Greentree, NJ to Clifton, NJ is 87.5 miles and takes about 1h 54m via New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Northeast region, specifically traversing New Jersey from one point to another. It's a practical, highway-focused journey designed for efficiency rather than scenic detours. Given the relatively short duration and straightforward path, it's ideal for a single-day trip, making it a convenient option for moving between these two New Jersey locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.8 miles from Greentree, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
55.9 mi
1h 4m
Garden State Parkway
22.2 mi
30m
NJ 73
1.7 mi
2m
Allwood Road
1 mi
1m
Marlton Pike
0.9 mi
1m
North Cropwell Road
0.6 mi
1m
Clifton Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
West Passaic Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 55.9 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Greentree, NJ and Clifton, NJ.
1
Start on this road
0.1 mi·54 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto NJ 70
0.9 mi·1 min·Marlton Pike
3
Turn left onto North Cropwell Road
0.6 mi·1 min·North Cropwell Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto Holtec Drive
0.3 mi·50 sec·Holtec Drive
5
Turn right onto Greentree Road
0.1 mi·11 sec·Greentree Road
Use the right lane.
6
Turn left onto NJ 73
1.6 mi·2 min·NJ 73
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on NJ 73
198 ft·3 sec·NJ 73
Use the right lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward NJTPUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJTP North: New YorkUse the straight / right lanes.
10
Merge onto NJTP
15 mi·16 min·New Jersey Turnpike
11
Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP
41 mi·47 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
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
For this 1h 54m drive, consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the worst of rush hour traffic, especially on the New Jersey Turnpike. Since it's a single-day trip, you can be flexible with your departure time. With a fuel cost estimated at $15, filling up before you depart is a good idea, as there are no specific stops noted for this route. The longest stretch without a break is over 55 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike, so plan for comfort during that segment.
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 43.8 miles from Greentree, NJ, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.9 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 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.8 miles or 54m 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 33m
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 Greentree, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Greentree, NJ
This is one driving day of about 87.5 miles and 1h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Greentree, 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 55.9 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 3.8 and 83.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3.8 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the exit toward NJTP
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward NJTP
7
4.1 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJTP North: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward NJTP North: New York
8
60.5 mi into trip|~1h 13m 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
61 mi into trip|~1h 14m 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
83.9 mi into trip|~1h 46m 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
$14.51 one way
$29.01 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$15.89
$31.78
premium
$4.93
$16.97
$33.94
diesel
$5.61
$19.32
$38.64
Estimated Tolls: $9.16
New Jersey Turnpike
(55.9 mi)$7.83
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
$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: 30.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.3
0
$9.19
$4.20
Efficient EV
21.9
0
$7.66
$3.50
EV Truck/SUV
35
0
$12.25
$5.60
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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Greentree, NJ
Late night
in Greentree on Sunday
Local time
5:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clifton, NJ
Late night
in Clifton on Sunday
Local time
5:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 3 to 10 mph1% 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
16 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
1h 54m 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 87.5
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 72.4
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...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 75.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 91% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the New Jersey Turnpike, including a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 55.9 miles. The Garden State Parkway and NJ 73 also play roles, ensuring a consistent pace. Expect a driving experience characterized by consistent speeds and the general flow of highway traffic, with minimal engagement with local or slower-paced roads.
91% 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: 55.9 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 3.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 87.5 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 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.5 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 Greentree, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp and Woodbridge.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 54m. Total distance: 87.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.9 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.16 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: at 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.5 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.
