Traveling from Medford to Clifton covers approximately 83.7 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 32 minutes of drive time. Because this journey is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip, eliminating the need for any overnight stays. You can expect to spend around $14 on fuel for the trek, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. Navigating through the Northeast, you will primarily use local thoroughfares like Medford-Mount Holly Road, Main Street, and the Mount Holly Bypass. This route is an ideal choice if you prefer staying off the major interstates and navigating local corridors between these two New Jersey communities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.9 miles from Medford, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 51m. Total distance: 83.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous highway cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will spend your entire time navigating local roads, which keeps the driving experience engaging but requires your full attention at intersections. Since there are no designated stops along the way, you should prepare for a continuous drive without the relief of major highway stretches. The character of this trip is defined by its transition through local corridors, offering a consistent pace that avoids the high-speed intensity of typical interstate travel. Be ready for frequent turns as you transition between the local routes that connect these two points.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 31 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 46.5 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 5.3 miles in near CR 541 / Mount Holly Bypass.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 83.9 miles you will encounter 21 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 5.3 miles (CR 541 / Mount Holly Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 56.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
5.3 mi into trip|~8m in|CR 541 / Mount Holly Bypass
Turn left onto CR 541 / Mount Holly Bypass
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
10.1 mi into trip|~16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJTP North: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward NJTP North: New York
8
56.9 mi into trip|~1h 10m 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
57.4 mi into trip|~1h 11m 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
80.3 mi into trip|~1h 43m 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 Medford, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward All Turns, Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York, Gsp and Woodbridge.
All Turns
9.7 mi in|~14m
Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
9.9 mi in|~15m|via NJ Turnpike Exit 5
Njtp North: New York
10.1 mi in|~16m
Gsp
56.9 mi in|~1h 10m
Woodbridge
56.9 mi in|~1h 10m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
46.5 mi
53m
Garden State Parkway
22.2 mi
30m
Main Street
2.9 mi
4m
Mount Holly Bypass
2.5 mi
3m
Medford-Mount Holly Road
2.1 mi
3m
Burlington-Mount Holly Road
1.6 mi
2m
Allwood Road
1 mi
1m
Clifton Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 46.5 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Medford, NJ and Clifton, NJ.
1
Start on CR 541
0.3 mi·25 sec·North Main Street
2
Continue on CR 541
2.1 mi·3 min·Medford-Mount Holly Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on CR 541
2.9 mi·4 min·Main Street
4
Turn left onto CR 541
2.0 mi·2 min·Mount Holly Bypass
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Continue on CR 541
0.2 mi·19 sec·Mount Holly Avenue Bypass
6
Continue on CR 541
0.5 mi·49 sec·Mount Holly Bypass
7
At end of road, turn left onto CR 541
1.6 mi·2 min·Burlington-Mount Holly Road
Use the left lane.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi·27 sec
Toward NJTP: Hancock Lane, All Turns
9
Turn left onto Hancock Lane
306 ft·6 sec·Hancock Lane
10
Continue on NJ Turnpike Exit 5
0.2 mi·40 sec·NJ Turnpike Exit 5
Toward NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·52 sec
Toward NJTP North: New York
12
Merge onto NJTP
5.1 mi·5 min·New Jersey Turnpike
13
Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP
41 mi·47 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 11Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, WoodbridgeUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward GSP North: Garden State ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto GSP
22 mi·30 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 151Toward Montclair, NutleyUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn right onto CR 655
483 ft·15 sec·Watchung Avenue
19
At end of road, turn left onto CR 652
0.4 mi·45 sec·East Passaic Avenue
20
Turn right onto CR 622
0.5 mi·52 sec·West Passaic Avenue
21
Turn left onto CR 622
411 ft·7 sec·Darling Avenue
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on CR 622
0.4 mi·37 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Enter roundabout onto CR 602
261 ft·4 sec·Allwood Road
24
Continue on CR 602
1.0 mi·1 min·Allwood Road
25
Turn right onto NJ 161
0.5 mi·1 min·Clifton Avenue
26
Turn right onto Olga B Terrace
174 ft·9 sec·Olga B Terrace
27
Turn right onto Hutton Road
39 ft·6 sec·Hutton Road
28
Turn left onto Olga B Terrace
441 ft·25 sec·Olga B Terrace
29
Turn left onto Donna Drive
0.1 mi·33 sec·Donna Drive
30
Turn right onto Holly Street
516 ft·22 sec·Holly Street
31
Arrive at destination
Holly Street
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 32 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around local traffic patterns. Since there are no planned stops on this 83.7-mile route, make sure to handle all fueling and personal needs before you head out from Medford. A $14 fuel budget should cover your needs, but keeping an eye on your tank before leaving is a smart move for a non-highway route. Because you are sticking to local roads like the Mount Holly Bypass, stay alert for changing speed limits and residential zones that often appear on these types of connectors. Taking this direct approach allows you to reach Clifton efficiently without the unpredictability of heavy interstate congestion.
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 41.9 miles from Medford, NJ, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.5 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 18 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.9 miles or 53m 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 31m
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 Medford, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Medford, NJ
This is one driving day of about 83.9 miles and 1h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Medford, 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 46.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 41.9 mi from Medford, NJ
· 53m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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 83.7
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 69.3
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 72.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.91 one way
$27.82 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$15.23
$30.47
premium
$4.93
$16.27
$32.54
diesel
$5.61
$18.52
$37.05
Estimated Tolls: $7.87
New Jersey Turnpike
(46.5 mi)$6.51
Garden State Parkway
(22.2 mi)$1.33
Nj Turnpike
(0.2 mi)$0.03
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
$14
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.2
0
$8.81
$4.03
Efficient EV
21
0
$7.34
$3.36
EV Truck/SUV
33.6
0
$11.75
$5.37
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Medford, NJ
Morning
in Medford on Saturday
Local time
10:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 5 to 15 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Clifton, NJ
Morning
in Clifton on Saturday
Local time
10:40 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
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
1h 51m 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 Medford, NJ to Clifton, NJ covers 83.9 miles and takes about 1h 51m 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, Main Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 41.9 miles from Medford, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.91 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 83.9 miles you will encounter 21 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: at 5.3 miles (CR 541 / Mount Holly Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 56.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Medford, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward All Turns, Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York, Gsp and Woodbridge.
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.
