How far is Clifton, NJ from Califon, NJ?

The driving distance from Clifton, NJ to Califon, NJ is about 45.8 miles (73.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 06m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 36.4 miles (58.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
45.83 mi
01h 06m
Flight
36.44 mi
58.64 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Clifton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
36.44 mi
Kilometers
58.64 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
45.83 mi
Kilometers
73.75 km
Drive Time
01h 06m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 06m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Califon
Thu, Apr 23, 1:43 AM EDT
Return by in Clifton
Thu, Apr 23, 2:50 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Clifton
2026-04-23T00:36
Arrive Califon
Thu, Apr 23, 1:43 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 06m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:07 AM to 11:07 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:16 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Clifton
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Morristown
NJ

Town in Morris County, New Jersey, USA

From Clifton
22.9 mi
00h 33m
To Califon
22.9 mi
00h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 9 mph NW
Destination
72°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Clifton and Califon.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clifton and Califon.

  1. 1

    Start on Holly Street

    157 m · 27 sec · Holly Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Donna Drive

    733 ft · 35 sec · Donna Drive

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Olga B Terrace

    135 m · 21 sec · Olga B Terrace

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Hutton Road

    12 m · 7 sec · Hutton Road

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Olga B Terrace

    53 m · 13 sec · Olga B Terrace

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Clifton Avenue

    2821 ft · 1 min · Clifton Avenue

  7. 7

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Allwood Road

    1069 ft · 31 sec · Allwood Road

  8. 8

    Take the ramp left toward NJ 3 West, GSP South

    654 ft · 18 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto State Route 3

    1.3 mi · 1 min · State Route 3

  10. 10

    Merge slight right

    10.8 mi · 12 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight left toward I 80 West: Dover, Del Water Gap

    1366 ft · 33 sec

  12. 12

    Continue on Interstate 80 West

    2.1 mi · 3 min · Interstate 80 West

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on I 287 South: Morristown

    1.9 mi · 3 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight right

    3.8 mi · 5 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward CR 510: Lafayette Avenue, Ridgedale Avenue

    855 ft · 21 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on CR 510: Morris Avenue, Lafayette Avenue

    889 ft · 22 sec

  17. 17

    Turn straight onto Lafayette Avenue

    1821 ft · 32 sec · Lafayette Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Morris Street

    673 ft · 19 sec · Morris Street

  19. 19

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Morris Street

    56 m · 3 sec · Morris Street

  20. 20

    Exit the roundabout onto Morris Street

    535 ft · 11 sec · Morris Street

  21. 21

    Turn slight right onto East Park Place

    69 m · 4 sec · East Park Place

  22. 22

    Keep slight left to continue on East Park Place

    148 m · 11 sec · East Park Place

  23. 23

    Continue on North Park Place

    36 m · 6 sec · North Park Place

  24. 24

    Turn right onto Washington Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · Washington Street

  25. 25

    Continue on Mendham Avenue (Old Rt. 24)

    1737 ft · 29 sec · Mendham Avenue (Old Rt. 24)

  26. 26

    Continue on Washington-Mendham Road E. (Old Rt. 24)

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Washington-Mendham Road E. (Old Rt. 24)

  27. 27

    Continue on Mendham Road East

    3.2 mi · 5 min · Mendham Road East

  28. 28

    Continue on Mendham Road (Old Rt. 24)

    2.3 mi · 3 min · Mendham Road (Old Rt. 24)

  29. 29

    Continue on Washington Turnpike (Old Rt. 24)

    1.2 km · 1 min · Washington Turnpike (Old Rt. 24)

  30. 30

    Continue on Main Street

    2.7 mi · 4 min · Main Street

  31. 31

    Continue on Main Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · Main Street

  32. 32

    Continue on West Main Street

    3111 ft · 55 sec · West Main Street

  33. 33

    Continue on Washington Turnpike

    1.2 km · 1 min · Washington Turnpike

  34. 34

    Continue on Old Route 24

    1 km · 56 sec · Old Route 24

  35. 35

    Continue on East Mill Road

    6.4 mi · 10 min · East Mill Road

  36. 36

    Continue on Califon-Chester Road

    1093 ft · 19 sec · Califon-Chester Road

  37. 37

    Continue on High Bridge-Califon Road

    1 km · 57 sec · High Bridge-Califon Road

  38. 38

    Continue on Califon-Chester Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · Califon-Chester Road

  39. 39

    Continue on High Bridge-Califon Road

    675 ft · 18 sec · High Bridge-Califon Road

  40. 40

    Turn left onto Main Street

    3063 ft · 1 min · Main Street

  41. 41

    Turn straight onto Main Street

    154 m · 22 sec · Main Street

  42. 42

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Clifton and Califon.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
42 steps
16 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
91.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Route 3
12.1 mi · 26%
East Mill Road
6.44 mi · 14%
I 287 South
5.68 mi · 12%
Main Street
4.35 mi · 9%
Mendham Road East
3.23 mi · 7%
Mendham Road (Old Rt. 24)
2.32 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

State Route 3

Merge slight right

10.8 mi · 00h 12m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 06m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.4 mi
36.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Morristown
00h 33m from Clifton
Leave By
4:16 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Clifton and Mostly Sunny near Califon.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Clifton to Califon?

The road trip is about 45.8 miles (73.7 km) and usually takes 01h 06m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Morristown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.9 miles from Clifton and 22.9 miles from Califon.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 36.4 miles (58.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.4 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:16 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.62 one way or $13.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Clifton and Mostly Sunny near Califon.

Stop Ideas Near Morristown

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Morristown and the surrounding midpoint area.
West Orange Town Hall
Scenic stop 13.2 mi away

West Orange Town Hall

West Orange , NJ
66 Main St, West Orange, NJ 07052
Rating 4.1/5 16 reviews Park
Orange Township City Hall
Meeting point 13.7 mi away

Orange Township City Hall

Morristown
29 N Day St, City of Orange, NJ 07050
Rating 3.6/5 19 reviews City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Morristown.

Transit stop coverage is not ready for this midpoint yet.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Clifton and Califon. Straight-line distance: 36.44 mi (58.64 km).

Clifton

#1 Clifton

The most populous city in Passaic County, New Jersey.

Population85,025
Coordinates40.8584300, -74.1637600
Altitude57
CountryUnited States
Califon

#2 Califon

Borough in New Jersey, United States

Population1,033
Coordinates40.7195400, -74.8357200
Altitude146
CountryUnited States
Start: Clifton (-74.16376, 40.85843)
End: Califon (-74.83572, 40.71954)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 74 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 31m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 08m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.62 gal
6.12 L · about $6.62
Round trip
$13.24
3.24 gal · 12.24 L
Estimated CO2
14.4 kg one way
Round trip: 28.8 kg / 63 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $6.62 $13.24
Mid-grade $4.60 $7.45 $14.90
Premium $4.95 $8.03 $16.05
Diesel $5.98 $9.69 $19.38

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in New Jersey · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Clifton and Califon. The current time is 00:36:29.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.