Traveling from Elwood to Clifton covers 106 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 22 minutes. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused drive within New Jersey, you can easily complete the entire trip in a single day. You should budget approximately $18 for fuel to make the trek. Navigating the route involves a blend of the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, and Trenton Road. Whether you are heading north for business or a visit, this efficient path through the Northeast corridor keeps your travel time manageable and predictable.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53 miles from Elwood, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
36.9 mi
42m
Garden State Parkway
22.2 mi
30m
Trenton Road
17.6 mi
23m
US 206
16.5 mi
20m
White Horse Pike
6.6 mi
10m
Allwood Road
1 mi
1m
Clifton Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
West Passaic Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 36.9 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elwood, NJ and Clifton, NJ.
1
Start on CR 623
104 ft·11 sec·Elwood Road
2
Turn left onto US 30
6.6 mi·10 min·White Horse Pike
3
Take the exit
201 ft·5 sec
Toward US 206 North
4
Merge onto US 206
18 mi·23 min·Trenton Road
5
Enter roundabout onto US 206
498 ft·6 sec·US 206
Toward US 206 North: Trenton, New York
6
Continue on US 206
7.6 mi·10 min·US 206
Toward US 206 North: Trenton, New YorkUse the straight lane.
7
Continue on US 206
8.8 mi·10 min·US 206
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 Toll, NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
11
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
37 mi·42 min·New Jersey Turnpike
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 11Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, WoodbridgeUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward GSP North: Garden State ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto GSP
22 mi·30 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 151Toward Montclair, NutleyUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn right onto CR 655
483 ft·15 sec·Watchung Avenue
17
At end of road, turn left onto CR 652
0.4 mi·45 sec·East Passaic Avenue
18
Turn right onto CR 622
0.5 mi·52 sec·West Passaic Avenue
19
Turn left onto CR 622
411 ft·7 sec·Darling Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on CR 622
0.4 mi·37 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Enter roundabout onto CR 602
261 ft·4 sec·Allwood Road
22
Continue on CR 602
1.0 mi·1 min·Allwood Road
23
Turn right onto NJ 161
0.5 mi·1 min·Clifton Avenue
24
Turn right onto Olga B Terrace
174 ft·9 sec·Olga B Terrace
25
Turn right onto Hutton Road
39 ft·6 sec·Hutton Road
26
Turn left onto Olga B Terrace
441 ft·25 sec·Olga B Terrace
27
Turn left onto Donna Drive
0.1 mi·33 sec·Donna Drive
28
Turn right onto Holly Street
516 ft·22 sec·Holly Street
29
Arrive at destination
Holly Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip with no required stops, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. Keep in mind that traffic patterns on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway can fluctuate significantly, so checking live conditions before you leave is a smart move. Because the entire 106-mile journey is designed to be completed in one go, you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. Focus your attention on the transition points between the major roads, as merging onto the Parkway from the Turnpike can be fast-paced. Planning your departure to avoid peak commuting hours will help ensure you stay closer to the 2-hour and 22-minute estimate.
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 53 miles from Elwood, NJ, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.9 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 53 miles or 1h 11m 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 53m
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 Elwood, 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 Elwood, NJ
This is one driving day of about 106 miles and 2h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Elwood, 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 36.9 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 24.2 and 102.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
24.2 mi into trip|~33m in|US 206
Enter roundabout onto US 206 toward US 206 North: Trenton, New York
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 206 North: Trenton, New York
6
41.4 mi into trip|~56m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
8
79 mi into trip|~1h 41m 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
79.5 mi into trip|~1h 42m 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
102.4 mi into trip|~2h 15m 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
$17.57 one way
$35.15 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$19.25
$38.49
premium
$4.93
$20.56
$41.11
diesel
$5.61
$23.40
$46.81
Estimated Tolls: $6.49
New Jersey Turnpike
(36.9 mi)$5.16
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
$18
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.8
0
$11.13
$5.09
Efficient EV
26.5
0
$9.27
$4.24
EV Truck/SUV
42.4
0
$14.84
$6.78
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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Elwood, NJ
Morning
in Elwood on Sunday
Local time
10:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clifton, NJ
Morning
in Clifton on Sunday
Local time
10:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Bristol, PA
53 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
23 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 22m 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...
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 91.3
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 trip dominated by major infrastructure, as 71% of your journey is spent on highways. The road feels like a consistent interstate grind, providing a fast-paced environment that connects the southern and northern parts of the state. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch along the New Jersey Turnpike, which spans 36.9 miles. While the transition between the Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, and local roads like Trenton Road keeps the drive active, you should prepare for the steady pace typical of high-traffic transit corridors.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 36.9 mi on New Jersey Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 around 24.2 miles in near US 206.
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 23 significant decision points across 106 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 24.2 miles (US 206): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79 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 Elwood, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward New York, Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York City, Gsp and Woodbridge.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 22m. Total distance: 106 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 36.9 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.49 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.
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 24.2 miles (US 206): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79 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.
