How far is Clifton, NJ from Surf City, NJ?
The driving distance from Clifton, NJ to Surf City, NJ is about 100.2 miles (161.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 82.6 miles (133 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 19m 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 02h 09m.
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.
Borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Clifton and Surf City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton and Surf City.
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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
6.2 mi · 8 min · Garden State Parkway Southbound
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Garden State Parkway
1.2 km · 49 sec · Garden State Parkway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Garden State Parkway
61 mi · 1 hr 11 min · Garden State Parkway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward NJ 72: Long Beach Island, Pemberton
752 ft · 26 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on NJ 72 East: Long Beach Island
1190 ft · 41 sec
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17
Merge slight left
7.1 mi · 10 min
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18
Keep slight left to continue on West 9th Street
58 m · 11 sec · West 9th Street
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19
Turn left onto Long Beach Boulevard
1.1 mi · 3 min · Long Beach Boulevard
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20
Turn right onto North 12th Street
46 m · 5 sec · North 12th Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 12th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clifton and Surf City.
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
Keep slight right to continue on Garden State Parkway
61 mi · 01h 11m
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Clifton and Rain Showers Likely near Surf City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Clifton to Surf City?
The road trip is about 100.2 miles (161.3 km) and usually takes 02h 09m 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?
Eatontown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 50.1 miles from Clifton and 50.1 miles from Surf City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 82.6 miles (133 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.6 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 2:10 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.46 one way or $28.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Clifton and Rain Showers Likely near Surf City.
Stop Ideas Near Eatontown
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 Eatontown.
Metropark station
New Brunswick station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Princeton Junction station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clifton and Surf City. Straight-line distance: 82.66 mi (133.03 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 Surf City
Borough in Ocean County, New Jersey
| Population | 1,205 |
| Coordinates | 39.6620600, -74.1651400 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
End: Surf City (-74.16514, 39.66206)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 161 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $14.46 | $28.93 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $16.28 | $32.56 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $17.54 | $35.07 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $21.17 | $42.34 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.