How far is Highlands, NJ from Clifton, NJ?
The driving distance from Highlands, NJ to Clifton, NJ is about 49.8 miles (80.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 32.7 miles (52.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 06m 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 03m.
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.
Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Highlands and Clifton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Highlands and Clifton.
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1
Start on Sea Drift Avenue
24 m · 11 sec · Sea Drift Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Bay Avenue
788 ft · 27 sec · Bay Avenue
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3
Turn left onto Waterwitch Avenue
149 m · 13 sec · Waterwitch Avenue
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4
Continue on Linden Avenue
1541 ft · 45 sec · Linden Avenue
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5
Turn right onto Navesink Avenue
1352 ft · 28 sec · Navesink Avenue
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6
Continue on Memorial Parkway
2.2 mi · 4 min · Memorial Parkway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward CR 516 West: Highlands
556 ft · 19 sec
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8
Turn slight right onto Leonardville Road
3.2 mi · 5 min · Leonardville Road
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9
Turn right onto Cherry Tree Farm Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · Cherry Tree Farm Road
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10
Turn right
3.8 mi · 6 min
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11
Take the exit slight left toward GSP: Clark Street
2550 ft · 1 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Local, All Exits
1071 ft · 14 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
33.6 mi · 46 min · Garden State Parkway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Montclair, Nutley
889 ft · 22 sec
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15
Turn right onto Watchung Avenue
147 m · 15 sec · Watchung Avenue
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16
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Passaic Avenue
2278 ft · 46 sec · East Passaic Avenue
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17
Turn right onto West Passaic Avenue
2703 ft · 53 sec · West Passaic Avenue
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18
Turn left onto Darling Avenue
125 m · 7 sec · Darling Avenue
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19
Continue on Bloomfield Avenue
2001 ft · 38 sec · Bloomfield Avenue
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Allwood Circle
80 m · 5 sec · Allwood Road
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21
Exit the rotary onto Allwood Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Allwood Road
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22
Turn right onto Clifton Avenue
2833 ft · 1 min · Clifton Avenue
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23
Turn right onto Olga B Terrace
53 m · 10 sec · Olga B Terrace
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24
Turn right onto Hutton Road
12 m · 7 sec · Hutton Road
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25
Turn left onto Olga B Terrace
135 m · 25 sec · Olga B Terrace
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26
Turn left onto Donna Drive
733 ft · 34 sec · Donna Drive
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27
Turn right onto Holly Street
157 m · 23 sec · Holly Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Holly Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Highlands and Clifton.
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
33.6 mi · 00h 46m
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 Highlands and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Clifton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Highlands to Clifton?
The road trip is about 49.8 miles (80.2 km) and usually takes 01h 03m 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?
Menlo Park is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.8 miles from Highlands and 25 miles from Clifton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 32.7 miles (52.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.1 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 4:24 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.19 one way or $14.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Highlands and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Clifton.
Stop Ideas Near Menlo Park
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 Menlo Park.
Metropark station
New Brunswick station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Pennsylvania Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Highlands and Clifton. Straight-line distance: 32.69 mi (52.61 km).
#1 Highlands
Borough of New Jersey
| Population | 4,693 |
| Coordinates | 40.4037200, -73.9915300 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Clifton
The most populous city in Passaic County, New Jersey.
| Population | 85,025 |
| Coordinates | 40.8584300, -74.1637600 |
| Altitude | 57 |
| Country | United States |
End: Holly Street (-74.163585, 40.858575)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 80 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $7.19 | $14.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $8.09 | $16.19 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $8.72 | $17.44 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $10.52 | $21.05 |
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 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.