How far is Rutherford, NJ from Clifton, NJ?
The driving distance from Rutherford, NJ to Clifton, NJ is about 5.7 miles (9.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 3.7 miles (6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 23m 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 11m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rutherford and Clifton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rutherford and Clifton.
-
1
Start on Park Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · Park Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Marginal Road
606 ft · 10 sec · Marginal Road
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3
Take the ramp straight toward NJ 3 West
1372 ft · 33 sec
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4
Keep slight left to continue on NJ 3 West
939 ft · 23 sec
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5
Merge slight left
3.2 mi · 4 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward Broad Street, Bloomfield, Paterson
151 m · 14 sec
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7
Keep slight right
36 m · 4 sec
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8
Turn right onto Allwood Road
1032 ft · 31 sec · Allwood Road
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9
Turn left onto Clifton Avenue
2833 ft · 1 min · Clifton Avenue
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10
Turn right onto Olga B Terrace
53 m · 10 sec · Olga B Terrace
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11
Turn right onto Hutton Road
12 m · 7 sec · Hutton Road
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12
Turn left onto Olga B Terrace
135 m · 25 sec · Olga B Terrace
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13
Turn left onto Donna Drive
733 ft · 34 sec · Donna Drive
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14
Turn right onto Holly Street
157 m · 23 sec · Holly Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Holly Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rutherford 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.
NJ 3 West
Merge slight left
3.17 mi · 00h 04m
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 Rutherford and Sunny near Clifton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rutherford to Clifton?
The road trip is about 5.7 miles (9.2 km) and usually takes 00h 11m 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?
Nutley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 2.9 miles from Rutherford and 2.9 miles from Clifton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 3.7 miles (6 km), while the road route adds roughly 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:06 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $0.82 one way or $1.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 1.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Rutherford and Sunny near Clifton.
Stop Ideas Near Nutley
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall Parking Lot
#Artlook New York City Hall Wedding Photographer
City Hall Personnel Office
Diamond City Hall Photography
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Nutley.
Pennsylvania Station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Pennsylvania Station
Yonkers station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rutherford and Clifton. Straight-line distance: 3.7 mi (5.96 km).
#1 Rutherford
Borough in New Jersey, United States
| Population | 18,209 |
| Coordinates | 40.8264900, -74.1068100 |
| Altitude | 28 |
| 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: 9 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $0.82 | $1.63 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $0.92 | $1.84 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $0.99 | $1.98 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $1.20 | $2.39 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.