How far is Madison, NJ from Clifton, NJ?
The driving distance from Madison, NJ to Clifton, NJ is about 26.2 miles (42.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 14.9 miles (24 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 10m 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 35m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in New Jersey, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Madison and Clifton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madison and Clifton.
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1
Start on Main Street
75 m · 9 sec · Main Street
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2
Keep slight right to continue on Park Avenue
2.4 mi · 5 min · Park Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Columbia Turnpike
2581 ft · 48 sec · Columbia Turnpike
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward NJ 24 West
1444 ft · 44 sec
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5
Keep slight left
2091 ft · 27 sec
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6
Merge slight left
1.1 mi · 1 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 287 North: Mahwah
2647 ft · 57 sec
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8
Merge slight left
3.5 mi · 5 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East: Smith Road, New York City
860 ft · 21 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: New York City
1655 ft · 40 sec
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11
Continue on Interstate 80 East
1.9 mi · 2 min · Interstate 80 East
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Paterson, New York City
897 ft · 22 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Christopher Columbus Highway
7.3 mi · 8 min · Christopher Columbus Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 46 East: Wayne, Clifton, Lincoln Tunnel
2413 ft · 59 sec
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15
Merge slight right
2.1 mi · 2 min
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16
Continue straight
2.4 mi · 3 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Grove Street, Van Houten Avenue, Clifton, Passaic
138 m · 16 sec
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18
At the end of the road, turn right onto Grove Street
55 m · 10 sec · Grove Street
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19
Turn left onto Van Houten Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · Van Houten Avenue
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20
Turn right onto Clifton Avenue
1817 ft · 47 sec · Clifton Avenue
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21
Turn left onto St James Place
680 ft · 32 sec · St James Place
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22
Turn right onto Donna Drive
159 m · 28 sec · Donna Drive
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23
Turn left onto Holly Street
157 m · 23 sec · Holly Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Holly Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Madison and Clifton.
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.
Christopher Columbus Highway
Merge slight left onto Christopher Columbus Highway
7.27 mi · 00h 08m
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 Madison and Sunny near Clifton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Madison to Clifton?
The road trip is about 26.2 miles (42.1 km) and usually takes 00h 35m 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?
Clinton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.6 miles from Madison and 13.5 miles from Clifton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 14.9 miles (24 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:20 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.76 one way or $7.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Madison and Sunny near Clifton.
Stop Ideas Near Clinton
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 Clinton.
Pennsylvania Station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Pennsylvania Station
Metropark station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Madison and Clifton. Straight-line distance: 14.9 mi (23.98 km).
#1 Madison
Borough in Morris County, New Jersey, United States
| Population | 17,612 |
| Coordinates | 40.7598200, -74.4171000 |
| Altitude | 79 |
| 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: 42 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $3.76 | $7.52 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $4.23 | $8.46 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $4.56 | $9.12 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $5.50 | $11.00 |
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 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.