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Trip from Absecon, NJ to Paterson, NJ

Data updated 2 hours ago

Drive Time

2h 31m

Distance

122 mi

196 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

31 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 21m ★
6 AM
2h 32m
8 AM
2h 52m
10 AM
2h 39m
12 PM
2h 37m
3 PM
2h 40m
5 PM
2h 51m
8 PM
2h 25m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Absecon, NJ, NJ

Absecon, NJ

Garrison Gao

city in and the county seat of Passaic County, New Jersey, United States

Paterson, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 122-mile drive from Absecon to Paterson, New Jersey, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 31 minutes. It's an ideal one-day trip, especially with a fuel cost estimate of around $20. The route primarily utilizes the Garden State Parkway, making it a convenient option for traversing the state. Given its relatively short duration and high highway share, it's a practical choice for a quick transit between the Northeast regions of New Jersey. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained parkways and highways.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

61 miles from Absecon, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with a 96% highway share. The majority of your travel will be on the Garden State Parkway, offering a consistent driving pace for a significant portion of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 115.1 miles on this parkway, allowing for sustained cruising. While primarily highway, the final approach to Paterson involves NJ 19, offering a slight shift in scenery and road type as you near your destination. The overall feel is efficient and direct, minimizing complex navigation.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Garden State Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 115.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and NJ 19. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.6 miles in near GSP / Garden State Parkway.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 122 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 16.6 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 118.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 121.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
16.6 mi into trip | ~19m in | GSP / Garden State Parkway

Keep slight left at fork onto GSP / Garden State Parkway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
7
118.9 mi into trip | ~2h 26m in

Take the exit toward NJ 19: Paterson

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Exit 155A Toward NJ 19: Paterson
8
121.3 mi into trip | ~2h 29m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Grand Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward Grand Street
7
121.5 mi into trip | ~2h 30m in | CR 638 / Grand Street

Turn right onto CR 638 / Grand Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
6
121.6 mi into trip | ~2h 30m in | CR 509 / Main Street

Turn left onto CR 509 / Main Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Garden State Parkway 115.1 mi 2h 21m
NJ 19 1.7 mi 1m
Absecon Boulevard 1.5 mi 1m
East White Horse Pike 1.2 mi 1m
Shore Road 0.4 mi <1m
Main Street 0.3 mi <1m
Grand Street 0.2 mi <1m
Market Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Garden State Parkway — 115.1 mi, about 2h 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Absecon, NJ and Paterson, NJ.

1

Start on East Faunce Landing Road

71 ft · 5 sec · East Faunce Landing Road
2

Turn left onto NJ 157

0.4 mi · 34 sec · Shore Road
3

Take the ramp

133 ft · 4 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
4

Turn right onto US 30

1.5 mi · 1 min · Absecon Boulevard
Use the right lane.
5

Continue on US 30

1.2 mi · 1 min · East White Horse Pike
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward GSP Toll North: Garden State Parkway North
7

Merge onto GSP

13 mi · 15 min · Garden State Parkway
8

Keep slight left at fork onto GSP

50 mi · 58 min · Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 31 sec
10

Continue on GSP

52 mi · 1 hr 7 min · Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 155A Toward NJ 19: Paterson Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12

Merge onto NJ 19

1.7 mi · 1 min · NJ 19
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

313 ft · 7 sec
Toward I 80 West: Grand Street, Del Water Gap
14

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 23 sec
Toward Grand Street Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15

Turn right onto CR 638

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Grand Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
16

Turn left onto CR 509

0.3 mi · 29 sec · Main Street
Use the straight lane.
17

Turn right onto CR 648

453 ft · 15 sec · Market Street
18

Turn left onto Colt Street

42 ft · 3 sec · Colt Street
19

Arrive at destination

Colt Street

Trip Plan

For this 2-hour and 31-minute drive, starting your journey in the morning can help you avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the Paterson area. With only an estimated $20 in fuel costs and a single suggested stop, you have a lot of flexibility. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on the Garden State Parkway is quite extensive. Consider making your planned stop around the midpoint to break up the drive comfortably. Since this is a short, highway-centric route, you can easily adapt your schedule based on your needs.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 61 miles from Absecon, NJ, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.1 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 80 miles or 1h 35m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 61 miles or 1h 11m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 1m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Paterson, NJ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Absecon, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Absecon, NJ

This is one driving day of about 122 miles and 2h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Absecon, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 115.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 61 mi from Absecon, NJ · 1h 11m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

61 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Staten Island, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 61 miles from Absecon, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Garden State Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 115.1 miles.

Arriving in Paterson, NJ

The final approach into Paterson, NJ usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Paterson, NJ.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Silk cloth and steam locomotives; textiles and continuous paper rolls; firearms and aircraft engines. What do these things have in common? All were manufactured in the same place - Paterson, NJ. In 17...

0 mi from route ~1 min detour Free near mile 122
Caution: Limited Amphitheater Accessibility
Caution: Overlook Park Parking Lot - Vehicles Must Be Parked in a Designated Spot
View on nps.gov
Thomas Edison National Historical Park

Thomas Edison National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Today, the brick buildings on Main Street in West Orange, NJ seem quiet, betraying little evidence of the research, development, and innovation of their heyday. Visitors can step back in time to Thoma...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 near mile 109.4
View on nps.gov
Morristown National Historical Park

Morristown National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Morristown National Historical Park commemorates the sites of General Washington and the Continental Army’s winter encampment from December 1779 to June 1780, where soldiers survived the coldest winte...

15 mi from route ~38 min detour Free near mile 101
View on nps.gov
Gateway National Recreation Area

Gateway National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...

18 mi from route ~46 min detour Free near mile 75.7
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.23 one way

$40.45 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 43 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $22.15 $44.30
premium $4.93 $23.66 $47.32
diesel $5.61 $26.94 $53.87

Estimated Tolls: $6.90

Garden State Parkway (115.1 mi) $6.90

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Tolls

$7

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 42.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

31 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Wawa - Tesla Supercharger

Egg Harbor Township, NJ

Tesla

12 DCFC

Target - Tesla Supercharger

Stafford Township, NJ

Tesla

12 DCFC

Wawa - Tesla Supercharger

Egg Harbor Township, NJ

Tesla

8 DCFC

JR's Fresh Market - Tesla Supercharger

Egg Harbor Township, NJ

Tesla

8 DCFC

Wawa - Tesla Supercharger

Barnegat, NJ

Tesla

8 DCFC

Wawa - Tesla Supercharger

Toms River, NJ

Tesla

8 DCFC

Wawa - Tesla Supercharger

Brick Township, NJ

Tesla

8 DCFC

Larson Ford

Lakewood, NJ

CHARGESMART_EV

6 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 15 Tesla: 7 EV Connect: 3 CHARGESMART_EV: 2 EVIUM: 1 CHARGEUP: 1 Blink Network: 1 Electrify America: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 36.6 0 $12.81 $5.86
Efficient EV 30.5 0 $10.67 $4.88
EV Truck/SUV 48.8 0 $17.08 $7.81

Gas CO2

43 kg

EV CO2

14 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Absecon, NJ

Evening in Absecon on Tuesday

Local time

5:02 PM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Paterson, NJ

Evening in Paterson on Tuesday

Local time

5:02 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

1 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 31m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Absecon, NJ to Paterson, NJ covers 122 miles and takes about 2h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, NJ 19, Absecon Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 61 miles from Absecon, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.23 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 122 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.6 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 118.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 121.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Absecon, NJ to Paterson, NJ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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