Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
25m
Distance
13.9 mi
22 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
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.
Maplewood, NJ
Thomas Parker
Clifton, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Maplewood, NJ to Clifton, NJ covers 13.9 miles and takes about 25m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Garden State Parkway, Elmwood Avenue, Allwood Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 7 miles on Garden State Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $2.30 one way before food or hotel costs.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 25m. Total distance: 13.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (53%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
The drive from Maplewood, NJ to Clifton, NJ covers 13.9 miles and takes about 25m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in near Elmwood Avenue.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 13.9 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: at 1.3 miles (Elmwood Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles (CR 603 / Springfield Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles (Eastern Parkway): 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 right onto Elmwood Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto CR 603 / Springfield Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto Eastern Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 Maplewood, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp North, Montclair and Nutley.
Gsp North
Montclair
Nutley
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 7 mi | 9m |
| Elmwood Avenue | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| Allwood Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| Springfield Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Clifton Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| West Passaic Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| East Passaic Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Bloomfield Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Maplewood, NJ and Clifton, NJ.
Start on Dunnell Road
Turn right onto Oakland Road
At end of road, turn left onto Prospect Street
Turn right onto Elmwood Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto Elmwood Avenue
Turn right onto CR 605
Turn left onto CR 603
Turn left onto Eastern Parkway
Take the ramp
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
Regular Gas
$2.30 one way
$4.61 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $2.52 | $5.05 |
| premium | $4.93 | $2.70 | $5.39 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.07 | $6.14 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.42
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$2
Tolls
$0
Total
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.2 | 0 | $1.46 | $0.67 |
| Efficient EV | 3.5 | 0 | $1.22 | $0.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.6 | 0 | $1.95 | $0.89 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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
Late night in Maplewood on Friday
Local time
2:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Partly Sunny
Destination
Late night in Clifton on Friday
Local time
2:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Maplewood, NJ or browse trips ending in Clifton, NJ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NJ road trips.
