This 77.7-mile drive from Pemberton, NJ to Clifton, NJ is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 1 hour and 44 minutes. With a highway share of 87%, you'll spend most of your time on major arteries like the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway, with a segment on US 206. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $13. Given its relatively short distance and efficient route, this drive is well-suited for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. Both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region of the United States.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.8 miles from Pemberton, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 44m. Total distance: 77.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 77.7-mile route, with 87% of the drive utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 36.9 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike, offering a consistent pace. While primarily on high-speed roads, there is a portion of US 206 that might introduce a slight change in character. Overall, the drive is designed for efficient travel rather than scenic exploration, emphasizing smooth progress on well-maintained highways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 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 36.9 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 13.1 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.7 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 13.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.7 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
13.1 mi into trip|~18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
6
13.5 mi into trip|~19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
8
50.7 mi into trip|~1h 3m 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
51.2 mi into trip|~1h 4m 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
74.1 mi into trip|~1h 36m 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 Pemberton, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York City, Gsp and Woodbridge.
Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
12.4 mi in|~16m
Njtp North: New York City
13.1 mi in|~18m
Gsp
50.7 mi in|~1h 3m
Woodbridge
50.7 mi in|~1h 3m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
36.9 mi
42m
Garden State Parkway
22.2 mi
30m
US 206
8.7 mi
10m
North Pemberton Road
2.8 mi
4m
Allwood Road
1 mi
1m
Clifton Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
West Passaic Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
Arney's Mount Road
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 36.9 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pemberton, NJ and Clifton, NJ.
1
Start on CR 616
0.3 mi·56 sec·Hanover Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Continue on CR 616
0.1 mi·15 sec·Fort Dix Road
3
Turn slight left onto CR 668
0.4 mi·52 sec·Arney's Mount Road
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto CR 630
2.8 mi·4 min·North Pemberton Road
5
Turn right onto US 206
8.7 mi·10 min·US 206
6
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 Toll, NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
9
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
37 mi·42 min·New Jersey Turnpike
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 11Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, WoodbridgeUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward GSP North: Garden State ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto GSP
22 mi·30 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 151Toward Montclair, NutleyUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn right onto CR 655
483 ft·15 sec·Watchung Avenue
15
At end of road, turn left onto CR 652
0.4 mi·45 sec·East Passaic Avenue
16
Turn right onto CR 622
0.5 mi·52 sec·West Passaic Avenue
17
Turn left onto CR 622
411 ft·7 sec·Darling Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on CR 622
0.4 mi·37 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Enter roundabout onto CR 602
261 ft·4 sec·Allwood Road
20
Continue on CR 602
1.0 mi·1 min·Allwood Road
21
Turn right onto NJ 161
0.5 mi·1 min·Clifton Avenue
22
Turn right onto Olga B Terrace
174 ft·9 sec·Olga B Terrace
23
Turn right onto Hutton Road
39 ft·6 sec·Hutton Road
24
Turn left onto Olga B Terrace
441 ft·25 sec·Olga B Terrace
25
Turn left onto Donna Drive
0.1 mi·33 sec·Donna Drive
26
Turn right onto Holly Street
516 ft·22 sec·Holly Street
27
Arrive at destination
Holly Street
Trip Plan
With a duration of under two hours, this trip offers great flexibility; you can depart anytime that suits you. Consider an early morning start to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach more urban areas. Since there are no recommended stops, you can easily complete this journey without needing to break it up. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $13, and plan your refueling stops accordingly. A practical tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the toll systems on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway to ensure a smoother passage.
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 38.8 miles from Pemberton, NJ, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.9 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 17 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.8 miles or 49m 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 25m
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 Pemberton, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Pemberton, NJ
This is one driving day of about 77.7 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Pemberton, 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 36.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 38.8 mi from Pemberton, NJ
· 49m 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 77.7
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 61.6
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 66.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.88 one way
$25.76 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$14.11
$28.22
premium
$4.93
$15.07
$30.14
diesel
$5.61
$17.16
$34.31
Estimated Tolls: $6.49
New Jersey Turnpike
(36.9 mi)$5.16
Garden State Parkway
(22.2 mi)$1.33
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
$13
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
86 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Tesla Supercharger
Hamilton Township, New Jersey
Tesla
1 DCFC
Greenspot Charging Station
Trenton, New Jersey
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Maplewood, New Jersey
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Kearny, New Jersey
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Hamilton Township, New Jersey
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Cranbury, NJ
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Robbinsville Twp, New Jersey
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Hamilton Township, New Jersey
Tesla
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 49
Other: 14
Tesla: 8
EVgo: 5
Electrify America: 4
Blink: 3
Tesla Destination: 2
EV Connect: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.3
0
$8.16
$3.73
Efficient EV
19.4
0
$6.80
$3.11
EV Truck/SUV
31.1
0
$10.88
$4.97
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Pemberton, NJ
Late night
in Pemberton on Friday
Local time
3:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clifton, NJ
Late night
in Clifton on Friday
Local time
3:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
W 8 mph17% 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
22 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 44m 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 Pemberton, NJ to Clifton, NJ covers 77.7 miles and takes about 1h 44m 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, US 206. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 38.8 miles from Pemberton, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.88 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 77.7 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 13.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Pemberton, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York City, 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.
Data sources
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
EV charging comes from the
NREL Alternative Fuels
dataset.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the
methodology page.
