Origin
Clifton, NJ
Night in Clifton on Sunday
Local time
9:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clifton, NJ to Seaside Heights, NJ
Drive Time
1h 47m
Distance
75 mi
121 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 39m
★
6 AM
1h 47m
8 AM
2h 3m
10 AM
1h 53m
12 PM
1h 51m
3 PM
1h 53m
5 PM
2h 2m
8 PM
1h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clifton, NJ
James Kampeis
Seaside Heights, NJ
Aisling Kerr
Trip Overview
If you are looking to escape Clifton for the Jersey Shore, this 75-mile trip to Seaside Heights is a straightforward commute. You can expect to spend about 1 hour and 47 minutes behind the wheel, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. Budgeting approximately $12 for fuel should cover your travel costs comfortably. Since the journey remains entirely within the Northeast region of New Jersey, the transition from suburban northern NJ to the coastal atmosphere is quick and efficient. While you could certainly stay overnight to enjoy the beach, the manageable duration allows for plenty of flexibility if you prefer to head home the same evening.
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
37.5 miles from Clifton, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 83% of your journey is spent navigating major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Garden State Parkway, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 49.3 miles. The route relies heavily on the Garden State Parkway Southbound to bridge the gap between your starting point and the coast. Once you exit the main highway, the drive transitions onto West Central Avenue for the final leg of the trip. The road personality is primarily a steady interstate grind, prioritizing speed and efficiency over secondary roads, so prepare for a consistent pace throughout most of the drive.
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.
Garden State Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 49.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Garden State Parkway Southbound. 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
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 75 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 1.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 57.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 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
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
8
57.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
Take the exit toward NJ 138 East, I 195 West, NJ 34: Belmar, Trenton
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 98
Toward NJ 138 East, I 195 West, NJ 34: Belmar,...
8
57.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 34 South, NJ 34 North, I 195 West: Brielle, Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward NJ 34 South, NJ 34 North, I 195 West: Br...
7
57.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 34 South: Brielle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward NJ 34 South: Brielle
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Clifton, NJ to Seaside Heights, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Trenton along the way.
Trenton
57.2 mi in
|
~1h 14m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 49.3 mi | 1h 2m |
| Garden State Parkway Southbound | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| West Central Avenue | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| Ocean Avenue | 3.5 mi | 8m |
| NJ 35 | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| NJ 34 | 3.3 mi | 3m |
| Anna O Hankins Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| East Central Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 49.3 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton, NJ and Seaside Heights, 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
27 mi
·
30 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 98
Toward NJ 138 East, I 195 West, NJ 34: Belmar, Trenton
Use the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward NJ 34 South, NJ 34 North, I 195 West: Brielle, Trenton
Use the none lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward NJ 34 South: Brielle
Use the straight lane.
18
Merge onto NJ 34
0.6 mi
·
45 sec
·
NJ 34
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
19
Enter roundabout onto NJ 34
228 ft
·
2 sec
·
NJ 34
20
Continue on NJ 34
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
NJ 34
21
Continue on NJ 35
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
NJ 35
Use the none lane.
22
Continue on NJ 35
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
Main Avenue
Use the none lane.
23
Continue on NJ 35
3.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Ocean Avenue
24
Continue on NJ 35
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
West Central Avenue
25
Continue on NJ 35
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Anna O Hankins Boulevard
26
Continue on NJ 35
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Central Avenue
Use the none lane.
27
Continue on West Central Avenue
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
West Central Avenue
28
Turn left onto CR 20
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Hiering Avenue
29
Continue on Ocean Terrace
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Ocean Terrace
30
Turn right onto CR 4
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
Sheridan Avenue
31
Arrive at destination
CR 4
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 1-day trip, planning your departure time is essential to avoid the heaviest regional traffic. Since you have no mandatory stops scheduled, you have the freedom to drive straight through or break up the 75-mile distance as you see fit. Keep in mind that while the route is relatively short, traffic patterns on the Garden State Parkway can fluctuate significantly depending on the day of the week. Setting aside that $12 fuel budget before you head out ensures you are ready for the road. For the smoothest experience, check real-time traffic conditions for the Garden State Parkway before you leave Clifton, as this will be the most critical segment of your journey.
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 37.5 miles from Clifton, NJ, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.3 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 75 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.5 miles or 52m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Seaside Heights, 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 75 miles and 1h 47m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 49.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 37.5 mi from Clifton, NJ · 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
38 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 75 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 37.5 miles from Clifton, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Seaside Heights, NJ
The final approach into Seaside Heights, 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 Seaside Heights, NJ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.41 one way
$24.82 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $13.58 | $27.16 |
| premium | $4.92 | $14.53 | $29.07 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $16.66 | $33.32 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.32
Garden State Parkway
(55.5 mi)
$3.32
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
$12
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.5 | 0 | $7.87 | $3.60 |
| Efficient EV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.56 | $3.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30 | 0 | $10.50 | $4.80 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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
Seaside Heights, NJ
Night in Seaside Heights on Sunday
Local time
9:35 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
1h 47m 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 Seaside Heights, NJ covers 75 miles and takes about 1h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, Garden State Parkway Southbound, West Central Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 37.5 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 $12.41 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 is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 75 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 1.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 57.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Clifton, NJ to Seaside Heights, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Trenton along the way.
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