This 97.3-mile drive from Jackson to Clifton, NJ, is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 7 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily be on the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway, with a brief section of NJ 73. With 92% of the route on highways, expect a brisk pace, and budget around $16 for fuel. Since both your origin and destination are in the Northeast region of New Jersey, you won't experience a change in regional scenery, but rather a quick transit between two points within the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.6 miles from Jackson, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 1m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 7m. Total distance: 97.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Prepare for a drive that is predominantly highway, with 92% of the 97.3 miles on faster roads. The majority of your journey will be on the New Jersey Turnpike, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 55.9 miles, so expect consistent speeds and smooth sailing for extended periods. While the profile is largely highway-focused, the inclusion of NJ 73 might offer a slight variation before you rejoin the Parkway. This route prioritizes efficiency over scenic detours, making it a functional transit between Jackson and Clifton.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 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 55.9 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 13.5 miles in.
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 20 significant decision points across 97.3 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 13.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
13.5 mi into trip|~20m in
Take the exit toward NJTP
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward NJTP
7
13.8 mi into trip|~20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJTP North: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward NJTP North: New York
8
70.3 mi into trip|~1h 26m 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
70.8 mi into trip|~1h 27m 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
93.7 mi into trip|~2h 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 Jackson, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp, Njtp North: New York, Gsp and Woodbridge.
Njtp
13.5 mi in|~20m
Njtp North: New York
13.8 mi in|~20m
Gsp
70.3 mi in|~1h 26m
Woodbridge
70.3 mi in|~1h 26m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
55.9 mi
1h 4m
Garden State Parkway
22.2 mi
30m
NJ 73
11 mi
15m
Jackson Road
2.6 mi
4m
Allwood Road
1 mi
1m
Clifton Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
West Passaic Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
East Passaic Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 55.9 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, NJ and Clifton, NJ.
1
Start on CR 534
2.6 mi·4 min·Jackson Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Turn right onto NJ 73
2.0 mi·2 min·NJ 73
Use the right lane.
3
Continue on NJ 73
8.9 mi·12 min·NJ 73
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on NJ 73
198 ft·3 sec·NJ 73
Use the right lane.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward NJTPUse the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJTP North: New YorkUse the straight / right lanes.
7
Merge onto NJTP
15 mi·16 min·New Jersey Turnpike
8
Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP
41 mi·47 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 11Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, WoodbridgeUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward GSP North: Garden State ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto GSP
22 mi·30 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 151Toward Montclair, NutleyUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn right onto CR 655
483 ft·15 sec·Watchung Avenue
14
At end of road, turn left onto CR 652
0.4 mi·45 sec·East Passaic Avenue
15
Turn right onto CR 622
0.5 mi·52 sec·West Passaic Avenue
16
Turn left onto CR 622
411 ft·7 sec·Darling Avenue
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on CR 622
0.4 mi·37 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Enter roundabout onto CR 602
261 ft·4 sec·Allwood Road
19
Continue on CR 602
1.0 mi·1 min·Allwood Road
20
Turn right onto NJ 161
0.5 mi·1 min·Clifton Avenue
21
Turn right onto Olga B Terrace
174 ft·9 sec·Olga B Terrace
22
Turn right onto Hutton Road
39 ft·6 sec·Hutton Road
23
Turn left onto Olga B Terrace
441 ft·25 sec·Olga B Terrace
24
Turn left onto Donna Drive
0.1 mi·33 sec·Donna Drive
25
Turn right onto Holly Street
516 ft·22 sec·Holly Street
26
Arrive at destination
Holly Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of around 2 hours and 7 minutes, this trip is best tackled as a single-day excursion. To avoid potential traffic, consider departing early in the morning or later in the evening. With 92% of the route on highways and a longest stretch of 55.9 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike, you'll want to ensure you have sufficient fuel before you begin, as dedicated services might be less frequent off the main highway. The estimated fuel cost is a manageable $16, so keep an eye on your gauge, especially during that long Turnpike segment.
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 48.6 miles from Jackson, NJ, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.9 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 21 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.6 miles or 1h 1m 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 40m
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 Jackson, 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 Jackson, NJ
This is one driving day of about 97.3 miles and 2h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Jackson, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New Jersey Turnpike for about 55.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 48.6 mi from Jackson, NJ
· 1h 1m into the drive
The midpoint is around 48.6 miles from Jackson, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Thomas Edison National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
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
near mile 97.3
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 80.5
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...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 87.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.13 one way
$32.26 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$17.67
$35.33
premium
$4.93
$18.87
$37.74
diesel
$5.61
$21.48
$42.97
Estimated Tolls: $9.16
New Jersey Turnpike
(55.9 mi)$7.83
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
$16
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
86 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Tesla Supercharger
Hamilton Township, New Jersey
Tesla
1 DCFC
Greenspot Charging Station
Trenton, New Jersey
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Maplewood, New Jersey
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Kearny, New Jersey
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Hamilton Township, New Jersey
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Cranbury, NJ
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Robbinsville Twp, New Jersey
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Hamilton Township, New Jersey
Tesla
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 49
Other: 14
Tesla: 8
EVgo: 5
Electrify America: 4
Blink: 3
Tesla Destination: 2
EV Connect: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.2
0
$10.22
$4.67
Efficient EV
24.3
0
$8.51
$3.89
EV Truck/SUV
38.9
0
$13.62
$6.23
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Jackson, NJ
Morning
in Jackson on Friday
Local time
7:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clifton, NJ
Morning
in Clifton on Friday
Local time
7:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 3 to 12 mph4% chanceLive 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
44 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
2h 7m 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 Jackson, NJ to Clifton, NJ covers 97.3 miles and takes about 2h 7m 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, NJ 73. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 48.6 miles from Jackson, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.13 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 20 significant decision points across 97.3 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 13.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Jackson, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp, Njtp North: New York, Gsp and Woodbridge.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
EV charging comes from the
NREL Alternative Fuels
dataset.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
