How far is Watchung, NJ from Clifton, NJ?
The driving distance from Watchung, NJ to Clifton, NJ is about 26.1 miles (42 km), with a travel time of about 00h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 21.4 miles (34.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 03m 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 31m.
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.
A city in Union County, New Jersey.
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 Watchung and Clifton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Watchung and Clifton.
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1
Start on the route
95 m · 28 sec
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2
Turn left
19 m · 9 sec
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3
Turn left onto Valley Road
33 m · 6 sec · Valley Road
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4
Turn sharp right onto Hillcrest Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Hillcrest Road
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 78 East: Newark
2132 ft · 52 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
7 mi · 8 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
4.6 mi · 5 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward GSP: G.S. Parkway
1412 ft · 48 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on GSP North Toll
1.1 km · 2 min
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10
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
8.9 mi · 12 min · Garden State Parkway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Montclair, Nutley
889 ft · 22 sec
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12
Turn right onto Watchung Avenue
147 m · 15 sec · Watchung Avenue
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13
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Passaic Avenue
2278 ft · 46 sec · East Passaic Avenue
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14
Turn right onto West Passaic Avenue
2703 ft · 53 sec · West Passaic Avenue
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15
Turn left onto Darling Avenue
125 m · 7 sec · Darling Avenue
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16
Continue on Bloomfield Avenue
2001 ft · 38 sec · Bloomfield Avenue
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Allwood Circle
80 m · 5 sec · Allwood Road
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18
Exit the rotary onto Allwood Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Allwood Road
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19
Turn right onto Clifton Avenue
2833 ft · 1 min · Clifton Avenue
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20
Turn right onto Olga B Terrace
53 m · 10 sec · Olga B Terrace
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21
Turn right onto Hutton Road
12 m · 7 sec · Hutton Road
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22
Turn left onto Olga B Terrace
135 m · 25 sec · Olga B Terrace
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23
Turn left onto Donna Drive
733 ft · 34 sec · Donna Drive
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24
Turn right onto Holly Street
157 m · 23 sec · Holly Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Holly Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Watchung 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
8.91 mi · 00h 12m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Watchung 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 Watchung to Clifton?
The road trip is about 26.1 miles (42 km) and usually takes 00h 31m 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?
Union is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.2 miles from Watchung and 12.9 miles from Clifton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 21.4 miles (34.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.7 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:26 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.76 one way or $7.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Watchung and Rain Showers Likely near Clifton.
Stop Ideas Near Union
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 Union.
Newark Liberty International Airport
Pennsylvania Station
Metropark station
Pennsylvania Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Watchung and Clifton. Straight-line distance: 21.41 mi (34.45 km).
#1 Watchung
Borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States
| Population | 6,007 |
| Coordinates | 40.6378800, -74.4509900 |
| Altitude | 54 |
| 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: 42 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $3.76 | $7.52 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $4.23 | $8.46 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $4.56 | $9.12 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $5.50 | $11.00 |
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.