Origin
Presidential Lakes Estates, NJ
Morning in Presidential Lakes Estates on Sunday
Local time
6:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Presidential Lakes Estates, NJ to Clifton, NJ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 2m
Distance
87.8 mi
141 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 54m
★
6 AM
2h 3m
8 AM
2h 20m
10 AM
2h 9m
12 PM
2h 7m
3 PM
2h 10m
5 PM
2h 19m
8 PM
1h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Presidential Lakes Estates, NJ
David Kanigan
Clifton, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 87.8-mile drive from Presidential Lakes Estates to Clifton, New Jersey, is designed for a single day, taking about 2 hours and 2 minutes to complete. You'll primarily be on the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, and US 206, with 79% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $15, making it an economical option. This route stays within the Northeast region and the state of New Jersey, offering a straightforward journey for those looking to travel efficiently. It's a practical choice if you're aiming to get from point A to point B without extensive detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.9 miles from Presidential Lakes Estates, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike | 36.9 mi | 42m |
| Garden State Parkway | 22.2 mi | 30m |
| US 206 | 8.8 mi | 10m |
| Magnolia Road | 6.8 mi | 12m |
| South Pemberton Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Vincentown-Columbus Road | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| NJ 70 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Allwood Road | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 36.9 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Presidential Lakes Estates, NJ and Clifton, NJ.
1
Start on Kentucky Trail
516 ft
·
28 sec
·
Kentucky Trail
2
Turn left onto Connecticut Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Connecticut Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto Washington Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
·
Washington Boulevard
4
Turn right onto NJ 70
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
NJ 70
5
Enter roundabout onto CR 644
175 ft
·
2 sec
·
Magnolia Road
Toward Pemberton, Fort Dix, Mount Holly
6
Continue on CR 644
6.8 mi
·
12 min
·
Magnolia Road
Toward Pemberton, Fort Dix, Mount Holly
7
Turn left onto CR 530
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Pemberton Bypass
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on CR 530
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Hampton Street
9
Continue on CR 530
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
South Pemberton Road
10
Turn right onto US 206
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Vincentown-Columbus Road
11
Continue on US 206
8.8 mi
·
10 min
·
US 206
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 Toll, NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
15
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
37 mi
·
42 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 11
Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward GSP North: Garden State Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto GSP
22 mi
·
30 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 151
Toward Montclair, Nutley
Use the slight right lane.
20
Turn right onto CR 655
483 ft
·
15 sec
·
Watchung Avenue
21
At end of road, turn left onto CR 652
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Passaic Avenue
22
Turn right onto CR 622
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
West Passaic Avenue
23
Turn left onto CR 622
411 ft
·
7 sec
·
Darling Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on CR 622
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Bloomfield Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Enter roundabout onto CR 602
261 ft
·
4 sec
·
Allwood Road
26
Continue on CR 602
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Allwood Road
27
Turn right onto NJ 161
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Clifton Avenue
28
Turn right onto Olga B Terrace
174 ft
·
9 sec
·
Olga B Terrace
29
Turn right onto Hutton Road
39 ft
·
6 sec
·
Hutton Road
30
Turn left onto Olga B Terrace
441 ft
·
25 sec
·
Olga B Terrace
31
Turn left onto Donna Drive
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
Donna Drive
32
Turn right onto Holly Street
516 ft
·
22 sec
·
Holly Street
33
Arrive at destination
Holly Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour duration, this trip is easily managed in one day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid potential traffic congestion, especially on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. Since there are no specific recommended stops, you can choose to break up the drive as needed, perhaps at one of the many service areas along the turnpike. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a potential exit is quite significant, and plan your refueling accordingly to stay within your $15 budget.
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 43.9 miles from Presidential Lakes Estates, NJ, or about 1h 2m 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 19 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.9 miles or 1h 2m 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 41m
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 Presidential Lakes Estates, 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 Presidential Lakes Estates, NJ
This is one driving day of about 87.8 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Presidential Lakes Estates, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
44 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 43.9 miles from Presidential Lakes Estates, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 235 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 84.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.3 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
CR 644 / Magnolia Road
Enter roundabout onto CR 644 / Magnolia Road toward Pemberton, Fort Dix, Mount Holly
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Pemberton, Fort Dix, Mount Holly
6
9.1 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
CR 530 / Pemberton Bypass
Turn left onto CR 530 / Pemberton Bypass
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
8
60.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m 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
61.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m 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
84.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m 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
$14.56 one way
$29.11 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $15.94 | $31.88 |
| premium | $4.93 | $17.03 | $34.06 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.39 | $38.77 |
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
$15
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.7 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 | $9.22 | $4.21 |
| Efficient EV | 22 | 0 | $7.68 | $3.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.1 | 0 | $12.29 | $5.62 |
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.
Destination
Clifton, NJ
Morning in Clifton on Sunday
Local time
6:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
45°F
West Windsor, 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
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 2m 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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
$10
near mile 81.8
Park Closure: Glenmont Mansion and Grounds Closed
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
near mile 87.8
View on nps.gov
Morristown National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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 72.7
View on nps.gov
Gateway National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
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 75.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience on this route, with 79% of your travel occurring on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 36.9 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike, so be prepared for extended periods of higher-speed driving. The road character is largely defined by its interstate and parkway segments, offering a consistent driving environment for the majority of the trip. While not a winding scenic byway, this route prioritizes directness and efficiency, allowing you to cover ground steadily.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 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 2.3 miles in near CR 644 / Magnolia Road.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 87.8 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 2.3 miles (CR 644 / Magnolia Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.1 miles (CR 530 / Pemberton Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 60.9 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Presidential Lakes Estates, NJ and Clifton, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York City, Gsp and Woodbridge.
Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
22.6 mi in
|
~34m
Njtp North: New York City
23.3 mi in
|
~36m
Gsp
60.9 mi in
|
~1h 21m
Woodbridge
60.9 mi in
|
~1h 21m
About the Cities
Arriving in Clifton, NJ
Full guide →Clifton is a city in Passaic County, New Jersey.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 2m. Total distance: 87.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). 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 2.3 miles (CR 644 / Magnolia Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.1 miles (CR 530 / Pemberton Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 60.9 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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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