How far is Clifton, NJ from Hillsborough, NJ?
The driving distance from Clifton, NJ to Hillsborough, NJ is about 50.1 miles (80.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 35.8 miles (57.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 11m 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 05m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Town in Morris County, New Jersey, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Clifton and Hillsborough.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton and Hillsborough.
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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
1.3 mi · 1 min · State Route 3
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10
Merge slight right
10.8 mi · 12 min
-
11
Take the exit slight left toward I 80 West: Dover, Del Water Gap
1366 ft · 33 sec
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12
Continue on Interstate 80 West
2.1 mi · 3 min · Interstate 80 West
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 287 South: Morristown
1.9 mi · 3 min
-
14
Merge slight right
19.9 mi · 24 min
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15
Keep slight left
2.6 mi · 3 min
-
16
Take the exit slight left toward US 202 South, US 206 South: Somerville, Flemington
1 km · 43 sec
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17
Merge slight left
1 mi · 2 min
-
18
Take the exit straight toward US 206 South, NJ 28: Somerville, Princeton
1277 ft · 37 sec
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Somerville Circle
525 ft · 7 sec
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20
Exit the rotary
7.2 mi · 11 min
-
21
Turn left onto Hillsborough Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Hillsborough Road
-
22
Turn right onto Willow Road
17 m · 1 sec · Willow Road
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Willow Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clifton and Hillsborough.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 287 South
Merge slight right
19.9 mi · 00h 24m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Clifton and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Hillsborough.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Clifton to Hillsborough?
The road trip is about 50.1 miles (80.7 km) and usually takes 01h 05m 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 25 miles from Clifton and 25.1 miles from Hillsborough.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 35.8 miles (57.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.3 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 4:18 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.23 one way or $14.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Clifton and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Hillsborough.
Stop Ideas Near Morristown
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
West Orange Town Hall
Orange Township City Hall
NETCONG MUNICIPAL BUILDING
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Morristown.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clifton and Hillsborough. Straight-line distance: 35.8 mi (57.61 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 Hillsborough
Township in Somerset county, New Jersey
| Population | 40,105 |
| Coordinates | 40.4776000, -74.6268200 |
| Altitude | 26 |
| Country | United States |
End: Hillsborough (-74.62682, 40.4776)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 81 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 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 | $7.23 | $14.46 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $8.14 | $16.28 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $8.77 | $17.54 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $10.58 | $21.17 |
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 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.