Origin
Frenchtown, NJ
Morning in Frenchtown on Saturday
Local time
6:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 26m
Distance
61.9 mi
100 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Frenchtown, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Clifton, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Frenchtown, NJ to Clifton, NJ covers 61.9 miles and takes about 1h 26m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway, Garden State Parkway, Everittstown Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 36.6 miles on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $10.26 one way before food or hotel costs.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 26m. Total distance: 61.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 1h 26m highway drive covering 61.9 miles, with most of the trip on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway and Garden State Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 36.6 miles on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway and Garden State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.5 miles in near CR 513; CR 579 / Pittstown Road.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 61.9 miles you will encounter 22 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 7.5 miles (CR 513; CR 579 / Pittstown Road): Navigation decision point; at 27.3 miles (I 78 / Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 43.9 miles (I 78 / Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway): 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.
At end of road, turn left onto CR 513; CR 579 / Pittstown Road
Navigation decision point
Keep slight right at fork onto I 78 / Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 78 / Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward GSP: G.S. Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
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
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Frenchtown, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward Newark, Gsp North Toll, Montclair and Nutley.
Newark
Gsp North Toll
Montclair
Nutley
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway | 36.6 mi | 42m |
| Garden State Parkway | 8.9 mi | 12m |
| Everittstown Road | 6.5 mi | 11m |
| Pittstown Road | 4 mi | 7m |
| Allwood Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| Everittstown Hill Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Clifton Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| West Passaic Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Frenchtown, NJ and Clifton, NJ.
Start on South Harrison Street
Turn left
Turn left onto Trenton Avenue
Turn right onto NJ 12
Continue on CR 513
Continue on CR 513
At end of road, turn left onto CR 513; CR 579
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 78; US 22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 78
Keep slight right at fork onto I 78
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto GSP
Take the exit
Turn right onto CR 655
At end of road, turn left onto CR 652
Turn right onto CR 622
Turn left onto CR 622
Continue on CR 622
Enter roundabout onto CR 602
Continue on CR 602
Turn right onto NJ 161
Turn right onto Olga B Terrace
Turn right onto Hutton Road
Turn left onto Olga B Terrace
Turn left onto Donna Drive
Turn right onto Holly Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 30.9 mi from Frenchtown, NJ · 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 30.9 miles from Frenchtown, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$10.26 one way
$20.52 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $11.24 | $22.48 |
| premium | $4.93 | $12.00 | $24.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.67 | $27.33 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.53
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Tolls
$1
Total
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.6 | 0 | $6.50 | $2.97 |
| Efficient EV | 15.5 | 0 | $5.42 | $2.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.8 | 0 | $8.67 | $3.96 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Frenchtown on Saturday
Local time
6:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Clifton on Saturday
Local time
6:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°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
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.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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