The drive from Milford, NJ to Clifton, NJ covers 63.2 miles and takes about 1h 31m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway, Garden State Parkway, Everittstown Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 36.6 miles on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $10.48 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.
Midpoint
31.6 miles from Milford, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 63.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 31m highway drive covering 63.2 miles, with most of the trip on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway and Garden State Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 36.6 miles on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 36.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway and Garden State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.9 miles in near CR 513; CR 579 / Pittstown Road.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 63.2 miles you will encounter 23 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 8.9 miles (CR 513; CR 579 / Pittstown Road): Navigation decision point; at 28.7 miles (I 78 / Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.3 miles (I 78 / Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
8.9 mi into trip|~19m in|CR 513; CR 579 / Pittstown Road
At end of road, turn left onto CR 513; CR 579 / Pittstown Road
Navigation decision point
6
28.7 mi into trip|~44m in|I 78 / Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 78 / Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
45.3 mi into trip|~1h 3m in|I 78 / Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 78 / Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
49.8 mi into trip|~1h 9m in
Take the exit toward GSP: G.S. Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 52
Toward GSP: G.S. Parkway
8
59.7 mi into trip|~1h 24m 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 Milford, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward Newark, Gsp North Toll, Montclair and Nutley.
Newark
12.9 mi in|~26m
Gsp North Toll
50.1 mi in|~1h 10m
Montclair
59.7 mi in|~1h 24m
Nutley
59.7 mi in|~1h 24m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
36.6 mi
42m
Garden State Parkway
8.9 mi
12m
Everittstown Road
4 mi
7m
Pittstown Road
4 mi
7m
Milford - Mount Pleasant Road
2.6 mi
6m
Little York - Mount Pleasant Road
2.3 mi
5m
Allwood Road
1 mi
1m
Clifton Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
— 36.6 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Milford, NJ and Clifton, NJ.
1
Start on Bridge Street
30 ft·2 sec·Bridge Street
2
Turn right onto CR 519
519 ft·12 sec·Frenchtown Road
3
Turn left onto CR 519
2.6 mi·6 min·Milford - Mount Pleasant Road
4
Turn right onto CR 519
2.3 mi·5 min·Little York - Mount Pleasant Road
5
Turn left onto CR 513
4.0 mi·7 min·Everittstown Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto CR 513; CR 579
4.0 mi·7 min·Pittstown Road
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: New York, Newark
8
Merge onto I 78; US 22
15 mi·17 min·Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 78
17 mi·19 min·Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 78
4.6 mi·5 min·Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Exit 52Toward GSP: G.S. ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward GSP North Toll
13
Merge onto GSP
8.9 mi·12 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 151Toward Montclair, NutleyUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn right onto CR 655
483 ft·15 sec·Watchung Avenue
16
At end of road, turn left onto CR 652
0.4 mi·45 sec·East Passaic Avenue
17
Turn right onto CR 622
0.5 mi·52 sec·West Passaic Avenue
18
Turn left onto CR 622
411 ft·7 sec·Darling Avenue
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on CR 622
0.4 mi·37 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Enter roundabout onto CR 602
261 ft·4 sec·Allwood Road
21
Continue on CR 602
1.0 mi·1 min·Allwood Road
22
Turn right onto NJ 161
0.5 mi·1 min·Clifton Avenue
23
Turn right onto Olga B Terrace
174 ft·9 sec·Olga B Terrace
24
Turn right onto Hutton Road
39 ft·6 sec·Hutton Road
25
Turn left onto Olga B Terrace
441 ft·25 sec·Olga B Terrace
26
Turn left onto Donna Drive
0.1 mi·33 sec·Donna Drive
27
Turn right onto Holly Street
516 ft·22 sec·Holly Street
28
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 31.6 miles from Milford, NJ, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.6 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 14 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 31.6 miles or 48m 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 15m
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 Milford, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Milford, NJ
This is one driving day of about 63.2 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Milford, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway for about 36.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 31.6 mi from Milford, NJ
· 48m into the drive
The midpoint is around 31.3 miles from Milford, 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.
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 63.2
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 34.9
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 52.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.48 one way
$20.96 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg22 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$11.48
$22.95
premium
$4.93
$12.26
$24.51
diesel
$5.61
$13.95
$27.91
Estimated Tolls: $0.53
Garden State Parkway
(8.9 mi)$0.53
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
$10
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
19
0
$6.64
$3.03
Efficient EV
15.8
0
$5.53
$2.53
EV Truck/SUV
25.3
0
$8.85
$4.04
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 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 15, 2026
Origin
Milford, NJ
Morning
in Milford on Saturday
Local time
10:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clifton, NJ
Morning
in Clifton on Saturday
Local time
10:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°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
25 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
1h 31m 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 Milford, NJ to Clifton, NJ covers 63.2 miles and takes about 1h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway, Garden State Parkway, Everittstown Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 31.6 miles from Milford, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.48 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 63.2 miles you will encounter 23 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 8.9 miles (CR 513; CR 579 / Pittstown Road): Navigation decision point; at 28.7 miles (I 78 / Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.3 miles (I 78 / Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Milford, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward Newark, Gsp North Toll, Montclair and Nutley.
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.
