Origin
Allentown, NJ
Night in Allentown on Tuesday
Local time
10:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Allentown, NJ to Paterson, NJ
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 23m
Distance
61.5 mi
99 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 17m
★
6 AM
1h 24m
8 AM
1h 37m
10 AM
1h 28m
12 PM
1h 27m
3 PM
1h 29m
5 PM
1h 36m
8 PM
1h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Allentown, NJ
James Kampeis
Paterson, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 61.5-mile drive from Allentown, NJ, to Paterson, NJ, is designed to be completed in about 1 hour and 23 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily be on major roadways like the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike, with an 82% highway share. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $10, reflecting its relatively short distance. Given the straightforward nature and manageable duration, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay. Both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region, keeping the travel geographically contained.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
30.8 miles from Allentown, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 39m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 61.5-mile trip. With an 82% highway share, you'll spend the majority of your time on fast-paced roads, including a continuous 25.8-mile stretch on the Garden State Parkway. While the bulk of the journey utilizes major arteries, Old York Road offers a brief interlude from the interstate feel. This route prioritizes efficient travel, so if you're looking for a scenic, meandering drive, this might not be it, but it's efficient for getting from point A to point B.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 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 25.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 31.3 miles in.
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 61.5 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 31.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
31.3 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Take the exit toward US 9, GSP: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 11
Toward US 9, GSP: Garden State Parkway, Woodbri...
7
31.8 mi into trip
|
~41m in
Keep slight right at fork toward GSP North: Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward GSP North: Garden State Parkway
7
58.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m 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
60.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m 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
61 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
|
CR 638 / Grand Street
Turn right onto CR 638 / Grand Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Allentown, NJ to Paterson, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Woodbridge along the way.
Woodbridge
31.3 mi in
|
~40m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 25.8 mi | 35m |
| New Jersey Turnpike | 22.9 mi | 26m |
| Old York Road | 5.8 mi | 8m |
| NJ 19 | 1.7 mi | 1m |
| South Main Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| North Main Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Franklin Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 25.8 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Allentown, NJ and Paterson, NJ.
1
Start on Maiden Lane
21 ft
·
0 sec
·
Maiden Lane
2
Turn right onto CR 526
147 ft
·
9 sec
·
Waker Street
3
Turn sharp right onto CR 524; CR 539
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
4
Continue on CR 524; CR 539
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Old York Road
5
Continue on CR 539
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
6
Turn slight right
94 ft
·
3 sec
7
Turn right onto NJ 33
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Franklin Street
8
Turn left onto I 95; NJTP
23 mi
·
26 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 11
Toward US 9, GSP: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward GSP North: Garden State Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto GSP
26 mi
·
35 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 155A
Toward NJ 19: Paterson
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Merge onto NJ 19
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
NJ 19
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
313 ft
·
7 sec
Toward I 80 West: Grand Street, Del Water Gap
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
Toward Grand Street
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Turn right onto CR 638
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Grand Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto CR 509
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
Main Street
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto CR 648
453 ft
·
15 sec
·
Market Street
19
Turn left onto Colt Street
42 ft
·
3 sec
·
Colt Street
20
Arrive at destination
Colt Street
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 23-minute drive, departing earlier in the morning or later in the evening can help you avoid potential traffic on the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike. Since there are no recommended stops and the drive is under 100 miles, you have the flexibility to push through or pull over as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, with an estimated cost of $10 for the trip, and plan for a quick stop if necessary. A specific tip for this route: be aware that the longest stretch without a break is 25.8 miles on the Garden State Parkway, so ensure you're comfortable with that duration before heading out.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 30.8 miles from Allentown, NJ, or about 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.8 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 61.5 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 30.8 miles or 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 10m
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 Allentown, 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 Allentown, NJ
This is one driving day of about 61.5 miles and 1h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Allentown, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 25.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 30.8 mi from Allentown, NJ · 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 61.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 30.8 miles from Allentown, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.20 one way
$20.39 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $11.17 | $22.33 |
| premium | $4.93 | $11.93 | $23.85 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.58 | $27.16 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.75
New Jersey Turnpike
(22.9 mi)
$3.20
Garden State Parkway
(25.8 mi)
$1.55
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
$10
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.5 | 0 | $6.46 | $2.95 |
| Efficient EV | 15.4 | 0 | $5.38 | $2.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.6 | 0 | $8.61 | $3.94 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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.
Destination
Paterson, NJ
Night in Paterson on Tuesday
Local time
10:45 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
3 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
1h 23m 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 Allentown, NJ to Paterson, NJ covers 61.5 miles and takes about 1h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike, Old York Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 30.8 miles from Allentown, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.20 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 61.5 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 31.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Allentown, NJ to Paterson, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Woodbridge along the way.
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