How far is North Cape May, NJ from Clifton, NJ?
The driving distance from North Cape May, NJ to Clifton, NJ is about 159.5 miles (256.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 136.3 miles (219.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 29m 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 44m.
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.
Census designated place in Lacey Township, Ocean 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 North Cape May and Clifton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Cape May and Clifton.
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1
Start on Pacific Avenue
2894 ft · 2 min · Pacific Avenue
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Lincoln Boulevard
1.4 mi · 2 min · Lincoln Boulevard
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3
Continue on Sandman Boulevard
1.1 mi · 2 min · Sandman Boulevard
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4
Turn right onto Shore Road
3190 ft · 1 min · Shore Road
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5
Keep slight left to continue on GSP North
2782 ft · 1 min
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6
Merge slight right onto Garden State Parkway
18.8 mi · 22 min · Garden State Parkway
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7
Take the exit slight left
2408 ft · 32 sec
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8
Merge slight right onto Garden State Parkway
33.8 mi · 39 min · Garden State Parkway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Garden State Parkway
50.2 mi · 59 min · Garden State Parkway
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10
Keep slight left
2399 ft · 31 sec
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11
Continue on Garden State Parkway
48.1 mi · 1 hr 2 min · Garden State Parkway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Montclair, Nutley
889 ft · 22 sec
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13
Turn right onto Watchung Avenue
147 m · 15 sec · Watchung Avenue
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14
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Passaic Avenue
2278 ft · 46 sec · East Passaic Avenue
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15
Turn right onto West Passaic Avenue
2703 ft · 53 sec · West Passaic Avenue
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16
Turn left onto Darling Avenue
125 m · 7 sec · Darling Avenue
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17
Continue on Bloomfield Avenue
2001 ft · 38 sec · Bloomfield Avenue
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Allwood Circle
80 m · 5 sec · Allwood Road
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19
Exit the rotary onto Allwood Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Allwood Road
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20
Turn right onto Clifton Avenue
2833 ft · 1 min · Clifton Avenue
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21
Turn right onto Olga B Terrace
53 m · 10 sec · Olga B Terrace
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22
Turn right onto Hutton Road
12 m · 7 sec · Hutton Road
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23
Turn left onto Olga B Terrace
135 m · 25 sec · Olga B Terrace
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24
Turn left onto Donna Drive
733 ft · 34 sec · Donna Drive
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25
Turn right onto Holly Street
157 m · 23 sec · Holly Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Holly Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between North Cape May 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
Keep slight left to continue on Garden State Parkway
50.2 mi · 00h 59m
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 North Cape May and Rain Showers Likely near Clifton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from North Cape May to Clifton?
The road trip is about 159.5 miles (256.7 km) and usually takes 02h 44m 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?
Forked River is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.8 miles from North Cape May and 79.7 miles from Clifton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 136.3 miles (219.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.2 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 1:00 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.00 one way or $46.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around North Cape May and Rain Showers Likely near Clifton.
Stop Ideas Near Forked River
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 Forked River.
Egg Harbor City, New Jersey
Absecon
Hammonton, New Jersey
Atlantic City Rail Terminal
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between North Cape May and Clifton. Straight-line distance: 136.3 mi (219.36 km).
#1 North Cape May
Census designated place
| Population | 3,226 |
| Coordinates | 38.9820600, -74.9579500 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| 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: 257 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $23.00 | $46.01 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $25.89 | $51.78 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $27.89 | $55.78 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $33.67 | $67.33 |
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.