Origin
West Windsor, NJ
Night in West Windsor on Thursday
Local time
9:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from West Windsor, NJ to Clifton, NJ
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 18m
Distance
51.5 mi
83 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 12m
★
6 AM
1h 19m
8 AM
1h 31m
10 AM
1h 23m
12 PM
1h 22m
3 PM
1h 24m
5 PM
1h 30m
8 PM
1h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
West Windsor, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Clifton, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 51.5-mile drive from West Windsor, NJ, to Clifton, NJ, is a straightforward trip that should take about 1 hour and 18 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion, with an estimated fuel cost of around $9. The route is primarily highway-focused, making it a quick and efficient journey. You'll be traversing within the Northeast region, staying within New Jersey for the entire trip. Given its relatively short distance and duration, this route is ideal for a quick getaway or a functional commute.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 18m. Total distance: 51.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (62%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for this 51.5-mile journey, with 62% of the route utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 21.5 miles on the Garden State Parkway. This means you'll experience periods of consistent, higher-speed travel. The main roads you'll be on include Brunswick Pike and US 1 before merging onto the Garden State Parkway, offering a mix of highway environments.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 35 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 21.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Brunswick Pike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Princeton Place.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 51.5 miles you will encounter 26 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 0.1 miles (Princeton Place): Navigation decision point; at 15.7 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.8 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 26 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Princeton Place
Turn right onto Princeton Place
Navigation decision point
6
15.7 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
US 1
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
15.8 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
US 1
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1 toward Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|New...
7
15.9 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
US 1
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
48 mi into trip
|
~1h 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between West Windsor, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|Newark, New Brunswick, Montclair and Nutley.
Newark|Newark
15.8 mi in
|
~25m
|
via US 1
Camden
15.8 mi in
|
~25m
|
via US 1
New Brunswick|Newark
15.8 mi in
|
~25m
|
via US 1
New Brunswick
15.8 mi in
|
~25m
|
via US 1
Montclair
48 mi in
|
~1h 11m
Nutley
48 mi in
|
~1h 11m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 21.5 mi | 29m |
| Brunswick Pike | 12.9 mi | 18m |
| US 1 | 10.3 mi | 15m |
| Washington Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Allwood Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| Princeton-Hightstown Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Clifton Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| West Passaic Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 21.5 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Windsor, NJ and Clifton, NJ.
1
Start on Ziff Lane
475 ft
·
22 sec
·
Ziff Lane
2
Turn right onto Princeton Place
378 ft
·
22 sec
·
Princeton Place
3
Turn left onto Canoe Brook Drive
406 ft
·
19 sec
·
Canoe Brook Drive
4
Turn right onto Penn Lyle Road
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
Penn Lyle Road
5
Turn right onto CR 638
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Clarksville Road
6
Turn left onto CR 526; CR 571
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Princeton-Hightstown Road
7
Turn right onto CR 526; CR 571
247 ft
·
5 sec
·
Washington Road
8
Continue on CR 526; CR 571
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Road
9
Enter roundabout onto US 1
76 ft
·
4 sec
·
Brunswick Pike
10
Continue on US 1
13 mi
·
18 min
·
Brunswick Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
504 ft
·
7 sec
·
US 1
Toward Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
366 ft
·
5 sec
·
US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
US 1
15
Continue on US 1
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 1
16
Continue on US 1
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on US 1
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 1
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on US 1
5.9 mi
·
9 min
·
US 1
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward GSP Toll North: Garden State Parkway
20
Merge onto GSP
21 mi
·
29 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 151
Toward Montclair, Nutley
Use the slight right lane.
22
Turn right onto CR 655
483 ft
·
15 sec
·
Watchung Avenue
23
At end of road, turn left onto CR 652
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Passaic Avenue
24
Turn right onto CR 622
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
West Passaic Avenue
25
Turn left onto CR 622
411 ft
·
7 sec
·
Darling Avenue
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on CR 622
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Bloomfield Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Enter roundabout onto CR 602
261 ft
·
4 sec
·
Allwood Road
28
Continue on CR 602
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Allwood Road
29
Turn right onto NJ 161
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Clifton Avenue
30
Turn right onto Olga B Terrace
174 ft
·
9 sec
·
Olga B Terrace
31
Turn right onto Hutton Road
39 ft
·
6 sec
·
Hutton Road
32
Turn left onto Olga B Terrace
441 ft
·
25 sec
·
Olga B Terrace
33
Turn left onto Donna Drive
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
Donna Drive
34
Turn right onto Holly Street
516 ft
·
22 sec
·
Holly Street
35
Arrive at destination
Holly Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 25.8 mi from West Windsor, NJ · 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 25.8 miles from West Windsor, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.54 one way
$17.08 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $9.35 | $18.70 |
| premium | $4.93 | $9.99 | $19.98 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.37 | $22.74 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.29
Garden State Parkway
(21.5 mi)
$1.29
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Tolls
$1
Total
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 18 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.5 | 0 | $5.41 | $2.47 |
| Efficient EV | 12.9 | 0 | $4.51 | $2.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.6 | 0 | $7.21 | $3.30 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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 Thursday
Local time
9:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
24 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 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 West Windsor, NJ to Clifton, NJ covers 51.5 miles and takes about 1h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, Brunswick Pike, US 1. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 25.8 miles from West Windsor, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.54 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 51.5 miles you will encounter 26 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 0.1 miles (Princeton Place): Navigation decision point; at 15.7 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.8 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between West Windsor, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|Newark, New Brunswick, Montclair and Nutley.
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.
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