How far is South River, NJ from Clifton, NJ?

The driving distance from South River, NJ to Clifton, NJ is about 41.5 miles (66.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 30.8 miles (49.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 37m 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
41.5 mi
00h 48m
Flight
30.75 mi
49.49 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from South River.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
30.75 mi
Kilometers
49.49 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
41.5 mi
Kilometers
66.79 km
Drive Time
00h 48m

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 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Clifton
Wed, Apr 22, 10:06 PM EDT
Return by in South River
Wed, Apr 22, 10:55 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave South River
2026-04-22T21:17
Arrive Clifton
Wed, Apr 22, 10:06 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:49 AM to 10:49 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:52 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in South River
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
Winfield
NJ

Census-designated place in Union County, Pennsylvania

From South River
18.3 mi
00h 24m
To Clifton
23.2 mi
00h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
61°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph S
Destination
60°F
Wednesday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between South River and Clifton.

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    2013 ft · 36 sec · Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Hillside Avenue

    111 m · 12 sec · Hillside Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on Milltown Road

    137 m · 12 sec · Milltown Road

  4. 4

    Take the ramp straight

    89 m · 12 sec

  5. 5

    Keep slight right

    916 ft · 25 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto State Route 18

    2.9 mi · 4 min · State Route 18

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 1 North: Newark

    1359 ft · 43 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    1.4 km · 1 min

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    969 ft · 17 sec

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    1162 ft · 20 sec

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    5.9 mi · 9 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward GSP Toll North: Garden State Parkway

    2305 ft · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway

    21.5 mi · 30 min · Garden State Parkway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward Montclair, Nutley

    889 ft · 22 sec

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Watchung Avenue

    147 m · 15 sec · Watchung Avenue

  16. 16

    At the end of the road, turn left onto East Passaic Avenue

    2278 ft · 46 sec · East Passaic Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn right onto West Passaic Avenue

    2703 ft · 53 sec · West Passaic Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Darling Avenue

    125 m · 7 sec · Darling Avenue

  19. 19

    Continue on Bloomfield Avenue

    2001 ft · 38 sec · Bloomfield Avenue

  20. 20

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Allwood Circle

    80 m · 5 sec · Allwood Road

  21. 21

    Exit the rotary onto Allwood Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · Allwood Road

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Clifton Avenue

    2833 ft · 1 min · Clifton Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Olga B Terrace

    53 m · 10 sec · Olga B Terrace

  24. 24

    Turn right onto Hutton Road

    12 m · 7 sec · Hutton Road

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Olga B Terrace

    135 m · 25 sec · Olga B Terrace

  26. 26

    Turn left onto Donna Drive

    733 ft · 34 sec · Donna Drive

  27. 27

    Turn right onto Holly Street

    157 m · 23 sec · Holly Street

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Holly Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between South River 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
28 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
67.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Garden State Parkway
21.5 mi · 52%
US 1 North
7.47 mi · 18%
State Route 18
2.89 mi · 7%
Allwood Road
0.99 mi · 2%
Clifton Avenue
0.54 mi · 1%
West Passaic Avenue
0.51 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

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
00h 48m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.7 mi
30.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Winfield
00h 24m from South River
Leave By
4:52 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving South River 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 South River to Clifton?

The road trip is about 41.5 miles (66.8 km) and usually takes 00h 48m 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?

Winfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.3 miles from South River and 23.2 miles from Clifton.

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

The direct path is about 30.8 miles (49.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.7 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 4:52 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.97 one way or $11.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around South River and Rain Showers Likely near Clifton.

Stop Ideas Near Winfield

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Winfield and the surrounding midpoint area.
City Hall Park
Scenic stop 13.9 mi away

City Hall Park

Jersey City , NJ
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Rating 4.2/5 88 reviews Park
City of Elizabeth
Meeting point 4.4 mi away

City of Elizabeth

Elizabeth , NJ
50 Winfield Scott Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Rating 4.5/5 65 reviews City Hall
Bloomfield Municipal Building
Nearby stop 11.5 mi away

Bloomfield Municipal Building

Bloomfield , NJ
1 Municipal Plaza, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Rating 4.4/5 17 reviews Municipal hall
City Hall Parking Lot
Scenic stop 14 mi away

City Hall Parking Lot

Jersey City , NJ
280 Grove St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews Parking lot

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Metropark station

9 mi away
100 Middlesex-Essex Turnpike
RAIL

Newark Liberty International Airport

11 mi away
Newark Liberty International Airport
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

14 mi away
1 Raymond Plaza West
RAIL

New Brunswick station

21 mi away
French and Albany Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between South River and Clifton. Straight-line distance: 30.75 mi (49.49 km).

South River

#1 South River

Borough in Middlesex County, New Jersey

Population15,624
Coordinates40.4464900, -74.3859800
Altitude25
CountryUnited States
Clifton

#2 Clifton

The most populous city in Passaic County, New Jersey.

Population85,025
Coordinates40.8584300, -74.1637600
Altitude57
CountryUnited States
Start: Main Street (-74.385888, 40.44645)
End: Holly Street (-74.163585, 40.858575)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 67 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 22m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 02m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 49m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 35m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 31m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.46 gal
5.54 L · about $5.97
Round trip
$11.93
2.92 gal · 11.08 L
Estimated CO2
13 kg one way
Round trip: 26 kg / 57 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $5.97 $11.93
Mid-grade $4.60 $6.71 $13.43
Premium $4.95 $7.23 $14.47
Diesel $5.98 $8.73 $17.46

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 South River and Clifton. The current time is 21:17:32.

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.