Chesterfield, NJ to Clifton, NJ is 65.2 miles and takes about 1h 33m via New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive that keeps you within the Northeast region, specifically within New Jersey for the entire journey. Given its relatively short duration and highway focus, it's an ideal route for a single-day trip when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently. You can expect a consistent driving experience for most of the trip, making it easy to plan and execute without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
32.6 miles from Chesterfield, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
31.2 mi
36m
Garden State Parkway
22.2 mi
30m
Chesterfield-Crosswicks Road
2.4 mi
4m
Yardville-Allentown Road
1.2 mi
2m
Allwood Road
1 mi
1m
Crosswicks-Hamilton Square Road
1 mi
1m
Clifton Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
West Passaic Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 31.2 mi, about 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chesterfield, NJ and Clifton, NJ.
1
Start on this road
52 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto CR 528
141 ft·9 sec·Jacobstown-Chesterfield Road
3
Turn left onto Chesterfield-Georgetown Road
0.1 mi·24 sec·Chesterfield-Georgetown Road
4
Turn left
226 ft·43 sec
5
Continue on this road
226 ft·18 sec·this road
6
Turn right onto Chesterfield-Georgetown Road
0.1 mi·21 sec·Chesterfield-Georgetown Road
7
Continue on CR 782
0.2 mi·39 sec·Matthews Lane
8
Turn right onto CR 677
2.4 mi·4 min·Chesterfield-Crosswicks Road
9
Turn left onto CR 660
0.2 mi·45 sec·Main Street
10
Turn right onto CR 660
0.4 mi·51 sec·Church Street
11
Continue on Crosswicks-Hamilton Square Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Crosswicks-Hamilton Square Road
12
Turn right onto CR 524
1.2 mi·2 min·Yardville-Allentown Road
13
Turn left onto Merrick Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Merrick Road
14
Turn left
0.2 mi·1 min
15
At end of road, turn right
0.1 mi·52 sec
16
Take the ramp
148 ft·3 sec
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Use the slight left lane.
18
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
31 mi·36 min·New Jersey Turnpike
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 11Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, WoodbridgeUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward GSP North: Garden State ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto GSP
22 mi·30 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 151Toward Montclair, NutleyUse the slight right lane.
23
Turn right onto CR 655
483 ft·15 sec·Watchung Avenue
24
At end of road, turn left onto CR 652
0.4 mi·45 sec·East Passaic Avenue
25
Turn right onto CR 622
0.5 mi·52 sec·West Passaic Avenue
26
Turn left onto CR 622
411 ft·7 sec·Darling Avenue
Use the left lane.
27
Continue on CR 622
0.4 mi·37 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Enter roundabout onto CR 602
261 ft·4 sec·Allwood Road
29
Continue on CR 602
1.0 mi·1 min·Allwood Road
30
Turn right onto NJ 161
0.5 mi·1 min·Clifton Avenue
31
Turn right onto Olga B Terrace
174 ft·9 sec·Olga B Terrace
32
Turn right onto Hutton Road
39 ft·6 sec·Hutton Road
33
Turn left onto Olga B Terrace
441 ft·25 sec·Olga B Terrace
34
Turn left onto Donna Drive
0.1 mi·33 sec·Donna Drive
35
Turn right onto Holly Street
516 ft·22 sec·Holly Street
36
Arrive at destination
Holly Street
Trip Plan
With a total travel time of just over 1.5 hours and a fuel cost estimated at $11, this trip offers considerable flexibility. You can easily depart at any time of day and still complete the 65.2 miles within daylight hours. Because the drive is so direct and primarily highway-based, you might not need frequent stops, but it's always wise to take a break during the 31.2-mile stretch on the New Jersey Turnpike if you feel fatigued. Keep an eye on toll costs, as this route heavily features toll roads, and ensure you have a comfortable way to pay them.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 32.6 miles from Chesterfield, NJ, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.2 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 14 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 32.6 miles or 46m 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 17m
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 Chesterfield, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Chesterfield, NJ
This is one driving day of about 65.2 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Chesterfield, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New Jersey Turnpike for about 31.2 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 29
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 61.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Chesterfield-Georgetown Road
Turn left onto Chesterfield-Georgetown Road
Navigation decision point
6
6.4 mi into trip|~15m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
8
38.2 mi into trip|~52m 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
38.7 mi into trip|~53m 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
61.6 mi into trip|~1h 26m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.81 one way
$21.62 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg23 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$11.84
$23.68
premium
$4.93
$12.64
$25.29
diesel
$5.61
$14.40
$28.79
Estimated Tolls: $5.70
New Jersey Turnpike
(31.2 mi)$4.37
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
$11
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
19.6
0
$6.85
$3.13
Efficient EV
16.3
0
$5.71
$2.61
EV Truck/SUV
26.1
0
$9.13
$4.17
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Chesterfield, NJ
Morning
in Chesterfield on Sunday
Local time
7:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clifton, NJ
Morning
in Clifton on Sunday
Local time
7:32 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
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 33m 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.
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 65.2
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 49.5
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?
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 82% of the route utilizing major roadways like the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. You'll encounter a substantial stretch of 31.2 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike, offering a consistent pace. The character of the drive is predominantly fast-paced, characteristic of major toll roads, which means you'll be navigating steady traffic flow and higher speed limits for the majority of the 65.2 miles. Expect minimal deviations from this highway experience for the entirety of the 1h 33m journey.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 31.2 mi on New Jersey Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 early in the drive near Chesterfield-Georgetown Road.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 65.2 miles you will encounter 29 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: near the start (Chesterfield-Georgetown Road): Navigation decision point; at 6.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 38.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Chesterfield, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp, Woodbridge, Montclair and Nutley.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 65.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 31.2 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.70 in tolls one way, starting with New Jersey Turnpike. 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Chesterfield-Georgetown Road): Navigation decision point; at 6.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 38.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
