How far is Clifton, NJ from North Cape May, NJ?

The driving distance from Clifton, NJ to North Cape May, NJ is about 159.6 miles (256.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 16m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 136.3 miles (219.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
159.57 mi
03h 16m
Flight
136.3 mi
219.36 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Clifton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
136.3 mi
Kilometers
219.36 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
159.57 mi
Kilometers
256.8 km
Drive Time
03h 16m

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 03h 16m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in North Cape May
Sun, Apr 19, 10:07 AM EDT
Return by in Clifton
Sun, Apr 19, 1:24 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Clifton
2026-04-19T06:51
Arrive North Cape May
Sun, Apr 19, 10:07 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 16m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:17 AM to 11:17 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:26 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Clifton
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Forked River
NJ

Census designated place in Lacey Township, Ocean County, New Jersey, United States

From Clifton
79.8 mi
01h 38m
To North Cape May
79.8 mi
01h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
60°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 13 mph W
Destination
North Cape May Weather
NJ
Live fallback forecast
64°F
Sunday
Using Tabernacle as the closest live forecast in the Cape May County weather hub.

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Clifton and North Cape May.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clifton and North Cape May.

  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

    Continue on Garden State Parkway Southbound

    6.2 mi · 8 min · Garden State Parkway Southbound

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on Garden State Parkway

    1.2 km · 49 sec · Garden State Parkway

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on Garden State Parkway

    125.1 mi · 2 hr 25 min · Garden State Parkway

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Shore Road

    1 km · 1 min · Shore Road

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward US 9 South: Cape May Ferry

    84 m · 9 sec

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Sandman Boulevard

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Sandman Boulevard

  18. 18

    Continue on Lincoln Boulevard

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Lincoln Boulevard

  19. 19

    Continue on Lincoln Boulevard

    933 ft · 28 sec · Lincoln Boulevard

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Pacific Avenue

    2894 ft · 2 min · Pacific Avenue

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Pacific Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Clifton and North Cape May.

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
21 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Garden State Parkway
148 mi · 93%
Garden State Parkway Southbound
6.2 mi · 4%
Lincoln Boulevard
1.37 mi · 1%
Sandman Boulevard
1.19 mi · 1%
Shore Road
0.64 mi
Pacific Avenue
0.55 mi
Longest Stretch

Garden State Parkway

Keep slight right to continue on Garden State Parkway

125 mi · 02h 25m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 16m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.3 mi
136.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Forked River
01h 38m from Clifton
Leave By
10:26 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Clifton and Rain Showers Likely near North Cape May.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Clifton to North Cape May?

The road trip is about 159.6 miles (256.8 km) and usually takes 03h 16m in normal driving conditions.

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

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Forked River is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.8 miles from Clifton and 79.8 miles from North Cape May.

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

The direct path is about 136.3 miles (219.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:26 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.00 one way or $46.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Clifton and Rain Showers Likely near North Cape May.

Stop Ideas Near Forked River

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Forked River, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Forked River.

OTHER

Egg Harbor City, New Jersey

52 mi away
South Philadelphia Ave & Atlantic Ave
OTHER

Absecon

53 mi away
Shore Road and Ohio Ave
OTHER

Hammonton, New Jersey

57 mi away
Egg Harbor Rd & Line St.
OTHER

Atlantic City Rail Terminal

57 mi away
1 Atlantic City Expressway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Clifton and North Cape May. Straight-line distance: 136.3 mi (219.36 km).

Clifton

#1 Clifton

The most populous city in Passaic County, New Jersey.

Population85,025
Coordinates40.8584300, -74.1637600
Altitude57
CountryUnited States
North Cape May

#2 North Cape May

Census designated place

Population3,226
Coordinates38.9820600, -74.9579500
Altitude4
CountryUnited States
Start: Clifton (-74.16376, 40.85843)
End: North Cape May (-74.95795, 38.98206)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 257 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 59m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 16m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 59m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.63 gal
21.31 L · about $23.00
Round trip
$46.01
11.26 gal · 42.62 L
Estimated CO2
50 kg one way
Round trip: 100.1 kg / 221 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $23.00 $46.01
Mid-grade $4.60 $25.89 $51.78
Premium $4.95 $27.89 $55.78
Diesel $5.98 $33.67 $67.33

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Clifton and North Cape May. The current time is 06:51:05.

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.