How far is Plainsboro, NJ from Clifton, NJ?
The driving distance from Plainsboro, NJ to Clifton, NJ is about 52.4 miles (84.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 42.9 miles (69 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 04m 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 02m.
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.
Unincorporated community in New Jersey, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Plainsboro and Clifton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plainsboro and Clifton.
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1
Start on Prospect Avenue
12 m · 3 sec · Prospect Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Plainsboro Road
1669 ft · 1 min · Plainsboro Road
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3
Turn left onto Schalks Crossing Road
2.3 mi · 4 min · Schalks Crossing Road
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4
Turn left onto Ridge Road
1458 ft · 45 sec · Ridge Road
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5
Turn right
9.7 mi · 14 min
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6
Keep slight left
603 ft · 9 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick
154 m · 8 sec
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8
Keep slight left
112 m · 6 sec
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9
Keep slight left
2.7 mi · 4 min
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10
Continue straight
1.6 km · 1 min
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11
Continue straight
969 ft · 17 sec
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12
Continue straight
1162 ft · 20 sec
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13
Continue straight
5.9 mi · 9 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward GSP Toll North: Garden State Parkway
2305 ft · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
21.5 mi · 30 min · Garden State Parkway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Montclair, Nutley
889 ft · 22 sec
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17
Turn right onto Watchung Avenue
147 m · 15 sec · Watchung Avenue
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18
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Passaic Avenue
2278 ft · 46 sec · East Passaic Avenue
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19
Turn right onto West Passaic Avenue
2703 ft · 53 sec · West Passaic Avenue
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20
Turn left onto Darling Avenue
125 m · 7 sec · Darling Avenue
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21
Continue on Bloomfield Avenue
2001 ft · 38 sec · Bloomfield Avenue
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Allwood Circle
80 m · 5 sec · Allwood Road
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23
Exit the rotary onto Allwood Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Allwood Road
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24
Turn right onto Clifton Avenue
2833 ft · 1 min · Clifton Avenue
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25
Turn right onto Olga B Terrace
53 m · 10 sec · Olga B Terrace
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26
Turn right onto Hutton Road
12 m · 7 sec · Hutton Road
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27
Turn left onto Olga B Terrace
135 m · 25 sec · Olga B Terrace
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28
Turn left onto Donna Drive
733 ft · 34 sec · Donna Drive
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29
Turn right onto Holly Street
157 m · 23 sec · Holly Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Holly Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Plainsboro 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.
Garden State Parkway
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
21.5 mi · 00h 30m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Plainsboro 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 Plainsboro to Clifton?
The road trip is about 52.4 miles (84.3 km) and usually takes 01h 02m 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?
Iselin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.2 miles from Plainsboro and 28.2 miles from Clifton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 42.9 miles (69 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.5 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 4:26 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.56 one way or $15.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Plainsboro and Rain Showers Likely near Clifton.
Stop Ideas Near Iselin
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 Iselin.
Metropark station
New Brunswick station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Pennsylvania Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Plainsboro and Clifton. Straight-line distance: 42.9 mi (69.04 km).
#1 Plainsboro
Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey
| Population | 22,709 |
| Coordinates | 40.3334400, -74.6004300 |
| Altitude | 21 |
| 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: 84 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $7.56 | $15.12 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $8.51 | $17.02 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $9.16 | $18.33 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $11.06 | $22.13 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.