Origin
North Wildwood, NJ
Night in North Wildwood on Sunday
Local time
9:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from North Wildwood, NJ to Clifton, NJ
Drive Time
3h 11m
Distance
153.8 mi
248 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 0m
★
6 AM
3h 11m
8 AM
3h 35m
10 AM
3h 20m
12 PM
3h 17m
3 PM
3h 21m
5 PM
3h 34m
8 PM
3h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clifton, NJ
James Kampeis
Trip Overview
Traveling from North Wildwood to Clifton spans 153.8 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 11 minutes. Because this journey is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via North Wildwood Boulevard and the Garden State Parkway before finishing your trek on Allwood Road. Expect to spend roughly $25 in fuel, making this an economical option for a quick jaunt across the state. Whether you are heading north for business or a visit, the route is straightforward and efficient for drivers looking to minimize travel time.
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
76.9 miles from North Wildwood, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a quintessential highway-focused drive, with 94% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will settle in for a long, consistent haul, as the Garden State Parkway accounts for 144.5 miles of the total distance. You can expect a steady, predictable pace for the vast majority of your time behind the wheel. Once you exit the parkway, the final transition onto local roads provides a quick shift in scenery as you reach your destination in Clifton. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive designed for getting you from the coast to the northern part of the state as quickly as possible.
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.
Garden State Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 144.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and North Wildwood Boulevard. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.7 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 153.8 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 4.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 4.9 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.7 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
4.7 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward GSP Toll North: Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 6
Toward GSP Toll North: Garden State Parkway
5
4.9 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 none lane.
5
17.7 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
6
51.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m 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
150.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 3m 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 | 144.5 mi | 2h 54m |
| North Wildwood Boulevard | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Allwood Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| West Spruce Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Clifton Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| West Passaic Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| New Jersey Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| East Passaic Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 144.5 mi, about 2h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Wildwood, NJ and Clifton, NJ.
1
Start on East 12th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
East 12th Avenue
2
Turn right onto CR 621; OD
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
New Jersey Avenue
3
Continue on CR 621; OD
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
West Anglesea Drive
4
Continue on NJ 147; OD
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
West Spruce Avenue
5
Continue on NJ 147; OD
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
North Wildwood Boulevard
6
Turn slight right
432 ft
·
15 sec
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 6
Toward GSP Toll North: Garden State Parkway
8
Merge onto GSP
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the none lane.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
31 sec
10
Merge onto GSP
34 mi
·
39 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
50 mi
·
58 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
31 sec
13
Continue on GSP
48 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 151
Toward Montclair, Nutley
Use 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
To make the most of this 153.8-mile stretch, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and break up the monotony of the highway. Leaving early in the day is your best bet to avoid potential traffic congestion on the Garden State Parkway, which serves as the backbone of your route. Since the drive is just over three hours, you have the flexibility to power through or take a leisurely break depending on your schedule. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the long 144.5-mile parkway stretch to ensure you don't need to hunt for a station during peak traffic hours. Embracing the simplicity of this route allows you to focus on arriving at your destination refreshed and on time.
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 76.9 miles from North Wildwood, NJ, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 144.5 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 80 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.9 miles or 1h 31m 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 32m
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 Wildwood, 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 Wildwood, NJ
This is one driving day of about 153.8 miles and 3h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from North Wildwood, 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 144.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.9 mi from North Wildwood, NJ · 1h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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 76.9 miles from North Wildwood, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Garden State Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 144.5 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.45 one way
$50.90 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $27.85 | $55.69 |
| premium | $4.92 | $29.80 | $59.61 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $34.17 | $68.34 |
Estimated Tolls: $8.66
Garden State Parkway
(144.5 mi)
$8.66
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
$25
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.1 | 0 | $16.15 | $7.38 |
| Efficient EV | 38.5 | 0 | $13.46 | $6.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.5 | 0 | $21.53 | $9.84 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% 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
Night in Clifton on Sunday
Local time
9:51 PM
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
4 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 11m 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 Wildwood, NJ to Clifton, NJ covers 153.8 miles and takes about 3h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, North Wildwood Boulevard, Allwood 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 76.9 miles from North Wildwood, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.45 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 19 significant decision points across 153.8 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 4.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 4.9 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.7 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from North Wildwood, NJ to Clifton, NJ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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