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Trip from North Cape May, NJ to Clifton, NJ

Drive Time

3h 18m

Distance

159.6 mi

257 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 7m ★
6 AM
3h 19m
8 AM
3h 43m
10 AM
3h 27m
12 PM
3h 25m
3 PM
3h 28m
5 PM
3h 42m
8 PM
3h 12m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown North Cape May, NJ, NJ

North Cape May, NJ

Aisling Kerr

Downtown Clifton, NJ, NJ

Clifton, NJ

James Kampeis

Trip Overview

The drive from North Cape May, NJ to Clifton, NJ covers 159.6 miles and takes about 3h 18m 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, Lincoln Boulevard, Sandman Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 150.9 miles on Garden State Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.41 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

79.8 miles from North Cape May, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 3h 18m highway drive covering 159.6 miles, with most of the trip on Garden State Parkway and Lincoln Boulevard. The longest continuous stretch is about 150.9 miles on Garden State Parkway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Garden State Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 150.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Lincoln Boulevard. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near Lincoln Boulevard.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 159.6 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 0.5 miles (Lincoln Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
0.5 mi into trip | ~2m in | Lincoln Boulevard

At end of road, turn left onto Lincoln Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
7
3.7 mi into trip | ~7m in

Keep slight left at fork toward GSP North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward GSP North
5
4.2 mi into trip | ~8m in | GSP / Garden State Parkway

Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.
6
57.3 mi into trip | ~1h 9m in | GSP / Garden State Parkway

Keep slight left at fork onto GSP / Garden State Parkway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
8
156 mi into trip | ~3h 11m 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

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Garden State Parkway 150.9 mi 3h 2m
Lincoln Boulevard 1.4 mi 1m
Sandman Boulevard 1.1 mi 1m
Allwood Road 1 mi 1m
Shore Road 0.6 mi 1m
Pacific Avenue 0.5 mi 2m
Clifton Avenue 0.5 mi 1m
West Passaic Avenue 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Garden State Parkway — 150.9 mi, about 3h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North Cape May, NJ and Clifton, NJ.

1

Start on Pacific Avenue

0.5 mi · 2 min · Pacific Avenue
2

At end of road, turn left onto Lincoln Boulevard

1.4 mi · 1 min · Lincoln Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
3

Continue on US 9

1.1 mi · 1 min · Sandman Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
4

Turn right onto NJ 109

0.6 mi · 1 min · Shore Road
5

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward GSP North Use the straight lane.
6

Merge onto GSP

19 mi · 21 min · Garden State Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
7

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 31 sec
8

Merge onto GSP

34 mi · 39 min · Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto GSP

50 mi · 58 min · Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 31 sec
11

Continue on GSP

48 mi · 1 hr 2 min · Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Exit 151 Toward Montclair, Nutley Use the slight right lane.
13

Turn right onto CR 655

483 ft · 15 sec · Watchung Avenue
14

At end of road, turn left onto CR 652

0.4 mi · 45 sec · East Passaic Avenue
15

Turn right onto CR 622

0.5 mi · 52 sec · West Passaic Avenue
16

Turn left onto CR 622

411 ft · 7 sec · Darling Avenue
Use the left lane.
17

Continue on CR 622

0.4 mi · 37 sec · Bloomfield Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
18

Enter roundabout onto CR 602

261 ft · 4 sec · Allwood Road
19

Continue on CR 602

1.0 mi · 1 min · Allwood Road
20

Turn right onto NJ 161

0.5 mi · 1 min · Clifton Avenue
21

Turn right onto Olga B Terrace

174 ft · 9 sec · Olga B Terrace
22

Turn right onto Hutton Road

39 ft · 6 sec · Hutton Road
23

Turn left onto Olga B Terrace

441 ft · 25 sec · Olga B Terrace
24

Turn left onto Donna Drive

0.1 mi · 33 sec · Donna Drive
25

Turn right onto Holly Street

516 ft · 22 sec · Holly Street
26

Arrive at destination

Holly Street

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 79.8 miles from North Cape May, NJ, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 150.9 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 36m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 79.8 miles or 1h 35m 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 38m

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 North Cape May, 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 North Cape May, NJ

This is one driving day of about 159.6 miles and 3h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from North Cape May, 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 Garden State Parkway for about 150.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 79.8 mi from North Cape May, NJ · 1h 35m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

80 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

Staten Island, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 79.8 miles from North Cape May, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Garden State Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 150.9 miles.

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.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

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...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 near mile 154.1
Park Closure: Glenmont Mansion and Grounds Closed
View on nps.gov
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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 159.6
View on nps.gov
Morristown National Historical Park

Morristown National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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 143.1
View on nps.gov
Gateway National Recreation Area

Gateway National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

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...

18 mi from route ~45 min detour Free near mile 115.6
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.41 one way

$52.82 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 56 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $28.90 $57.80
premium $4.92 $30.93 $61.85
diesel $5.64 $35.46 $70.92

Estimated Tolls: $9.05

Garden State Parkway (150.9 mi) $9.05

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

$26

Tolls

$9

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 55.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 47.9 0 $16.76 $7.66
Efficient EV 39.9 0 $13.96 $6.38
EV Truck/SUV 63.8 0 $22.34 $10.21

Gas CO2

56 kg

EV CO2

19 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 data refreshed 4 years ago

Origin

North Cape May, NJ

Morning in North Cape May on Monday

Local time

11:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

40°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clifton, NJ

Morning in Clifton on Monday

Local time

11:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

59°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

19 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

3h 18m 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 North Cape May, NJ to Clifton, NJ covers 159.6 miles and takes about 3h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, Lincoln Boulevard, Sandman Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 79.8 miles from North Cape May, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.41 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 18 significant decision points across 159.6 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 0.5 miles (Lincoln Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from North Cape May, NJ to Clifton, NJ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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