How far is Clifton, NJ from Plainsboro Center, NJ?
The driving distance from Clifton, NJ to Plainsboro Center, NJ is about 48.1 miles (77.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 42.8 miles (68.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 27m 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 13m.
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.
Unincorporated community in New Jersey, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Clifton and Plainsboro Center.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton and Plainsboro Center.
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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
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
1.3 mi · 2 min · Garden State Parkway Southbound
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 1: Newark, Trenton
1110 ft · 27 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on US 1 South: Trenton
1453 ft · 35 sec
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15
Merge slight left
636 ft · 13 sec
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16
Continue straight
2.1 mi · 3 min
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17
Continue straight
7.4 mi · 11 min
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18
Continue straight
634 ft · 10 sec
-
19
Keep slight left
84 m · 4 sec
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20
Keep slight left
118 m · 6 sec
-
21
Keep slight left
3.6 mi · 5 min
-
22
Continue straight
6.2 mi · 9 min
-
23
Take the exit slight right toward Monmouth Junction, Kingston
86 m · 8 sec
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24
Turn left
30 m · 7 sec
-
25
Turn left onto Ridge Road
1606 ft · 53 sec · Ridge Road
-
26
Turn right onto Schalks Crossing Road
2.3 mi · 4 min · Schalks Crossing Road
-
27
Continue on Parkway Avenue
1141 ft · 59 sec · Parkway Avenue
-
28
Turn sharp left onto Edgemere Avenue
97 m · 11 sec · Edgemere Avenue
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Edgemere Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clifton and Plainsboro Center.
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Clifton and Chance Rain Showers near Plainsboro Center.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Clifton to Plainsboro Center?
The road trip is about 48.1 miles (77.4 km) and usually takes 01h 13m 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?
Iselin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24 miles from Clifton and 24 miles from Plainsboro Center.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 42.8 miles (68.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.3 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 $6.95 one way or $13.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Clifton and Chance Rain Showers near Plainsboro Center.
Stop Ideas Near Iselin
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 Iselin.
Metropark station
New Brunswick station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Pennsylvania Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clifton and Plainsboro Center. Straight-line distance: 42.84 mi (68.94 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 Plainsboro Center
Town
| Population | 2,712 |
| Coordinates | 40.3317700, -74.5946000 |
| Altitude | 22 |
| Country | United States |
End: Plainsboro Center (-74.5946, 40.33177)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 77 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $6.95 | $13.89 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $7.82 | $15.64 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $8.42 | $16.84 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $10.17 | $20.33 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.