Origin
Clifton, NJ
Afternoon in Clifton on Friday
Local time
4:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clifton, NJ to Princeton Meadows, NJ
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 16m
Distance
54.3 mi
87 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 10m
★
6 AM
1h 16m
8 AM
1h 28m
10 AM
1h 20m
12 PM
1h 19m
3 PM
1h 21m
5 PM
1h 28m
8 PM
1h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clifton, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Princeton Meadows, NJ
Mohan Nannapaneni
Trip Overview
The drive from Clifton, NJ to Princeton Meadows, NJ covers 54.3 miles and takes about 1h 16m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur, State Route 3, Dey Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 38.2 miles on New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur. At current regular gas prices, budget about $9.00 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 16m. Total distance: 54.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 16m highway drive covering 54.3 miles, with most of the trip on New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur and State Route 3. The longest continuous stretch is about 38.2 miles on New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur is the longest continuous segment at about 38.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur and State Route 3. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near CR 602 / Allwood Road.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 54.3 miles you will encounter 23 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 0.9 miles (CR 602 / Allwood Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
CR 602 / Allwood Road
At end of road, turn left onto CR 602 / Allwood Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
6.6 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the exit toward East Rutherford, American Dream, Stadium, Racetrack, Training Facility
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 East Rutherford, American Dream, Stadium...
8
7.5 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Newark
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Newark
8
46.1 mi into trip
|
~1h in
|
Exit 8A
Take the exit onto Exit 8A toward NJ 32: Jamesburg, Cranbury
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 8A
Toward NJ 32: Jamesburg, Cranbury
8
46.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CR 535: Cranbury, South Brunswick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CR 535: Cranbury, South Brunswick
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clifton, NJ and Princeton Meadows, NJ, road signs point toward Rutherford, American Dream, Stadium, Racetrack, Training Facility and Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike - among others.
Rutherford
6.6 mi in
|
~10m
American Dream
6.6 mi in
|
~10m
Stadium
6.6 mi in
|
~10m
Racetrack
6.6 mi in
|
~10m
Training Facility
6.6 mi in
|
~10m
Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
7 mi in
|
~10m
Njtp South: Newark
7.5 mi in
|
~12m
Cranbury
46.1 mi in
|
~1h
|
via Exit 8A
Cr 535: Cranbury
46.9 mi in
|
~1h 1m
Brunswick
46.9 mi in
|
~1h 1m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur | 38.2 mi | 46m |
| State Route 3 | 4.4 mi | 4m |
| Dey Road | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| US 130 | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Allwood Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| Forsgate Drive | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Exit 8A | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Scotts Corner Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
— 38.2 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton, NJ and Princeton Meadows, 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 left onto CR 602
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Allwood Road
Use the left lane.
8
Enter roundabout onto CR 622
65 ft
·
1 sec
·
Bloomfield Avenue
9
Continue on CR 622
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Bloomfield Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
10
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Use the left lane.
11
Merge onto NJ 3
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
State Route 3
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward East Rutherford, American Dream, Stadium, Racetrack, Training Facility
Use the slight right lane.
13
Continue on Sheraton Plaza Drive
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Sheraton Plaza Drive
14
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 Toll, NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Newark
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
6.3 mi
·
8 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; NJTP
32 mi
·
38 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit onto Exit 8A
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Exit 8A
Exit 8A
Toward NJ 32: Jamesburg, Cranbury
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward CR 535: Cranbury, South Brunswick
Use the slight right lane.
20
Turn left onto CR 535
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Cranbury-South River Road
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto NJ 32
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Forsgate Drive
22
Turn left onto US 130
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
US 130
23
Turn right onto CR 614
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Dey Road
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn left onto Scotts Corner Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Scotts Corner Road
25
At end of road, turn right onto Plainsboro Road
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Plainsboro Road
26
Turn right onto Tamarron Drive
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Tamarron Drive
27
Turn right
157 ft
·
13 sec
28
Turn right
285 ft
·
20 sec
29
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 27.1 mi from Clifton, NJ · 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27.1 miles from Clifton, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Princeton Meadows, NJ
The final approach into Princeton Meadows, 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
$9.00 one way
$18.00 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $9.86 | $19.72 |
| premium | $4.93 | $10.53 | $21.06 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.99 | $23.98 |
Estimated Tolls: $5.36
New Jersey Turnpike
(38.2 mi)
$5.36
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Tolls
$5
Total
$14
Estimated CO2 emission: 19 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.3 | 0 | $5.70 | $2.61 |
| Efficient EV | 13.6 | 0 | $4.75 | $2.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.7 | 0 | $7.60 | $3.48 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Destination
Princeton Meadows, NJ
Afternoon in Princeton Meadows on Friday
Local time
4:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
2 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 16m 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 Princeton Meadows, NJ covers 54.3 miles and takes about 1h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur, State Route 3, Dey 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 27.1 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 $9.00 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 54.3 miles you will encounter 23 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 0.9 miles (CR 602 / Allwood Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Clifton, NJ and Princeton Meadows, NJ, road signs point toward Rutherford, American Dream, Stadium, Racetrack, Training Facility and Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike - among others.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
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.
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