This 126.6-mile drive from Atlantic City to Clifton, New Jersey, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes. You'll primarily be on the Garden State Parkway and the Atlantic City Expressway, with about 95% of the route being highway driving. With an estimated fuel cost of $21, this trip is quite budget-friendly for a day excursion. The longest continuous stretch on the Garden State Parkway covers 114.1 miles, meaning you can cover a significant portion of the distance without many transitions. This route is ideal for those seeking an efficient trip within the Northeast region of New Jersey.
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
63.3 miles from Atlantic City, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
114.1 mi
2h 19m
Atlantic City Expressway
6.7 mi
9m
Allwood Road
1 mi
1m
Atlantic Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
Clifton Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
West Passaic Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
East Passaic Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
Bloomfield Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 114.1 mi, about 2h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Atlantic City, NJ and Clifton, NJ.
1
Start on OD
0.8 mi·1 min·Atlantic Avenue
2
Take the exit
268 ft·7 sec
Use the right lane.
3
Turn slight right onto North Arkansas Avenue
0.2 mi·21 sec·North Arkansas Avenue
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on ACE
6.7 mi·9 min·Atlantic City Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 7NToward GSP North: New YorkUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto GSP
16 mi·18 min·Garden State Parkway
7
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
50 mi·58 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·31 sec
9
Continue on GSP
48 mi·1 hr 2 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 151Toward Montclair, NutleyUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn right onto CR 655
483 ft·15 sec·Watchung Avenue
12
At end of road, turn left onto CR 652
0.4 mi·45 sec·East Passaic Avenue
13
Turn right onto CR 622
0.5 mi·52 sec·West Passaic Avenue
14
Turn left onto CR 622
411 ft·7 sec·Darling Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on CR 622
0.4 mi·37 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Enter roundabout onto CR 602
261 ft·4 sec·Allwood Road
17
Continue on CR 602
1.0 mi·1 min·Allwood Road
18
Turn right onto NJ 161
0.5 mi·1 min·Clifton Avenue
19
Turn right onto Olga B Terrace
174 ft·9 sec·Olga B Terrace
20
Turn right onto Hutton Road
39 ft·6 sec·Hutton Road
21
Turn left onto Olga B Terrace
441 ft·25 sec·Olga B Terrace
22
Turn left onto Donna Drive
0.1 mi·33 sec·Donna Drive
23
Turn right onto Holly Street
516 ft·22 sec·Holly Street
24
Arrive at destination
Holly Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 40 minute duration, this drive from Atlantic City to Clifton is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. You'll want to keep an eye on your fuel, with an estimated cost of $21 for the 126.6 miles. While the longest stretch is 114.1 miles on the Garden State Parkway, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. Consider departing earlier in the day to avoid potential peak traffic, especially as you get closer to the Clifton area. A specific tip for this route is to be aware that the final approach on Allwood Road might be less predictable than the main highways.
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 63.3 miles from Atlantic City, NJ, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.1 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 28 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.3 miles or 1h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 7m
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 Atlantic City, 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 Atlantic City, NJ
This is one driving day of about 126.6 miles and 2h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Atlantic City, 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 Garden State Parkway for about 114.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 124.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.8 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
7.8 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the exit toward GSP North: New York
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 7N
Toward GSP North: New York
6
24.4 mi into trip|~30m in|GSP / Garden State Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
123.1 mi into trip|~2h 32m 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
5
124.3 mi into trip|~2h 34m in|CR 622 / Darling Avenue
Turn left onto CR 622 / Darling Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.99 one way
$41.98 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$22.99
$45.97
premium
$4.93
$24.55
$49.10
diesel
$5.61
$27.95
$55.90
Estimated Tolls: $6.84
Garden State Parkway
(114.1 mi)$6.84
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
$21
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38
0
$13.29
$6.08
Efficient EV
31.7
0
$11.08
$5.06
EV Truck/SUV
50.6
0
$17.72
$8.10
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Atlantic City, NJ
Night
in Atlantic City on Saturday
Local time
9:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clifton, NJ
Night
in Clifton on Saturday
Local time
9:13 PM
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
17 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 40m 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.
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 126.6
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
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 109.2
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this 126.6-mile trip. With 95% of the drive on high-speed roads like the Garden State Parkway and Atlantic City Expressway, you'll be covering ground quickly. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a substantial 114.1 miles on the Garden State Parkway, offering a consistent driving pace. While the profile is predominantly highway, the final approach into Clifton may involve some local road transitions via Allwood Road. This means you'll spend most of your time on the open highway, with the character shifting slightly as you near your destination.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 114.1 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Atlantic City Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 126.6 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 0.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.4 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Atlantic City, NJ to Clifton, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Gsp North: New York along the way.
Gsp North: New York
7.8 mi in|~11m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 40m. Total distance: 126.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 114.1 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.84 in tolls one way, starting with Garden State Parkway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Clifton, NJ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.4 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Morristown National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Clifton, NJ before heading back.
