How far is Clifton, NJ from Chester, NJ?

The driving distance from Clifton, NJ to Chester, NJ is about 35 miles (56.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 28.3 miles (45.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 40m 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
34.98 mi
00h 50m
Flight
28.34 mi
45.61 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
28.34 mi
Kilometers
45.61 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
34.98 mi
Kilometers
56.3 km
Drive Time
00h 50m

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 00h 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chester
Wed, Apr 22, 11:34 PM EDT
Return by in Clifton
Thu, Apr 23, 12:24 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Clifton
2026-04-22T22:44
Arrive Chester
Wed, Apr 22, 11:34 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:50 AM to 10:50 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:50 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
Parsippany
NJ

Township in Morris County, New Jersey, United States

From Clifton
17.5 mi
00h 25m
To Chester
17.5 mi
00h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
60°F
Wednesday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph SE
Destination
63°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    1.4 km · 2 min · Main Street

  32. 32

    Turn left onto Perry Street

    20 m · 3 sec · Perry Street

  33. 33

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Perry Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
33 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
94.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Route 3
12.1 mi · 34%
I 287 South
5.68 mi · 16%
Main Street
3.6 mi · 10%
Mendham Road East
3.23 mi · 9%
Mendham Road (Old Rt. 24)
2.32 mi · 7%
Interstate 80 West
2.13 mi · 6%
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
00h 50m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.7 mi
28.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Parsippany
00h 25m from Clifton
Leave By
4:50 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Clifton and Chance Rain Showers near Chester.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 35 miles (56.3 km) and usually takes 00h 50m 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?

Parsippany is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.5 miles from Clifton and 17.5 miles from Chester.

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

The direct path is about 28.3 miles (45.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.7 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 4:50 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.03 one way or $10.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Clifton and Chance Rain Showers near Chester.

Stop Ideas Near Parsippany

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 Parsippany and the surrounding midpoint area.
West Orange Town Hall
Scenic stop 11 mi away

West Orange Town Hall

West Orange , NJ
66 Main St, West Orange, NJ 07052
Rating 4.1/5 16 reviews Park
Montclair Municipal Building
Meeting point 11.3 mi away

Montclair Municipal Building

Montclair , NJ
205 Claremont Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042
Rating 3.9/5 12 reviews City Hall,City government office
Clifton Recycle in City Hall
Nearby stop 14 mi away

Clifton Recycle in City Hall

Clifton , NJ
Recycle Drive, Clifton, NJ 07013
Rating 4.6/5 44 reviews Recycling drop-off location

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Newark Liberty International Airport

26 mi away
Newark Liberty International Airport
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

26 mi away
1 Raymond Plaza West
RAIL

Metropark station

33 mi away
100 Middlesex-Essex Turnpike
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

38 mi away
8th Ave 31st Street / 8th Ave 33rd Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Clifton and Chester. Straight-line distance: 28.34 mi (45.61 km).

Clifton

#1 Clifton

The most populous city in Passaic County, New Jersey.

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

#2 Chester

Borough in Morris County, New Jersey

Population1,620
Coordinates40.7842700, -74.6968300
Altitude258
CountryUnited States
Start: Clifton (-74.16376, 40.85843)
End: Chester (-74.69683, 40.78427)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 56 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 09m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 41m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 34m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 29m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.23 gal
4.67 L · about $5.03
Round trip
$10.05
2.46 gal · 9.34 L
Estimated CO2
10.9 kg one way
Round trip: 21.9 kg / 48 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $5.03 $10.05
Mid-grade $4.60 $5.66 $11.31
Premium $4.95 $6.09 $12.19
Diesel $5.98 $7.36 $14.71

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 Chester. The current time is 22:44:39.

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.