The drive from Clifton, NJ to Penns Grove, NJ covers 121.6 miles and takes about 2h 31m 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, I 295, New Jersey Turnpike for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 60.9 miles on New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.16 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
60.8 miles from Clifton, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 17m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 31m. Total distance: 121.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 31m highway drive covering 121.6 miles, with most of the trip on New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur and I 295. The longest continuous stretch is about 60.9 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 28 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 60.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur and I 295. 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 Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 121.6 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 0.9 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 24 key points
These 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
7
86 mi into trip|~1h 46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 73 North: Camden
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 73 North: Camden
8
119.5 mi into trip|~2h 27m in
Take the exit toward NJ 48: Woodstown, Penns Grove
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 4
Toward NJ 48: Woodstown, Penns Grove
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 Penns Grove, 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
Njtp South: Camden
68.7 mi in|~1h 26m|via NJTP
Wilmington
68.7 mi in|~1h 26m|via NJTP
Camden
85.6 mi in|~1h 45m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
60.9 mi
1h 13m
I 295
32.5 mi
38m
New Jersey Turnpike
16.8 mi
19m
State Route 3
4.4 mi
4m
Harding Highway
1.4 mi
2m
Allwood Road
1 mi
1m
Clifton Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
NJ 73
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
— 60.9 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton, NJ and Penns Grove, 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 FacilityUse 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: NewarkUse 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
55 mi·1 hr 4 min·New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP
17 mi·19 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Toward NJTP South: Camden, Wilmington
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·55 sec
Exit 4Toward NJ 73: Mount Laurel, Camden
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward NJ 73 North: CamdenUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto NJ 73
0.5 mi·42 sec·NJ 73
Use the slight right lane.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 295 South: Delaware Memorial Bridge
23
Merge onto I 295
23 mi·27 min·I 295
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
9.6 mi·11 min·I 295
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 4Toward NJ 48: Woodstown, Penns GroveUse the slight right lane.
26
Turn right onto NJ 48
1.4 mi·2 min·Harding Highway
27
Continue on CR 675
0.3 mi·46 sec·East Main Street
28
Arrive at destination
CR 675
Trip Plan
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 60.8 miles from Clifton, NJ, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.9 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 27 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.8 miles or 1h 17m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Penns Grove, 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 121.6 miles and 2h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 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 New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur for about 60.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 60.8 mi from Clifton, NJ
· 1h 17m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Silk cloth and steam locomotives; textiles and continuous paper rolls; firearms and aircraft engines. What do these things have in common? All were manufactured in the same place - Paterson, NJ. In 17...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
Caution: Limited Amphitheater Accessibility
Caution: Overlook Park Parking Lot - Vehicles Must Be Parked in a Designated Spot
Today, the brick buildings on Main Street in West Orange, NJ seem quiet, betraying little evidence of the research, development, and innovation of their heyday. Visitors can step back in time to Thoma...
Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...
15 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 16.8
Morristown National Historical Park commemorates the sites of General Washington and the Continental Army’s winter encampment from December 1779 to June 1780, where soldiers survived the coldest winte...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.16 one way
$40.32 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$22.08
$44.16
premium
$4.93
$23.58
$47.17
diesel
$5.61
$26.85
$53.70
Estimated Tolls: $10.89
New Jersey Turnpike
(77.7 mi)$10.89
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
$20
Tolls
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.5
0
$12.77
$5.84
Efficient EV
30.4
0
$10.64
$4.86
EV Truck/SUV
48.6
0
$17.02
$7.78
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Clifton, NJ
Morning
in Clifton on Saturday
Local time
9:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Penns Grove, NJ
Morning
in Penns Grove on Saturday
Local time
9:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
47°F
Bristol, PA
61 mi in
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
20 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 31m 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 Penns Grove, NJ covers 121.6 miles and takes about 2h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur, I 295, New Jersey Turnpike. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 60.8 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 $20.16 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 24 significant decision points across 121.6 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 0.9 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 Penns Grove, 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.
