Road Trips from Clifton, NJ
Planning a weekend escape from Clifton, NJ? You've got options ranging from quick, half-day trips to slightly longer drives. Most routes are highway-focused with flat terrain, making for straightforward travel. You can easily reach destinations with access to significant parklands like Paterson Great Falls or Thomas Edison National Historical Park, or opt for longer journeys into southern New Jersey. Whether you're looking for a short drive to a nearby town or a longer haul to explore more of the state's natural areas, there's a route tailored to your weekend plans.
Total Routes
39
Shortest
1h
With Parks Nearby
39
Under 2 hours
20 total in this range
Crestwood Village, NJ
1h 50m84.1 mi one way
This is one of your closest options at 1.8 hours and 84.1 miles. It offers access to multiple national historical parks, including Thomas Edison and Paterson Great Falls. The drive is primarily highway with flat terrain, rated a 7 for its drive score.
Seaside Heights, NJ
1h 47m75 mi one way
At 75 miles and 1.8 hours, this trip is similar in drive time to Crestwood Village but covers less distance. Like other nearby options, it includes access to notable parks such as Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Paterson Great Falls. The drive score is a 7, with mostly flat terrain.
Twin Rivers, NJ
1h 12m54.5 mi one way
This is a shorter, 1.2-hour drive covering 54.5 miles, making it one of the most accessible options. It's a straightforward, mostly highway route with flat terrain and a drive score of 7. You'll have access to Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area.
Florence, NJ
1h 35m75 mi one way
Covering 75 miles and taking about 1.6 hours, this trip offers a bit more distance than Twin Rivers. The drive score is a 7, and the terrain is mostly flat. Parks like Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area are accessible from this route.
Groveville, NJ
1h 29m65.6 mi one way
At 65.6 miles and 1.5 hours, this is a moderately short drive. The route has a drive score of 7 and features mostly flat terrain. You can access Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area during your trip.
Full-day getaway
19 total in this range
Olivet, NJ
2h 31m119.7 mi one way
This is one of your longer drives, covering 119.7 miles and taking 2.5 hours. It boasts a higher drive score of 9, suggesting a more engaging route, though the terrain remains mostly flat. Access to Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area is provided.
Newfield, NJ
2h 34m122.4 mi one way
At 122.4 miles and 2.6 hours, this is the longest drive among your options. It also has a high drive score of 9, indicating a potentially more interesting route. The terrain is mostly flat, and you'll have access to parks like Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park.
Cape May, NJ
3h 15m157.9 mi one way
This is the longest and most time-consuming option, spanning 157.9 miles and requiring 3.3 hours. Despite the distance, it has a drive score of 8 and mostly flat terrain. Parks nearby include Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park.
Jefferson, NJ
2h 18m111.7 mi one way
This route covers 111.7 miles and takes approximately 2.3 hours, with a drive score of 8. The terrain is mostly flat, and you'll have access to Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area.
Pomona, NJ
2h 26m115.6 mi one way
Taking 2.4 hours and covering 115.6 miles, this is one of the longer drives. It features a drive score of 8 and mostly flat terrain. You can visit parks such as Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park along the way.
Browse by Mood
Olivet, NJ
2h 31m119.7 mi one way
Newfield, NJ
2h 34m122.4 mi one way
Cape May, NJ
3h 15m157.9 mi one way
Jefferson, NJ
2h 18m111.7 mi one way
Cape May, NJ
3h 15m157.9 mi one way
Tuckerton, NJ
2h 7m100.7 mi one way
Hammonton, NJ
2h 13m102.9 mi one way
Woodbury, NJ
2h 8m101.1 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
Flat terrain and access to parks like Thomas Edison National Historical Park make spring drives pleasant, with routes offering moderate distances for day trips.
Summer
The mostly highway routes with flat terrain are suitable for summer travel. Longer drives to areas with park access provide opportunities for outdoor activities.
Fall
With mostly flat terrain and access to several historical parks, fall drives offer easy travel through varied distances, suitable for leaf-peeping.
Winter
The predominantly flat terrain and highway-focused routes ensure consistent accessibility for winter travel, even on the longer drives.
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.