Browns Mills to Passaic is 73.5 miles and takes about 1 hour 48 minutes via New Jersey Turnpike and NJ 21, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within New Jersey, taking you from the southern part of the state up toward the northeast region. It's a fairly straightforward trip focused on efficient travel, making it a solid option if you need to get from Point A to Point B without much fuss. Expect a practical journey that prioritizes covering ground over leisurely sightseeing.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.8 miles from Browns Mills, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 59m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 48m. Total distance: 73.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (64%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is largely highway-focused, with 64% of the drive utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 33.4 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike, which sets the tone for much of the journey. Expect consistent speeds and a direct path for a good portion of your travel. As you progress, the roads will transition, incorporating NJ 21 and Browns Mills Cookstown Road, offering a slight change in scenery and driving dynamics as you approach your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
New Jersey Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 33.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and NJ 21. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR 545 / Trenton Road.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.5 miles you will encounter 19 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR 545 / Trenton Road): Navigation decision point; at 57.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|CR 545 / Trenton Road
Turn right onto CR 545 / Trenton Road
Navigation decision point
8
57.9 mi into trip|~1h 24m in
Take the exit toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport
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 13A
Toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport
6
59.2 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
61.3 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|NJ 21
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21 toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
8
72.7 mi into trip|~1h 46m in
Take the exit toward River Drive, Passaic
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 11A
Toward River Drive, Passaic
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Browns Mills, NJ and Passaic, NJ, road signs point toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport and Downtown.
Newark Airport
57.9 mi in|~1h 24m
Elizabeth Seaport
57.9 mi in|~1h 24m
Downtown
61.3 mi in|~1h 30m|via NJ 21
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
33.4 mi
39m
NJ 21
11.4 mi
16m
Browns Mills Cookstown Road
4.3 mi
7m
Sharon Station Road
4 mi
8m
Old York Road
3.7 mi
5m
Holmes Mill Road
2.9 mi
5m
US 1
1.7 mi
2m
Evergreen Road
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 33.4 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Browns Mills, NJ and Passaic, NJ.
1
Start on this road
85 ft·8 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto CR 545
187 ft·8 sec·Trenton Road
3
Turn right onto CR 667
0.4 mi·57 sec·Broadway Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on CR 667
0.8 mi·1 min·West Lakeshore Drive
5
Turn right onto CR 667
0.2 mi·31 sec·Bayberry Street
6
Turn left onto CR 667
0.3 mi·35 sec·East Lakeshore Drive
7
Continue on CR 667
4.3 mi·7 min·Browns Mills Cookstown Road
8
Continue on CR 616
0.2 mi·34 sec·Main Street
9
Continue on CR 616
1.3 mi·2 min·Cookstown-New Egypt Road
10
Continue on CR 616
0.6 mi·1 min·Maple Avenue
11
Continue on CR 528
0.2 mi·21 sec·Main Street
12
Turn left onto CR 8
1.4 mi·2 min·Evergreen Road
13
Continue on CR 27
2.9 mi·5 min·Holmes Mill Road
14
Turn right onto CR 27
0.6 mi·1 min·Burlington Path Road
15
Turn left onto CR 539
1.3 mi·1 min·Forked River Road
16
Enter roundabout onto CR 539 ALT
53 ft·0 sec·Sharon Station Road
17
Continue on CR 539 ALT
4.0 mi·8 min·Sharon Station Road
18
Turn left onto Herbert Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Herbert Road
19
Turn right onto CR 539
3.7 mi·5 min·Old York Road
20
Continue on CR 539
0.9 mi·1 min·South Main Street
21
Turn slight right
94 ft·3 sec
22
Turn right onto NJ 33
0.8 mi·1 min·Franklin Street
23
Turn left onto I 95; NJTP
33 mi·39 min·New Jersey Turnpike
24
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 13AToward Newark Airport, Elizabeth SeaportUse the slight right lane.
25
Merge onto NJ 81
0.7 mi·1 min·NJ 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·44 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on US 1; US 9
1.7 mi·2 min·US 1; US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21
11 mi·16 min·NJ 21
Toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, DowntownUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 11AToward River Drive, PassaicUse the slight right lane.
30
Continue on CR 624
350 ft·8 sec·River Drive
31
Turn left onto CR 618
0.5 mi·54 sec·Paulison Avenue
32
Turn right onto Passaic Avenue
95 ft·2 sec·Passaic Avenue
33
Arrive at destination
Passaic Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of about 1 hour 48 minutes, this is easily a same-day trip, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Aim to leave when traffic is typically lighter, perhaps mid-morning or early afternoon, to make the most of the open road. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, you won't need to worry about frequent fill-ups, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Pay close attention to exits for NJ 21 as you get closer to Passaic; these can sometimes be less clearly marked than major highway interchanges.
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 36.8 miles from Browns Mills, NJ, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.4 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 16 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.8 miles or 59m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Passaic, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Browns Mills, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Browns Mills, NJ
This is one driving day of about 73.5 miles and 1h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Browns Mills, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New Jersey Turnpike for about 33.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.8 mi from Browns Mills, NJ
· 59m into the drive
The midpoint is around 42 miles from Browns Mills, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Passaic, NJ
The final approach into Passaic, NJ usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
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.
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...
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 84.1
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...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 66.7
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...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 69.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.19 one way
$24.37 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$13.35
$26.69
premium
$4.93
$14.25
$28.51
diesel
$5.61
$16.23
$32.46
Estimated Tolls: $4.67
New Jersey Turnpike
(33.4 mi)$4.67
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
$12
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.1
0
$7.72
$3.53
Efficient EV
18.4
0
$6.43
$2.94
EV Truck/SUV
29.4
0
$10.29
$4.70
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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 as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Browns Mills, NJ
Morning
in Browns Mills on Saturday
Local time
7:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Cloudy
E 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Passaic, NJ
Morning
in Passaic on Saturday
Local time
7:40 AM
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
9 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 48m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Browns Mills, NJ to Passaic, NJ covers 73.5 miles and takes about 1h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New Jersey Turnpike, NJ 21, Browns Mills Cookstown 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 36.8 miles from Browns Mills, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.19 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.5 miles you will encounter 19 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR 545 / Trenton Road): Navigation decision point; at 57.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Browns Mills, NJ and Passaic, NJ, road signs point toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport and Downtown.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
