How far is Clifton, NJ from Highlands, NJ?
The driving distance from Clifton, NJ to Highlands, NJ is about 50 miles (80.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 32.7 miles (52.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 14m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Clifton and Highlands.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton and Highlands.
-
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 left to continue on Garden State Parkway
6.6 mi · 8 min · Garden State Parkway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward NJ 35, NJ 36 South: Hazlet, Keyport
3026 ft · 1 min
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16
Keep slight left
50 m · 4 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on NJ 35: Hazlet
969 ft · 28 sec
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18
Merge slight left
3.7 mi · 6 min
-
19
Take the exit slight right
551 ft · 20 sec
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20
Continue straight
1.8 mi · 3 min
-
21
Turn left onto Leonardville Road
3.2 mi · 5 min · Leonardville Road
-
22
Take the ramp straight
106 m · 10 sec
-
23
Merge slight left
2.5 mi · 4 min
-
24
Take the exit right toward Highlands Business District, Seastreak Ferry
2118 ft · 1 min
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25
Turn slight left onto Waterwitch Avenue
149 m · 18 sec · Waterwitch Avenue
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26
Turn right onto Bay Avenue
788 ft · 24 sec · Bay Avenue
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27
Turn right onto Sea Drift Avenue
24 m · 3 sec · Sea Drift Avenue
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Sea Drift Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clifton and Highlands.
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
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
22.1 mi · 00h 31m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Clifton and Rain Showers Likely near Highlands.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Clifton to Highlands?
The road trip is about 50 miles (80.4 km) and usually takes 01h 14m 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?
Menlo Park is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25 miles from Clifton and 25 miles from Highlands.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 32.7 miles (52.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:02 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.19 one way or $14.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Clifton and Rain Showers Likely near Highlands.
Stop Ideas Near Menlo Park
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 Menlo Park.
Metropark station
New Brunswick station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Pennsylvania Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clifton and Highlands. Straight-line distance: 32.69 mi (52.61 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 Highlands
Borough of New Jersey
| Population | 4,693 |
| Coordinates | 40.4037200, -73.9915300 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| Country | United States |
End: Highlands (-73.99153, 40.40372)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 80 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $7.19 | $14.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $8.09 | $16.19 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $8.72 | $17.44 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $10.52 | $21.05 |
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 · May 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.