Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
41m
Distance
25.8 mi
41 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clifton, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Colonia, NJ
Aisling Kerr
The drive from Clifton, NJ to Colonia, NJ covers 25.8 miles and takes about 41m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Garden State Parkway, Chain O' Hills Road, Clifton Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 22.1 miles on Garden State Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $4.28 one way before food or hotel costs.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 41m. Total distance: 25.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 41m highway drive covering 25.8 miles, with most of the trip on Garden State Parkway and Chain O' Hills Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 22.1 miles on Garden State Parkway.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Chain O' Hills Road. 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.
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 15 decision points packed into just 25.8 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 41m.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn right onto Olga B Terrace
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
At end of road, turn right onto CR 602 / Allwood Road
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward NJ 3 West, GSP South
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward GSP South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward NJ 27: Iselin, Metuchen
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Clifton, NJ to Colonia, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Metuchen along the way.
Metuchen
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 22.1 mi | 30m |
| Chain O' Hills Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Clifton Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Lincoln Highway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Green Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| South Cliff Road | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| Allwood Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Donna Drive | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton, NJ and Colonia, NJ.
Start on Holly Street
Turn left onto Donna Drive
At end of road, turn right onto Olga B Terrace
Turn right onto Hutton Road
Turn left onto Olga B Terrace
Turn left onto NJ 161
At end of road, turn right onto CR 602
Take the ramp
Merge onto NJ 3
Take the exit
Merge onto GSP
Take the exit
At end of road, turn left onto NJ 27
Turn right onto CR 604
Turn left onto Chain O' Hills Road
Turn right onto South Cliff Road
Arrive at destination
Regular Gas
$4.28 one way
$8.55 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $4.68 | $9.37 |
| premium | $4.93 | $5.00 | $10.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.70 | $11.39 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.33
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Tolls
$1
Total
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.7 | 0 | $2.71 | $1.24 |
| Efficient EV | 6.5 | 0 | $2.26 | $1.03 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.3 | 0 | $3.61 | $1.65 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Clifton on Thursday
Local time
7:03 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Evening in Colonia on Thursday
Local time
7:03 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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