This 118.5-mile journey from Penns Grove, NJ to Clifton, NJ is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. You'll primarily be on major highways, with 93% of the drive being on high-speed roads, making it a highway-focused trip. The estimated fuel cost is around $20, and you'll encounter just one main stop opportunity along the way. This route is entirely within the Northeast region of the US, specifically within New Jersey. It’s a straightforward drive that’s perfect for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
59.3 miles from Penns Grove, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 12m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 30m. Total distance: 118.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with a 93% highway share. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 77.6 miles along the New Jersey Turnpike, offering a consistent pace. This drive is characterized by its focus on efficient travel, utilizing major roadways like the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, and I-295. While it’s a highway-centric route, the transition between these major arteries is smooth, keeping you moving steadily towards your destination.
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.
New Jersey Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 77.6 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 9.4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 118.5 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 9.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 91.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
9.4 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward US 322 East: Mullica Hill
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 11A
Toward US 322 East: Mullica Hill
7
13.3 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the exit toward NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
8
91.6 mi into trip|~1h 49m 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
92 mi into trip|~1h 51m 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
115 mi into trip|~2h 23m 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 Penns Grove, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike, Nj Turnpike North, New York City, Gsp and Woodbridge.
Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
13.3 mi in|~18m
Nj Turnpike North
13.5 mi in|~19m
New York City
13.5 mi in|~19m
Gsp
91.6 mi in|~1h 49m
Woodbridge
91.6 mi in|~1h 49m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
77.6 mi
1h 29m
Garden State Parkway
22.2 mi
30m
I 295
7.3 mi
8m
US 322
3.7 mi
6m
Harding Highway
1.6 mi
2m
Allwood Road
1 mi
1m
Clifton Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
West Passaic Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 77.6 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Penns Grove, NJ and Clifton, NJ.
1
Start on CR 675
0.3 mi·48 sec·East Main Street
2
Continue on NJ 48
1.6 mi·2 min·Harding Highway
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 295 North
4
Merge onto I 295
7.3 mi·8 min·I 295
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 11AToward US 322 East: Mullica HillUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto US 322; CR 536
3.7 mi·6 min·US 322; CR 536
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward NJTP Toll: New Jersey TurnpikeUse the right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ Turnpike North, New York City
9
Merge onto NJTP
36 mi·41 min·New Jersey Turnpike
10
Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP
41 mi·47 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 11Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, WoodbridgeUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward GSP North: Garden State ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto GSP
22 mi·30 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
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
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 30 minutes, this route is easily manageable as a single-day trip. Consider departing early in the morning to avoid potential traffic congestion, especially as you approach the northern New Jersey area. With a fuel cost estimate of $20, it’s wise to ensure your tank is full before you leave Penns Grove. The longest stretch without a major exit is over 77 miles, so plan any necessary breaks accordingly. Keep an eye out for signage directing you onto the Garden State Parkway, as this is a key segment of your journey.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 59.3 miles from Penns Grove, NJ, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.6 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 26 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.3 miles or 1h 12m 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 58m
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 Penns Grove, 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 Penns Grove, NJ
This is one driving day of about 118.5 miles and 2h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Penns Grove, 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 New Jersey Turnpike for about 77.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.3 mi from Penns Grove, NJ
· 1h 12m into the drive
The midpoint is around 59.3 miles from Penns Grove, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before New Jersey Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.6 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.
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 118.5
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 102.2
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
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 106.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.65 one way
$39.29 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$21.52
$43.03
premium
$4.93
$22.98
$45.96
diesel
$5.61
$26.16
$52.33
Estimated Tolls: $12.19
New Jersey Turnpike
(77.6 mi)$10.86
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
$20
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.6
0
$12.44
$5.69
Efficient EV
29.6
0
$10.37
$4.74
EV Truck/SUV
47.4
0
$16.59
$7.58
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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 17, 2026
Origin
Penns Grove, NJ
Late night
in Penns Grove on Saturday
Local time
1:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clifton, NJ
Late night
in Clifton on Saturday
Local time
1:37 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
20 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
2h 30m 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 Penns Grove, NJ to Clifton, NJ covers 118.5 miles and takes about 2h 30m 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, I 295. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.3 miles from Penns Grove, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.65 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.
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 22 significant decision points across 118.5 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 9.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 91.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Penns Grove, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike, Nj Turnpike 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.
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.
