How far is Clifton, NJ from Metuchen, NJ?

The driving distance from Clifton, NJ to Metuchen, NJ is about 26.6 miles (42.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 24.2 miles (38.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 23m 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
26.59 mi
00h 41m
Flight
24.16 mi
38.88 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Clifton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
24.16 mi
Kilometers
38.88 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
26.59 mi
Kilometers
42.8 km
Drive Time
00h 41m

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 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Metuchen
Fri, Apr 17, 7:26 AM EDT
Return by in Clifton
Fri, Apr 17, 8:07 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Clifton
2026-04-17T06:44
Arrive Metuchen
Fri, Apr 17, 7:26 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:42 AM to 7:42 PM EDT

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

Leave by
7:06 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
Hillside
NJ

Township of New Jersey

From Clifton
13.3 mi
00h 20m
To Metuchen
13.3 mi
00h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Friday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph NW
Destination
82°F
Friday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    93 m · 4 sec · State Route 3

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward GSP South

    2000 ft · 49 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway

    22.1 mi · 31 min · Garden State Parkway

  12. 12

    Take the exit right toward NJ 27: Iselin, Metuchen

    1079 ft · 39 sec

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Lincoln Highway

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Lincoln Highway

  14. 14

    Continue on Middlesex Avenue

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Middlesex Avenue

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Middlesex Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
15 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
56.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Garden State Parkway
22.1 mi · 83%
Lincoln Highway
1.39 mi · 5%
Middlesex Avenue
1.21 mi · 5%
Clifton Avenue
0.53 mi · 2%
GSP South
0.38 mi · 1%
NJ 27
0.2 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

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 41m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+2.4 mi
24.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Hillside
00h 20m from Clifton
Leave By
7:06 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Clifton and Chance Rain Showers near Metuchen.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 26.6 miles (42.8 km) and usually takes 00h 41m 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?

Hillside is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.3 miles from Clifton and 13.3 miles from Metuchen.

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

The direct path is about 24.2 miles (38.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.4 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 7:06 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.84 one way or $7.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Hillside

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 Hillside and the surrounding midpoint area.
City Hall Parking Lot
Scenic stop 10.8 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 12.9 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 4.3 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 12.9 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 Hillside.

RAIL

Newark Liberty International Airport

3 mi away
Newark Liberty International Airport
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

7 mi away
1 Raymond Plaza West
RAIL

Metropark station

17 mi away
100 Middlesex-Essex Turnpike
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Clifton and Metuchen. Straight-line distance: 24.16 mi (38.88 km).

Clifton

#1 Clifton

The most populous city in Passaic County, New Jersey.

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

#2 Metuchen

Borough in New Jersey, United States

Population14,767
Coordinates40.5431600, -74.3632000
Altitude28
CountryUnited States
Start: Clifton (-74.16376, 40.85843)
End: Metuchen (-74.3632, 40.54316)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 43 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 53m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 39m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 26m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 22m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 19m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.94 gal
3.55 L · about $3.84
Round trip
$7.68
1.88 gal · 7.1 L
Estimated CO2
8.4 kg one way
Round trip: 16.7 kg / 37 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $3.84 $7.68
Mid-grade $4.60 $4.32 $8.65
Premium $4.95 $4.66 $9.31
Diesel $5.98 $5.62 $11.24

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Clifton and Metuchen. The current time is 06:44:30.

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.