Skip to main content

Road Trips from Clifton, NJ

From Clifton, you've got options for quick escapes or longer drives, all generally on flat terrain. Most destinations are within a 2-hour drive, making them easy day trips. You can hit several parks, including historical sites and national recreation areas, on these routes. If you're looking for a longer haul, there are even options pushing past 3 hours, offering a bit more time on the road.

Total Routes

40

Shortest

0.5h

With Parks Nearby

40

Under 2 hours

21 total in this range

Crestwood Village, NJ

1h 50m

84.1 mi one way

This 1.8-hour drive is a straightforward, mostly highway route. It offers access to Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, similar to other nearby options, but it's a bit further than Twin Rivers.

Parks nearby

Seaside Heights, NJ

1h 47m

75 mi one way

Clocking in at 1.8 hours, this trip is a mostly highway drive with flat terrain. It shares park access with other destinations, including Thomas Edison National Historical Park, and is comparable in distance to Crestwood Village.

Parks nearby

Twin Rivers, NJ

1h 12m

54.5 mi one way

At just 1.2 hours, this is one of your closest options. It's a mostly highway drive with flat terrain and provides access to Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area, making it a convenient nature-focused day trip.

Parks nearby

Florence, NJ

1h 35m

75 mi one way

This 1.6-hour drive is primarily on highways, with flat terrain. It offers park access to Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Thomas Edison National Historical Park, similar to other routes, but is a bit longer than the Twin Rivers option.

Parks nearby

Groveville, NJ

1h 29m

65.6 mi one way

Covering 65.6 miles and taking 1.5 hours, this drive features mostly highway and flat terrain. You'll have access to Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Thomas Edison National Historical Park, making it a solid choice for park exploration.

Parks nearby

Full-day getaway

19 total in this range

Olivet, NJ

2h 31m

119.7 mi one way

This longer, 2.5-hour drive has a higher drive score of 9. It's a mostly highway route with flat terrain and includes park access to Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area, making it a good choice for a more extended outing.

Parks nearby High drive score

Newfield, NJ

2h 34m

122.4 mi one way

At 2.6 hours, this is one of the longest options, featuring a drive score of 9. The route is mostly highway with flat terrain and offers access to Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area, suitable for a full day's excursion.

Parks nearby High drive score

Cape May, NJ

3h 15m

157.9 mi one way

This 3.3-hour trip is your longest option, with a drive score of 8. It's a mostly highway journey over flat terrain, providing access to Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. It's the furthest destination available.

Parks nearby High drive score

Jefferson, NJ

2h 18m

111.7 mi one way

This 2.3-hour drive offers a higher drive score of 8. It's a mostly highway route with flat terrain, and includes park access to Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area, making it a good option for a longer day trip.

Parks nearby High drive score

Pomona, NJ

2h 26m

115.6 mi one way

At 2.4 hours, this drive has a drive score of 8. It's a mostly highway route with flat terrain, and you can visit parks like Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. This is a longer excursion compared to the closer destinations.

Parks nearby High drive score

Browse by Mood

When to Go

Spring

Flat terrain and nearby parks like Thomas Edison National Historical Park make spring drives pleasant, with most routes being a short drive.

Summer

These mostly highway routes over flat terrain are suitable for summer trips, with park access to places like Gateway National Recreation Area.

Fall

Enjoy the mostly flat terrain on these drives, with options to visit parks like Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park as the seasons change.

Winter

The flat terrain and mostly highway routes are accessible year-round, though park accessibility may vary.

Starting Somewhere Else?

Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.

Ready to plan?

Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Clifton, NJ city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.