Origin
Lake Telemark, NJ
Late night in Lake Telemark on Monday
Local time
1:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lake Telemark, NJ to Clifton, NJ
Drive Time
35m
Distance
26.7 mi
43 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 32m
★
6 AM
0h 35m
8 AM
0h 41m
10 AM
0h 37m
12 PM
0h 37m
3 PM
0h 37m
5 PM
0h 41m
8 PM
0h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clifton, NJ
James Kampeis
Trip Overview
Traveling from Lake Telemark to Clifton is a straightforward 26.7-mile journey that typically takes about 35 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this trip is perfectly suited as a quick day outing, requiring no overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via Green Pond Road, US 46, and the Christopher Columbus Highway. With a fuel budget of just $4, it is an economical route for a short commute or visit within the Northeast region. Since there are no designated stops required, you can easily complete the drive in one efficient leg. This route offers a simple transition from the local charm of Lake Telemark to the more urban environment of Clifton.
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
13.3 miles from Lake Telemark, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you navigate through the region. Roughly 17 miles of the trip are spent on highways, providing a blend of local navigation and faster road stretches. You will spend your longest uninterrupted segment covering 15.7 miles on the Christopher Columbus Highway. The character of the road shifts as you transition from local roads onto the highway, moving from tighter turns to a more consistent pace. Be prepared for the varied rhythm of this drive, as the mix of local roads and highway driving keeps the experience engaging from start to finish.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Christopher Columbus Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 15.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.3 miles in near I 80 / Christopher Columbus Highway.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 26.7 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 4.3 miles (I 80 / Christopher Columbus Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 20 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.5 miles (US 46): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
4.3 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
I 80 / Christopher Columbus Highway
Merge onto I 80 / Christopher Columbus Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
20 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Take the exit toward US 46 East: Wayne, Clifton, Lincoln Tunnel
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 53
Toward US 46 East: Wayne, Clifton, Lincoln Tunn...
5
20.5 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
US 46
Merge onto US 46
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
25 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Take the exit toward Grove Street, Van Houten Avenue, Clifton, Passaic
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 Grove Street, Van Houten Avenue, Clifton...
5
25.1 mi into trip
|
~31m in
|
CR 623 / Grove Street
At end of road, turn right onto CR 623 / Grove Street
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
Between Lake Telemark, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward New York and Passaic.
New York
4.1 mi in
|
~6m
Passaic
25 mi in
|
~30m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 15.7 mi | 17m |
| US 46 | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| Green Pond Road | 4 mi | 6m |
| Van Houten Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Clifton Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| St James Place | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Donna Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Holly Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Christopher Columbus Highway
— 15.7 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Telemark, NJ and Clifton, NJ.
1
Start on Telemark Road
476 ft
·
25 sec
·
Telemark Road
2
Turn left onto CR 513
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Green Pond Road
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 80 East: Paterson, New York
4
Merge onto I 80
16 mi
·
17 min
·
Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the none lane.
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Exit 53
Toward US 46 East: Wayne, Clifton, Lincoln Tunnel
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto US 46
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
US 46
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on US 46
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
US 46
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit
452 ft
·
16 sec
Toward Grove Street, Van Houten Avenue, Clifton, Passaic
Use the slight right lane.
9
At end of road, turn right onto CR 623
179 ft
·
9 sec
·
Grove Street
10
Turn left onto CR 614
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Van Houten Avenue
Use the left lane.
11
Turn right onto NJ 161
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
Clifton Avenue
12
Turn left onto St James Place
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
St James Place
13
Turn right onto Donna Drive
522 ft
·
28 sec
·
Donna Drive
14
Turn left onto Holly Street
516 ft
·
22 sec
·
Holly Street
15
Arrive at destination
Holly Street
Trip Plan
Given the 35-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a smart move. Because the entire route is under 30 miles, you won't need to plan for formal rest breaks or fuel stops along the way. Keep your $4 fuel budget in mind when planning your total trip expenses for the day. Since the drive is quite short, you can easily adapt your schedule to fit your personal agenda. A specific tip for this route is to stay alert during the transition between Green Pond Road and the Christopher Columbus Highway, as the road layout changes frequently throughout the 26.7-mile trek.
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 13.3 miles from Lake Telemark, NJ, or about 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.7 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 26.7 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13.3 miles or 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 28m
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 Lake Telemark, 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 Lake Telemark, NJ
This is one driving day of about 26.7 miles and 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lake Telemark, 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 Christopher Columbus Highway for about 15.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13.3 mi from Lake Telemark, NJ · 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
13 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 26.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 13.3 miles from Lake Telemark, 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
$4.42 one way
$8.84 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
9 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $4.83 | $9.67 |
| premium | $4.92 | $5.17 | $10.35 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.93 | $11.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8 | 0 | $2.80 | $1.28 |
| Efficient EV | 6.7 | 0 | $2.34 | $1.07 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.7 | 0 | $3.74 | $1.71 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 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
Late night in Clifton on Monday
Local time
1:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
59°F
Ramapo, NY
13 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
4 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
35m 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 Lake Telemark, NJ to Clifton, NJ covers 26.7 miles and takes about 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Christopher Columbus Highway, US 46, Green Pond Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13.3 miles from Lake Telemark, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.42 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 12 significant decision points across 26.7 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 4.3 miles (I 80 / Christopher Columbus Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 20 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.5 miles (US 46): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Lake Telemark, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward New York and Passaic.
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