Origin
Helmetta, NJ
Afternoon in Helmetta on Friday
Local time
2:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Helmetta, NJ to Clifton, NJ
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 6m
Distance
42.7 mi
69 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 1m
★
6 AM
1h 6m
8 AM
1h 17m
10 AM
1h 10m
12 PM
1h 9m
3 PM
1h 10m
5 PM
1h 16m
8 PM
1h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Helmetta, NJ
Garrison Gao
Clifton, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 42.7-mile drive from Helmetta, NJ to Clifton, NJ is a straightforward trip that takes about 1 hour and 6 minutes. Primarily using the Garden State Parkway and US 1, with a portion on State Route 18, this route is heavily highway-focused, with 78% of it being on faster roads. It's an easy day trip, with a modest estimated fuel cost of $7, making it an economical option for a quick journey within the Northeast region. You won't need to worry about overnight stays for this relatively short distance.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 6m. Total distance: 42.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 42.7-mile journey, as 78% of the route utilizes high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 21.5 miles on the Garden State Parkway. While the majority of the drive is on these main arteries, be prepared for the transition as you approach your destination. This route offers a consistent driving pace for a significant portion, making it efficient for covering ground.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 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 21.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and US 1. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Maple Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 42.7 miles you will encounter 20 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: near the start (Maple Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.6 miles (CR 613 / Summerhill Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles (CR 617 / Rues Lane): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Maple Street
At end of road, turn left onto Maple Street
Navigation decision point
5
2.6 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
CR 613 / Summerhill Road
Turn left onto CR 613 / Summerhill Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
4.3 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
CR 617 / Rues Lane
Turn right onto CR 617 / Rues Lane
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
9.7 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward US 1 North: Newark
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 1 North: Newark
8
39.1 mi into trip
|
~58m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Helmetta, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward Montclair and Nutley.
Montclair
39.1 mi in
|
~58m
Nutley
39.1 mi in
|
~58m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 21.5 mi | 29m |
| US 1 | 7.2 mi | 11m |
| State Route 18 | 4.8 mi | 6m |
| Summerhill Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Main Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Manalapan Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Allwood Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| Rues Lane | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 21.5 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Helmetta, NJ and Clifton, NJ.
1
Start on this road
205 ft
·
19 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto Maple Street
215 ft
·
15 sec
·
Maple Street
3
Turn left onto CR 615
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
4
Continue on CR 615
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Manalapan Road
5
Continue on CR 615
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Main Street
6
Turn left onto CR 613
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Summerhill Road
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn right onto CR 617
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Rues Lane
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Turn left onto NJ 18
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
State Route 18
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward US 1 North: Newark
Use the left / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto US 1
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
US 1
11
Continue on US 1
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 1
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 1
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on US 1
5.9 mi
·
9 min
·
US 1
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward GSP Toll North: Garden State Parkway
15
Merge onto GSP
21 mi
·
29 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 151
Toward Montclair, Nutley
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn right onto CR 655
483 ft
·
15 sec
·
Watchung Avenue
18
At end of road, turn left onto CR 652
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Passaic Avenue
19
Turn right onto CR 622
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
West Passaic Avenue
20
Turn left onto CR 622
411 ft
·
7 sec
·
Darling Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on CR 622
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Bloomfield Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Enter roundabout onto CR 602
261 ft
·
4 sec
·
Allwood Road
23
Continue on CR 602
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Allwood Road
24
Turn right onto NJ 161
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Clifton Avenue
25
Turn right onto Olga B Terrace
174 ft
·
9 sec
·
Olga B Terrace
26
Turn right onto Hutton Road
39 ft
·
6 sec
·
Hutton Road
27
Turn left onto Olga B Terrace
441 ft
·
25 sec
·
Olga B Terrace
28
Turn left onto Donna Drive
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
Donna Drive
29
Turn right onto Holly Street
516 ft
·
22 sec
·
Holly Street
30
Arrive at destination
Holly Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21.3 mi from Helmetta, NJ · 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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 42.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 21.3 miles from Helmetta, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.08 one way
$14.16 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $7.75 | $15.51 |
| premium | $4.93 | $8.28 | $16.56 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.43 | $18.86 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.29
Garden State Parkway
(21.5 mi)
$1.29
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Tolls
$1
Total
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.8 | 0 | $4.48 | $2.05 |
| Efficient EV | 10.7 | 0 | $3.74 | $1.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.1 | 0 | $5.98 | $2.73 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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.
Destination
Clifton, NJ
Afternoon in Clifton on Friday
Local time
2:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SW 3 to 12 mph
19% chance
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
21 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 6m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Helmetta, NJ to Clifton, NJ covers 42.7 miles and takes about 1h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, US 1, State Route 18. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 21.3 miles from Helmetta, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.08 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 42.7 miles you will encounter 20 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: near the start (Maple Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.6 miles (CR 613 / Summerhill Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles (CR 617 / Rues Lane): Lane positioning matters here.
Between Helmetta, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward Montclair and Nutley.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Morristown National Historical Park. 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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