Origin
Elwood, NJ
Evening in Elwood on Sunday
Local time
7:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Elwood, NJ to Clifton, NJ
Drive Time
2h 22m
Distance
106 mi
171 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 13m
★
6 AM
2h 23m
8 AM
2h 42m
10 AM
2h 30m
12 PM
2h 28m
3 PM
2h 31m
5 PM
2h 41m
8 PM
2h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elwood, NJ
Garrison Gao
Clifton, NJ
James Kampeis
Trip Overview
Traveling from Elwood to Clifton covers 106 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 22 minutes. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused drive within New Jersey, you can easily complete the entire trip in a single day. You should budget approximately $18 for fuel to make the trek. Navigating the route involves a blend of the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, and Trenton Road. Whether you are heading north for business or a visit, this efficient path through the Northeast corridor keeps your travel time manageable and predictable.
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
53 miles from Elwood, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a trip dominated by major infrastructure, as 71% of your journey is spent on highways. The road feels like a consistent interstate grind, providing a fast-paced environment that connects the southern and northern parts of the state. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch along the New Jersey Turnpike, which spans 36.9 miles. While the transition between the Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, and local roads like Trenton Road keeps the drive active, you should prepare for the steady pace typical of high-traffic transit corridors.
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 is the longest continuous segment at about 36.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.6 miles in near US 206 / Trenton Road.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 106 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 6.6 miles (US 206 / Trenton Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
6
6.6 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
US 206 / Trenton Road
Merge onto US 206 / Trenton Road
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
41.4 mi into trip
|
~56m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
8
79 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
Take the exit toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge
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 11
Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbri...
7
79.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
Keep slight right at fork toward GSP North: Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward GSP North: Garden State Parkway
8
102.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m in
Take the exit toward Montclair, Nutley
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 151
Toward Montclair, Nutley
Towns Along This Route
Between Elwood, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward New York, Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York City, Gsp and Woodbridge.
New York
24.2 mi in
|
~33m
|
via US 206
Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
40.7 mi in
|
~54m
Njtp North: New York City
41.4 mi in
|
~56m
Gsp
79 mi in
|
~1h 41m
Woodbridge
79 mi in
|
~1h 41m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike | 36.9 mi | 42m |
| Garden State Parkway | 22.2 mi | 30m |
| Trenton Road | 17.6 mi | 23m |
| US 206 | 16.5 mi | 20m |
| White Horse Pike | 6.6 mi | 10m |
| Allwood Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| Clifton Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| West Passaic Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 36.9 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elwood, NJ and Clifton, NJ.
1
Start on CR 623
104 ft
·
11 sec
·
Elwood Road
2
Turn left onto US 30
6.6 mi
·
10 min
·
White Horse Pike
3
Take the exit
201 ft
·
5 sec
Toward US 206 North
4
Merge onto US 206
18 mi
·
23 min
·
Trenton Road
Use the none lane.
5
Enter roundabout onto US 206
498 ft
·
6 sec
·
US 206
Toward US 206 North: Trenton, New York
6
Continue on US 206
7.6 mi
·
10 min
·
US 206
Toward US 206 North: Trenton, New York
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on US 206
8.8 mi
·
10 min
·
US 206
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 Toll, NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
Use the none lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
11
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
37 mi
·
42 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 11
Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward GSP North: Garden State Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto GSP
22 mi
·
30 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the none lane.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 151
Toward Montclair, Nutley
Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn right onto CR 655
483 ft
·
15 sec
·
Watchung Avenue
17
At end of road, turn left onto CR 652
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Passaic Avenue
18
Turn right onto CR 622
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
West Passaic Avenue
19
Turn left onto CR 622
411 ft
·
7 sec
·
Darling Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on CR 622
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Bloomfield Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Enter roundabout onto CR 602
261 ft
·
4 sec
·
Allwood Road
22
Continue on CR 602
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Allwood Road
23
Turn right onto NJ 161
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Clifton Avenue
24
Turn right onto Olga B Terrace
174 ft
·
9 sec
·
Olga B Terrace
25
Turn right onto Hutton Road
39 ft
·
6 sec
·
Hutton Road
26
Turn left onto Olga B Terrace
441 ft
·
25 sec
·
Olga B Terrace
27
Turn left onto Donna Drive
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
Donna Drive
28
Turn right onto Holly Street
516 ft
·
22 sec
·
Holly Street
29
Arrive at destination
Holly Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip with no required stops, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. Keep in mind that traffic patterns on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway can fluctuate significantly, so checking live conditions before you leave is a smart move. Because the entire 106-mile journey is designed to be completed in one go, you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. Focus your attention on the transition points between the major roads, as merging onto the Parkway from the Turnpike can be fast-paced. Planning your departure to avoid peak commuting hours will help ensure you stay closer to the 2-hour and 22-minute estimate.
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 53 miles from Elwood, NJ, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.9 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 80 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53 miles or 1h 11m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clifton, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Elwood, 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 Elwood, NJ
This is one driving day of about 106 miles and 2h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Elwood, 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 New Jersey Turnpike for about 36.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 53 mi from Elwood, NJ · 1h 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
53 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 53 miles from Elwood, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Clifton, NJ
The final approach into Clifton, 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 Clifton, 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
$17.54 one way
$35.08 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $19.19 | $38.39 |
| premium | $4.92 | $20.54 | $41.08 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $23.55 | $47.10 |
Estimated Tolls: $6.49
New Jersey Turnpike
(36.9 mi)
$5.16
Garden State Parkway
(22.2 mi)
$1.33
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
$18
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.8 | 0 | $11.13 | $5.09 |
| Efficient EV | 26.5 | 0 | $9.27 | $4.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.4 | 0 | $14.84 | $6.78 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 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
Clifton, NJ
Evening in Clifton on Sunday
Local time
7:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°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
24 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 22m 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 Elwood, NJ to Clifton, NJ covers 106 miles and takes about 2h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, Trenton 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 53 miles from Elwood, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.54 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 23 significant decision points across 106 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 6.6 miles (US 206 / Trenton Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Elwood, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward New York, Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York City, Gsp and Woodbridge.
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