How far is Montgomery, NJ from Clifton, NJ?

The driving distance from Montgomery, NJ to Clifton, NJ is about 54.2 miles (87.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 05m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 40.6 miles (65.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
54.2 mi
01h 05m
Flight
40.56 mi
65.28 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Montgomery.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
40.56 mi
Kilometers
65.28 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
54.2 mi
Kilometers
87.23 km
Drive Time
01h 05m

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 05m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Clifton
Thu, Apr 23, 1:54 AM EDT
Return by in Montgomery
Thu, Apr 23, 2:59 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Montgomery
2026-04-23T00:48
Arrive Clifton
Thu, Apr 23, 1:54 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 05m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:06 AM to 11:06 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:18 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Montgomery
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Bernardsville
NJ

Borough in New Jersey, United States

From Montgomery
27.6 mi
00h 32m
To Clifton
26.6 mi
00h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph NW
Destination
73°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 9 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Montgomery and Clifton.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Montgomery and Clifton.

  1. 1

    Start on Montgomery Road

    16 m · 11 sec · Montgomery Road

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Wertsville Road

    1.3 km · 2 min · Wertsville Road

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Long Hill Road

    1.2 km · 2 min · Long Hill Road

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Amwell Road

    5.7 mi · 10 min · Amwell Road

  5. 5

    Turn left

    1.3 km · 2 min

  6. 6

    Turn left

    5.1 mi · 8 min

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Somerville Circle

    64 m · 3 sec

  8. 8

    Exit the rotary onto US 202 North, US 206 North: Netcong, New York

    1.6 mi · 2 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight left toward I 287 North: Netcong, Morristown

    1981 ft · 48 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    23.6 mi · 29 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East: Smith Road, New York City

    860 ft · 21 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: New York City

    1655 ft · 40 sec

  13. 13

    Continue on Interstate 80 East

    1.9 mi · 2 min · Interstate 80 East

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Paterson, New York City

    897 ft · 22 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto Christopher Columbus Highway

    7.3 mi · 8 min · Christopher Columbus Highway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward US 46 East: Wayne, Clifton, Lincoln Tunnel

    2413 ft · 59 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight right

    2.1 mi · 2 min

  18. 18

    Continue straight

    2.4 mi · 3 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward Grove Street, Van Houten Avenue, Clifton, Passaic

    138 m · 16 sec

  20. 20

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Grove Street

    55 m · 10 sec · Grove Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Van Houten Avenue

    1.3 km · 2 min · Van Houten Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Clifton Avenue

    1817 ft · 47 sec · Clifton Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn left onto St James Place

    680 ft · 32 sec · St James Place

  24. 24

    Turn right onto Donna Drive

    159 m · 28 sec · Donna Drive

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Holly Street

    157 m · 23 sec · Holly Street

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Holly Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Montgomery and Clifton.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
26 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
48 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 287 North
24 mi · 44%
Christopher Columbus Highway
7.27 mi · 13%
Amwell Road
5.68 mi · 10%
US 46 East
5 mi · 9%
Interstate 80 East
1.93 mi · 4%
US 202 North
1.6 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 287 North

Merge slight left

23.6 mi · 00h 29m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 05m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.6 mi
40.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bernardsville
00h 32m from Montgomery
Leave By
4:18 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Montgomery and Sunny near Clifton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Montgomery to Clifton?

The road trip is about 54.2 miles (87.2 km) and usually takes 01h 05m 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?

Bernardsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27.6 miles from Montgomery and 26.6 miles from Clifton.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 40.6 miles (65.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.6 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 4:18 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.80 one way or $15.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Montgomery and Sunny near Clifton.

Stop Ideas Near Bernardsville

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Bernardsville, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bernardsville.

RAIL

Metropark station

26 mi away
100 Middlesex-Essex Turnpike
RAIL

New Brunswick station

27 mi away
French and Albany Streets
RAIL

Newark Liberty International Airport

32 mi away
Newark Liberty International Airport
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

34 mi away
1 Raymond Plaza West

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Montgomery and Clifton. Straight-line distance: 40.56 mi (65.28 km).

Montgomery

#1 Montgomery

Township in Somerset County, New Jersey

Population23,094
Coordinates40.4784400, -74.7537700
Altitude38
CountryUnited States
Clifton

#2 Clifton

The most populous city in Passaic County, New Jersey.

Population85,025
Coordinates40.8584300, -74.1637600
Altitude57
CountryUnited States
Start: Montgomery Road (-74.753798, 40.478428)
End: Holly Street (-74.163585, 40.858575)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 87 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 48m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 21m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 05m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 54m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 46m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 40m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.91 gal
7.24 L · about $7.80
Round trip
$15.61
3.82 gal · 14.48 L
Estimated CO2
17 kg one way
Round trip: 33.9 kg / 75 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $7.80 $15.61
Mid-grade $4.60 $8.78 $17.57
Premium $4.95 $9.46 $18.92
Diesel $5.98 $11.42 $22.84

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

There is no time difference between Montgomery and Clifton. The current time is 00:48:25.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.