How far is Clifton, NJ from Cape May, NJ?
The driving distance from Clifton, NJ to Cape May, NJ is about 157.9 miles (254.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 138.6 miles (223 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 03h 15m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Census designated place in Lacey Township, Ocean County, New Jersey, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Clifton and Cape May.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton and Cape May.
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1
Start on Holly Street
157 m · 27 sec · Holly Street
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2
Turn left onto Donna Drive
733 ft · 35 sec · Donna Drive
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Olga B Terrace
135 m · 21 sec · Olga B Terrace
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4
Turn right onto Hutton Road
12 m · 7 sec · Hutton Road
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5
Turn left onto Olga B Terrace
53 m · 13 sec · Olga B Terrace
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6
Turn left onto Clifton Avenue
2821 ft · 1 min · Clifton Avenue
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7
At the end of the road, turn right onto Allwood Road
1069 ft · 31 sec · Allwood Road
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8
Take the ramp left toward NJ 3 West, GSP South
654 ft · 18 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto State Route 3
93 m · 4 sec · State Route 3
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10
Take the exit slight right toward GSP South
2000 ft · 49 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
22.1 mi · 31 min · Garden State Parkway
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12
Continue on Garden State Parkway Southbound
6.2 mi · 8 min · Garden State Parkway Southbound
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Garden State Parkway
1.2 km · 49 sec · Garden State Parkway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Garden State Parkway
125.2 mi · 2 hr 25 min · Garden State Parkway
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15
Continue on Lafayette Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Lafayette Street
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16
Turn left onto Sidney Avenue
84 m · 8 sec · Sidney Avenue
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17
At the end of the road, turn right onto Washington Street
89 m · 13 sec · Washington Street
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18
Turn left onto East Street
92 m · 15 sec · East Street
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19
Turn right onto Massachusetts Avenue
99 m · 16 sec · Massachusetts Avenue
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20
Turn left onto Reading Avenue
1.1 km · 3 min · Reading Avenue
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21
Turn left onto New York Avenue
32 m · 6 sec · New York Avenue
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22
Turn right
25 m · 6 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clifton and Cape May.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Garden State Parkway
Keep slight right to continue on Garden State Parkway
125 mi · 02h 25m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Clifton and Sunny near Cape May.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Clifton to Cape May?
The road trip is about 157.9 miles (254.1 km) and usually takes 03h 15m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Forked River is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79 miles from Clifton and 78.9 miles from Cape May.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 138.6 miles (223 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:30 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.76 one way or $45.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Clifton and Sunny near Cape May.
Stop Ideas Near Forked River
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Forked River.
Egg Harbor City, New Jersey
Absecon
Hammonton, New Jersey
Atlantic City Rail Terminal
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clifton and Cape May. Straight-line distance: 138.59 mi (223.04 km).
#1 Clifton
The most populous city in Passaic County, New Jersey.
| Population | 85,025 |
| Coordinates | 40.8584300, -74.1637600 |
| Altitude | 57 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cape May
City in New Jersey
| Population | 3,404 |
| Coordinates | 38.9351100, -74.9060100 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cape May (-74.90601, 38.93511)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 254 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $22.76 | $45.52 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $25.62 | $51.23 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $27.59 | $55.19 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $33.31 | $66.62 |
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 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.