Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
1h 1m
Distance
41.8 mi
67 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
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
Middlebush, NJ
Jer Rey
This 41.8-mile journey from Clifton, NJ, to Middlebush, NJ, is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in about an hour. It's a perfect candidate for a day trip, requiring no overnight stays. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 83% of the drive utilizing major roadways. You can expect the fuel cost to be around $7, making it an economical option for getting between these two New Jersey locations. The overall feel is efficient and direct, ideal for when you need to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 1m. Total distance: 41.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a highway-focused experience on this trip, with 83% of your travel time spent on faster roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 22.1 miles along the Garden State Parkway, offering a consistent pace. You'll transition onto I-287 and eventually Cedar Grove Lane, indicating a mix of major highway and potentially more localized road segments as you approach your destination. This drive is less about leisurely cruising and more about efficient transit, with the majority of the miles dedicated to well-traveled parkways and interstates.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and I 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 41.8 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 1.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp toward NJ 3 West, GSP South
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward US 1: Newark, Trenton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward US 1 South: Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward CR 527: Easton Avenue, New Brunswick, South Bound Brook
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward CR 527 South: Easton Avenue, New Brunswick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Clifton, NJ and Middlebush, NJ, road signs point toward Trenton, Mahwah, New Brunswick and Bound Brook.
Trenton
Mahwah
New Brunswick
Bound Brook
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 22.1 mi | 30m |
| I 287 | 9.1 mi | 10m |
| Cedar Grove Lane | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| US 1 | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Garden State Parkway Southbound | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Easton Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Amwell Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Clifton Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton, NJ and Middlebush, 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
Continue on Garden State Parkway
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 1
Continue on US 1
Take the exit
Merge onto I 287
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on CR 527
Turn right onto CR 619
Turn left onto CR 514
Turn right onto Olcott Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.9 mi from Clifton, NJ · 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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.
A short stop after about 41.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 20.9 miles from Clifton, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Middlebush, 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.
Regular Gas
$6.93 one way
$13.86 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $7.59 | $15.18 |
| premium | $4.93 | $8.11 | $16.21 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.23 | $18.46 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.40
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Tolls
$1
Total
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.5 | 0 | $4.39 | $2.01 |
| Efficient EV | 10.5 | 0 | $3.66 | $1.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.7 | 0 | $5.85 | $2.68 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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
Late night in Clifton on Friday
Local time
2:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Late night in Middlebush on Friday
Local time
2:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Clifton, NJ or browse trips ending in Middlebush, NJ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NJ road trips.
