parkway Southbound. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 63.7 miles from Clifton, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.10 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 127.5 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 0.2 miles (Olga B Terrace): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.9 miles (CR 602 / Allwood Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Clifton, NJ to Atlantic City, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Atlantic City East along the way.
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