Clifton, NJ to Palmyra, NJ is 88.1 miles and takes about 1h 56m via New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur and State Route 3, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Jersey, moving from the Northeast region to its southern part. The route is mostly highway, making it a straightforward drive for a single day. You'll find it's a practical option if you need to get between these two points efficiently, without significant detours or overnight stays.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.1 miles from Clifton, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
60.9 mi
1h 13m
Burlington Pike
4.5 mi
7m
State Route 3
4.4 mi
4m
I 95
3.4 mi
3m
Broad Street
2.6 mi
4m
Burlington Avenue
2 mi
3m
Warren Street East
1.9 mi
2m
Saint Mihiel Drive
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
— 60.9 mi, about 1h 13m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,398 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,787
Quietest
2 AM
~53 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
45.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 54 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton, NJ and Palmyra, 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 right at fork onto I 95
3.4 mi·3 min·I 95
Exit 6Toward I 95 South: Pennsylvania Turnpike, PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward US 130: Florence, BurlingtonUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 130 South: Burlington
21
Merge onto US 130
0.1 mi·13 sec·Burlington-Bordentown Road
22
Continue on US 130
4.4 mi·7 min·Burlington Pike
23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 130; CR 543
0.1 mi·12 sec·Burlington Pike
24
Continue on US 130; CR 543
0.4 mi·36 sec·Washington Avenue
25
Turn slight right onto CR 543
1.3 mi·1 min·Beverly Road
26
Continue on CR 543
1.9 mi·2 min·Warren Street East
27
Continue on CR 543
2.0 mi·3 min·Burlington Avenue
28
Continue on CR 543
0.4 mi·33 sec·Pavilion Avenue
29
Turn right
146 ft·5 sec
30
Turn straight onto CR 543
0.2 mi·17 sec·Lafayette Street
31
Continue on CR 543
1.3 mi·2 min·Saint Mihiel Drive
32
Continue on CR 543
2.6 mi·4 min·Broad Street
33
Turn right onto CR 607
0.3 mi·46 sec·Cinnaminson Avenue
Use the right lane.
34
Turn left onto Temple Boulevard
0.2 mi·26 sec·Temple Boulevard
35
Turn slight right onto Firth Lane
78 ft·9 sec·Firth Lane
36
Turn sharp right onto West 2nd Street
162 ft·7 sec·West 2nd Street
37
Arrive at destination
West 2nd Street
Trip Plan
Given this is a drive of under two hours, it's best suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility. To make the most of your time, consider departing outside of peak commuting hours to avoid heavier traffic, especially near urban areas. The primary highway portion, the New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur, is where you'll cover the most ground efficiently. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $15 estimated cost suggests a relatively efficient trip, but it's always wise to top off before heading out, especially before longer highway stretches.
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 44.1 miles from Clifton, NJ, or about 57m 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 19 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.1 miles or 57m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palmyra, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Clifton, NJ
This is one driving day of about 88.1 miles and 1h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 72.2 — 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
9
68.7 mi into trip|~1h 26m in|I 95
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95 toward I 95 South: Pennsylvania Turnpike, Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 6
Toward I 95 South: Pennsylvania Turnpike, Phila...
7
72.2 mi into trip|~1h 30m in
Take the exit toward US 130: Florence, Burlington
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 US 130: Florence, Burlington
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.39 one way
$30.77 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$16.85
$33.69
premium
$5.20
$18.02
$36.04
diesel
$6.28
$21.77
$43.54
Estimated Tolls: $8.53
New Jersey Turnpike
(60.9 mi)$8.53
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
$15
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.4
0
$9.25
$4.23
Efficient EV
22
0
$7.71
$3.52
EV Truck/SUV
35.2
0
$12.33
$5.64
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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 18, 2026
Origin
Clifton, NJ
Late night
in Clifton on Saturday
Local time
1:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Sunny
N 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Palmyra, NJ
Late night
in Palmyra on Saturday
Local time
1:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Sunny
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
66°F
Lawrence, NJ
44 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
1 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 56m 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...
15 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 18.2
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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 21.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 78% of this 88.1-mile drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 60.9 miles along the New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur. After this primarily highway segment, you'll transition to surface roads like Burlington Pike and State Route 3. Expect a noticeable change in pace as you move from the high-speed highway to more local traffic and potentially more frequent intersections.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 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 Burlington Pike. 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
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 88.1 miles you will encounter 23 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: 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 ft0 ft
Total Climb
147 ft
Total Descent
316 ft
Highest Point
178 ft
Elevation Range
178 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 Palmyra, 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 1h 56m. Total distance: 88.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). 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 $8.53 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 Palmyra, 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: 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 Palmyra, NJ before heading back.
