How far is Clifton, NJ from Watchung, NJ?
The driving distance from Clifton, NJ to Watchung, NJ is about 26.8 miles (43.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 21.4 miles (34.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 39m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Clifton and Watchung.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton and Watchung.
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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
10.9 mi · 16 min · Garden State Parkway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 78 West: Springfield
1.1 km · 2 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
3.6 mi · 4 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 78 West: Clinton
885 ft · 12 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
8.1 mi · 9 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward CR 531: The Plainfields, Gillette, Watchung
1007 ft · 25 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on CR 531 South: The Plainfields, Watchung
38 m · 3 sec
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18
Turn left onto Hillcrest Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Hillcrest Road
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19
Turn right onto Valley Road
785 ft · 18 sec · Valley Road
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20
Keep slight left
574 ft · 12 sec
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21
Keep slight right to continue on Valley Road
147 m · 13 sec · Valley Road
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22
Turn right
19 m · 7 sec
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23
Turn right
95 m · 23 sec
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clifton and Watchung.
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
10.9 mi · 00h 16m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Clifton and Mostly Sunny near Watchung.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Clifton to Watchung?
The road trip is about 26.8 miles (43.2 km) and usually takes 00h 39m 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?
Union is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.4 miles from Clifton and 13.4 miles from Watchung.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 21.4 miles (34.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.4 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 7:12 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.88 one way or $7.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Clifton and Mostly Sunny near Watchung.
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 Watchung. Straight-line distance: 21.41 mi (34.45 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 Watchung
Borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States
| Population | 6,007 |
| Coordinates | 40.6378800, -74.4509900 |
| Altitude | 54 |
| Country | United States |
End: Watchung (-74.45099, 40.63788)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 43 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 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 | $3.88 | $7.76 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $4.37 | $8.74 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $4.71 | $9.41 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $5.68 | $11.36 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.