How far is Clifton, NJ from Elizabeth, NJ?

The driving distance from Clifton, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ is about 22.4 miles (36 km), with a travel time of about 00h 31m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 13.7 miles (22 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 02m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
22.34 mi
00h 31m
Flight
13.66 mi
21.98 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Clifton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
13.66 mi
Kilometers
21.98 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
22.34 mi
Kilometers
35.95 km
Drive Time
00h 31m

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 31m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Elizabeth
Wed, Apr 22, 8:27 PM EDT
Return by in Clifton
Wed, Apr 22, 8:59 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Clifton
2026-04-22T19:56
Arrive Elizabeth
Wed, Apr 22, 8:27 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 31m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:31 AM to 7:31 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:28 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Clifton
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

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
Kearny
NJ

Town in New Jersey

From Clifton
8.5 mi
00h 15m
To Elizabeth
13.9 mi
00h 15m

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
64°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

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

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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 left onto Allwood Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · Allwood Road

  8. 8

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Allwood Circle

    20 m · 1 sec · Bloomfield Avenue

  9. 9

    Exit the rotary onto Bloomfield Avenue

    1142 ft · 28 sec · Bloomfield Avenue

  10. 10

    Take the ramp left

    661 ft · 18 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto State Route 3

    1.7 mi · 2 min · State Route 3

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward NJ 21 South: Newark

    2870 ft · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    9 mi · 14 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    1072 ft · 17 sec

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    3.1 mi · 4 min

  16. 16

    Turn right onto East Jersey Street

    1164 ft · 36 sec · East Jersey Street

  17. 17

    Turn right

    11 m · 3 sec

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
18 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
80.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
NJ 21 South
12.9 mi · 58%
State Route 3
1.67 mi · 7%
Allwood Road
0.97 mi · 4%
Clifton Avenue
0.53 mi · 2%
Bloomfield Avenue
0.35 mi · 2%
East Jersey Street
0.22 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

NJ 21 South

Merge slight left

9 mi · 00h 14m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 31m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.7 mi
13.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kearny
00h 15m from Clifton
Leave By
7:28 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 22.4 miles (36 km) and usually takes 00h 31m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Kearny is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8.5 miles from Clifton and 13.9 miles from Elizabeth.

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

The direct path is about 13.7 miles (22 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.7 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:28 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.23 one way or $6.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Kearny

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 Kearny and the surrounding midpoint area.
City Hall Parking Lot
Scenic stop 7 mi away

City Hall Parking Lot

Jersey City , NJ
280 Grove St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews Parking lot
#Artlook New York City Hall Wedding Photographer
Practical stop 9 mi away

#Artlook New York City Hall Wedding Photographer

New York , NY
141 Worth St, New York, NY 10013
Rating 5.0/5 13 reviews Photographer,Photography service,Photography studio,Wedding photographer
City Hall Personnel Office
Meeting point 2.8 mi away

City Hall Personnel Office

Newark , NJ
920 Broad St, Newark, NJ 07102
Rating 5.0/5 5 reviews City government office
Diamond City Hall Photography
Nearby stop 9 mi away

Diamond City Hall Photography

New York , NY
141 Worth St, New York, NY 10013
Rating 5.0/5 53 reviews Wedding photographer

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

4 mi away
1 Raymond Plaza West
RAIL

Newark Liberty International Airport

8 mi away
Newark Liberty International Airport
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

13 mi away
8th Ave 31st Street / 8th Ave 33rd Street
RAIL

Metropark station

27 mi away
100 Middlesex-Essex Turnpike

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Clifton and Elizabeth. Straight-line distance: 13.66 mi (21.98 km).

Clifton

#1 Clifton

The most populous city in Passaic County, New Jersey.

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

#2 Elizabeth

The second most populous city in Union County, New Jersey.

Population128,382
Coordinates40.6639900, -74.2107000
Altitude6
CountryUnited States
Start: Holly Street (-74.163585, 40.858575)
End: (-74.210651, 40.663974)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 36 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 33m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 22m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.79 gal
2.98 L · about $3.23
Round trip
$6.46
1.58 gal · 5.96 L
Estimated CO2
7 kg one way
Round trip: 14 kg / 31 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $3.23 $6.46
Mid-grade $4.60 $3.63 $7.27
Premium $4.95 $3.91 $7.83
Diesel $5.98 $4.72 $9.45

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 22, 2026

There is no time difference between Clifton and Elizabeth. The current time is 19:56:47.

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.