Clifton, NJ to Mantua, NJ is 104.4 miles and takes about 2h 15m via New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within New Jersey, taking you from the Northeast region down towards the southern part of the state. Expect a mostly highway experience, making it a straightforward and efficient trip if you're looking to get from point A to point B quickly. With a duration under three hours and a minimal fuel cost, this is a very manageable same-day drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.2 miles from Clifton, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
60.9 mi
1h 13m
New Jersey Turnpike
25.3 mi
29m
State Route 3
4.4 mi
4m
Mantua Pike
2.7 mi
4m
Broadway
1.7 mi
2m
West Kings Highway
1.6 mi
2m
Black Horse Pike
1.4 mi
2m
North Broad Street
1.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
— 60.9 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton, NJ and Mantua, NJ.
1
Start on Holly Street
516 ft·26 sec·Holly Street
2
Turn left onto Donna Drive
0.1 mi·34 sec·Donna Drive
3
At end of road, turn right onto Olga B Terrace
441 ft·21 sec·Olga B Terrace
4
Turn right onto Hutton Road
39 ft·7 sec·Hutton Road
5
Turn left onto Olga B Terrace
174 ft·13 sec·Olga B Terrace
6
Turn left onto NJ 161
0.5 mi·1 min·Clifton Avenue
7
At end of road, turn left onto CR 602
1.0 mi·1 min·Allwood Road
Use the left lane.
8
Enter roundabout onto CR 622
65 ft·1 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
9
Continue on CR 622
0.2 mi·27 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
10
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
Use the left lane.
11
Merge onto NJ 3
4.4 mi·4 min·State Route 3
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward East Rutherford, American Dream, Stadium, Racetrack, Training FacilityUse the slight right lane.
13
Continue on Sheraton Plaza Drive
0.2 mi·22 sec·Sheraton Plaza Drive
14
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 Toll, NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: NewarkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
6.3 mi·8 min·New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; NJTP
55 mi·1 hr 4 min·New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP
25 mi·29 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Toward NJTP South: Camden, Wilmington
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Exit 3Toward NJ 168: Camden, Atlantic City ExpresswayUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward NJ 168 North: Camden, PhiladelphiaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Turn straight onto NJ 168
1.4 mi·2 min·Black Horse Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Turn left onto CR 551 Spur
1.6 mi·2 min·West Kings Highway
Use the left lane.
23
At end of road, turn left onto US 130; CR 551 Spur
0.3 mi·30 sec·Crescent Boulevard
Use the left lane.
24
Enter roundabout onto NJ 47; CR 551
390 ft·8 sec·South Hannevig Avenue
25
Continue on NJ 47; CR 551
501 ft·10 sec·South Hannevig Avenue
26
Continue on NJ 47; CR 551
0.2 mi·25 sec·Crown Point Road
27
Keep slight right at fork onto CR 551
1.0 mi·1 min·Broadway
28
Continue on CR 551
0.6 mi·50 sec·Broadway
29
Keep slight right at fork onto CR 551
0.2 mi·18 sec·Broadway
30
Continue on Washington Avenue
0.1 mi·16 sec·Washington Avenue
31
Turn right onto Edith Avenue
236 ft·9 sec·Edith Avenue
32
Turn left onto NJ 45; CR 551
1.3 mi·3 min·North Broad Street
33
Continue on NJ 45
2.7 mi·4 min·Mantua Pike
34
Turn slight right
281 ft·12 sec
35
Turn left
243 ft·17 sec
36
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 15 minutes, this trip is best suited for a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential rush hour congestion, especially around the northern New Jersey Turnpike. You can complete this drive without needing to stop for fuel based on the $17 estimate, but it's always wise to check your tank before leaving Clifton. Since it's not a long drive, you have the flexibility to make a brief stop if needed, perhaps for a quick break about halfway through the 104.4-mile distance.
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 52.2 miles from Clifton, NJ, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.9 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 23 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.2 miles or 1h 6m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mantua, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clifton, 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 Clifton, NJ
This is one driving day of about 104.4 miles and 2h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Clifton, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur for about 60.9 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 94.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in|CR 602 / Allwood Road
At end of road, turn left onto CR 602 / Allwood Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
6.6 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward East Rutherford, American Dream, Stadium, Racetrack, Training Facility
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward East Rutherford, American Dream, Stadium...
8
7.5 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Newark
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Newark
8
94 mi into trip|~1h 55m in
Take the exit toward NJ 168: Camden, Atlantic City Expressway
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 3
Toward NJ 168: Camden, Atlantic City Expressway
8
94.4 mi into trip|~1h 56m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 168 North: Camden, Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 168 North: Camden, Philadelphia
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.60 one way
$35.20 round trip
$4.28/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$19.98
$39.95
premium
$5.17
$21.25
$42.51
diesel
$6.31
$25.95
$51.90
Estimated Tolls: $12.07
New Jersey Turnpike
(86.2 mi)$12.07
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
$18
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.5 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.3
0
$10.96
$5.01
Efficient EV
26.1
0
$9.14
$4.18
EV Truck/SUV
41.8
0
$14.62
$6.68
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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 Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Clifton, NJ
Morning
in Clifton on Saturday
Local time
10:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Rain Showers
S 5 to 10 mph96% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Mantua, NJ
Morning
in Mantua on Saturday
Local time
10:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SW 10 to 15 mph57% chanceLive forecast
47°F
Bristol, PA
52 mi in
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
5 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 15m 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.
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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
Caution: Overlook Park Parking Lot - Vehicles Must Be Parked in a Designated Spot
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...
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...
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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 21.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 87% of the route on major roads. You'll encounter a long stretch of 60.9 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur, which is the longest continuous section without a major road change. After this, you'll transition to surface roads for the remaining portion of your trip, likely noticing more frequent exits and local traffic as you approach Mantua.
87% 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: 60.9 mi on New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur and New Jersey Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near CR 602 / Allwood Road.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 104.4 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 0.9 miles (CR 602 / Allwood Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
178 ft13 ft
Total Climb
242 ft
Total Descent
391 ft
Highest Point
178 ft
Elevation Range
165 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clifton, NJ and Mantua, NJ, road signs point toward Rutherford, American Dream, Stadium, Racetrack, Training Facility and Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike - among others.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 15m. Total distance: 104.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 60.9 miles on New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $12.07 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 Mantua, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (CR 602 / Allwood Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area (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 Mantua, NJ before heading back.
