How far is Clifton, NJ from South Plainfield, NJ?
The driving distance from Clifton, NJ to South Plainfield, NJ is about 27.3 miles (44 km), with a travel time of about 00h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 23.2 miles (37.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 31m 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 00h 45m.
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.
A city in Union County, New Jersey.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Clifton and South Plainfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton and South Plainfield.
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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
17.8 mi · 25 min · Garden State Parkway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Clark, Westfield
727 ft · 18 sec
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13
Turn right onto Central Avenue
1842 ft · 60 sec · Central Avenue
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14
Turn left onto Raritan Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Raritan Road
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15
Continue on Oak Ridge Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Oak Ridge Road
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16
Continue on Feather Bed Lane
2815 ft · 2 min · Feather Bed Lane
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17
At the end of the road, turn right onto Inman Avenue
2.3 mi · 4 min · Inman Avenue
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18
At the end of the road, turn left onto Old Raritan Road
1356 ft · 29 sec · Old Raritan Road
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19
Continue on Maple Street
1037 ft · 21 sec · Maple Street
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20
Continue on Maple Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · Maple Avenue
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21
Turn left onto Front Street
1210 ft · 37 sec · Front Street
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22
Turn right onto South Plainfield Avenue
37 m · 5 sec · South Plainfield Avenue
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Plainfield Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clifton and South Plainfield.
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.
Garden State Parkway
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
17.8 mi · 00h 25m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Clifton and Mostly Sunny near South Plainfield.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Clifton to South Plainfield?
The road trip is about 27.3 miles (44 km) and usually takes 00h 45m 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?
Union is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.7 miles from Clifton and 13.7 miles from South Plainfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 23.2 miles (37.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.1 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 4:58 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.92 one way or $7.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Clifton and Mostly Sunny near South Plainfield.
Stop Ideas Near Union
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall Parking Lot
#Artlook New York City Hall Wedding Photographer
City Hall Personnel Office
Diamond City Hall Photography
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Union.
Newark Liberty International Airport
Pennsylvania Station
Metropark station
Pennsylvania Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clifton and South Plainfield. Straight-line distance: 23.25 mi (37.41 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 South Plainfield
Borough in Middlesex County, New Jersey
| Population | 23,965 |
| Coordinates | 40.5792700, -74.4115400 |
| Altitude | 18 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Plainfield (-74.41154, 40.57927)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 44 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $3.92 | $7.85 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $4.42 | $8.83 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $4.76 | $9.51 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $5.74 | $11.48 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.