Origin
Laurel Lake, NJ
Morning in Laurel Lake on Wednesday
Local time
8:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Laurel Lake, NJ to Clifton, NJ
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
2h 53m
Distance
126 mi
203 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 42m
★
6 AM
2h 53m
8 AM
3h 15m
10 AM
3h 1m
12 PM
2h 59m
3 PM
3h 2m
5 PM
3h 14m
8 PM
2h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clifton, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Laurel Lake, NJ to Clifton, NJ covers 126 miles and takes about 2h 53m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, Trenton Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 36.9 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.89 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
63 miles from Laurel Lake, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
The drive from Laurel Lake, NJ to Clifton, NJ covers 126 miles and takes about 2h 53m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 46 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 route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4 miles in near NJ 49; CR 555 / West Main Street.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 126 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 miles (NJ 49; CR 555 / West Main Street): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles (NJ 47 / North 2nd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 99 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 27 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
4 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
NJ 49; CR 555 / West Main Street
Merge onto NJ 49; CR 555 / West Main Street
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
4.3 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
NJ 47 / North 2nd Street
Turn left onto NJ 47 / North 2nd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
99 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m 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
99.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m 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
122.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m 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 Laurel Lake, 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
44.2 mi in
|
~1h 4m
|
via US 206
Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
60.8 mi in
|
~1h 25m
Njtp North: New York City
61.4 mi in
|
~1h 27m
Gsp
99 mi in
|
~2h 12m
Woodbridge
99 mi in
|
~2h 12m
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 |
| South Lincoln Avenue | 8 mi | 11m |
| 12th Street | 6.1 mi | 7m |
| Silver Run Road | 3.6 mi | 7m |
| Buena-Hammonton Road | 2.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 36.9 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Laurel Lake, NJ and Clifton, NJ.
1
Start on this road
240 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
Toward CR 627
2
Turn straight onto CR 627
3.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Silver Run Road
3
Continue on CR 555
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
South Race Street
4
Turn right onto CR 555
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Cedar Street
5
Merge onto NJ 49; CR 555
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
West Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Turn left onto NJ 47
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
North 2nd Street
Use the left lane.
7
Turn right onto East Broad Street
395 ft
·
14 sec
·
East Broad Street
8
Turn left onto CR 555
236 ft
·
3 sec
·
North 3rd Street
9
Turn slight right onto CR 555
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Wheaton Avenue
10
Continue on CR 555
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
South Main Road
11
Turn slight right onto CR 655
8.0 mi
·
11 min
·
South Lincoln Avenue
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on CR 619
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Wheat Road
13
Continue on NJ 54
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Blue Anchor Road
14
Continue on NJ 54
0.7 mi
·
52 sec
·
Hammonton Road
15
Continue on NJ 54
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Buena-Hammonton Road
16
Continue on NJ 54
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
12th Street
17
Continue on NJ 54
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
Route 54 North
18
Continue on NJ 54
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
12th Street
19
Continue on NJ 54
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Bellevue Avenue
20
Turn right onto NJ 54
501 ft
·
8 sec
·
NJ 54
21
Continue on US 206
18 mi
·
23 min
·
Trenton Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Enter roundabout onto US 206
498 ft
·
6 sec
·
US 206
Toward US 206 North: Trenton, New York
23
Continue on US 206
7.6 mi
·
10 min
·
US 206
Toward US 206 North: Trenton, New York
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on US 206
8.8 mi
·
10 min
·
US 206
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 Toll, NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
28
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
37 mi
·
42 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
29
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 11
Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge
Use the slight right lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward GSP North: Garden State Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
31
Merge onto GSP
22 mi
·
30 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 151
Toward Montclair, Nutley
Use the slight right lane.
33
Turn right onto CR 655
483 ft
·
15 sec
·
Watchung Avenue
34
At end of road, turn left onto CR 652
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Passaic Avenue
35
Turn right onto CR 622
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
West Passaic Avenue
36
Turn left onto CR 622
411 ft
·
7 sec
·
Darling Avenue
Use the left lane.
37
Continue on CR 622
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Bloomfield Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
38
Enter roundabout onto CR 602
261 ft
·
4 sec
·
Allwood Road
39
Continue on CR 602
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Allwood Road
40
Turn right onto NJ 161
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Clifton Avenue
41
Turn right onto Olga B Terrace
174 ft
·
9 sec
·
Olga B Terrace
42
Turn right onto Hutton Road
39 ft
·
6 sec
·
Hutton Road
43
Turn left onto Olga B Terrace
441 ft
·
25 sec
·
Olga B Terrace
44
Turn left onto Donna Drive
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
Donna Drive
45
Turn right onto Holly Street
516 ft
·
22 sec
·
Holly Street
46
Arrive at destination
Holly Street
Trip Plan
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 63 miles from Laurel Lake, NJ, or about 1h 30m 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 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63 miles or 1h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 19m
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 Laurel Lake, 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 Laurel Lake, NJ
This is one driving day of about 126 miles and 2h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Laurel Lake, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
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 63 mi from Laurel Lake, NJ · 1h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
63 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 63 miles from Laurel Lake, 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
$20.89 one way
$41.78 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
44 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $22.88 | $45.76 |
| premium | $4.93 | $24.44 | $48.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.82 | $55.64 |
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
$21
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.8 | 0 | $13.23 | $6.05 |
| Efficient EV | 31.5 | 0 | $11.02 | $5.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.4 | 0 | $17.64 | $8.06 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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
Morning in Clifton on Wednesday
Local time
8:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°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
2 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 53m 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 Laurel Lake, NJ to Clifton, NJ covers 126 miles and takes about 2h 53m 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. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 63 miles from Laurel Lake, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.89 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 126 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 miles (NJ 49; CR 555 / West Main Street): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles (NJ 47 / North 2nd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 99 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Laurel Lake, 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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