Trip from Elmer, NJ to Paterson, NJ

Drive Time

2h 31m

Distance

118 mi

190 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

station data

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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Elmer, NJ

Garrison Gao

Paterson, NJ

Ren Aukeman

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Elmer to Paterson, you are looking at a 118-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 31 minutes to complete. This route is designed as a single-day trip, making it an efficient choice for those who want to reach their destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $20 for fuel to cover the distance. Because you are traveling entirely within the Northeast region of New Jersey, the route stays within a consistent geographic context. It is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that prioritizes speed and directness over secondary roads. Overall, this is a practical trip for travelers who value efficiency and want a reliable way to navigate between these two points.

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

59 miles from Elmer, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a high-speed experience, as 78% of this route consists of major highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, and the Veterans Memorial Highway. The most significant segment is a 64.5-mile stretch on the New Jersey Turnpike, which serves as the core of your journey. Because the route relies so heavily on these major arteries, the experience is largely about maintaining a steady pace through the state’s primary transit corridors. While you will encounter a mix of heavy-traffic infrastructure, the road remains consistent in its highway-focused character from start to finish.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 27 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 64.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.1 miles in near Exit 58.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 118 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 19.1 miles (Exit 58): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 22 key points

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

19.1 mi into trip | ~24m in | Exit 58

Take the exit onto Exit 58 toward Deptford, Almonesson

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 58 Toward Deptford, Almonesson

22.8 mi into trip | ~32m in

Keep slight left at fork toward NJTP North: New York

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward NJTP North: New York

87.8 mi into trip | ~1h 48m in

Take the exit toward GSP, US 9: 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 GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbri...

88.3 mi into trip | ~1h 49m 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

117.3 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

Towns Along This Route

Between Elmer, NJ and Paterson, NJ, road signs point toward Deptford, Almonesson, Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York, Gsp and Woodbridge.

Deptford

19.1 mi in | ~24m | via Exit 58

Almonesson

19.1 mi in | ~24m | via Exit 58

Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike

22.5 mi in | ~32m

Njtp North: New York

22.8 mi in | ~32m

Gsp

87.8 mi in | ~1h 48m

Woodbridge

87.8 mi in | ~1h 48m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
New Jersey Turnpike	64.5 mi	1h 14m
Garden State Parkway	25.8 mi	35m
Veterans Memorial Highway	12.9 mi	15m
Buck Road	4 mi	5m
Harding Highway	1.7 mi	2m
NJ 19	1.7 mi	1m
Black Horse Pike	0.8 mi	1m
West Clements Bridge Road	0.8 mi	1m

Longest stretch: New Jersey Turnpike — 64.5 mi, about 1h 14m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on US 40

431 ft · 7 sec · Front Street

Continue on US 40

1.7 mi · 2 min · Harding Highway

Turn left onto CR 553

4.0 mi · 5 min · Buck Road

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Toward NJ 55 North: Bellmawr Use the left lane.

Merge onto NJ 55

13 mi · 15 min · Veterans Memorial Highway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto Exit 58

0.3 mi · 29 sec · Exit 58

Exit 58 Toward Deptford, Almonesson Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on Deptford Center Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Deptford Center Road

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Turn left onto NJ 41

0.7 mi · 1 min · Hurffville Road

Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on NJ 41; CR 544

0.3 mi · 45 sec · Clements Bridge Road

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 41

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Clements Bridge Road

Turn left onto NJ 168

0.8 mi · 1 min · Black Horse Pike

Use the none lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Toward NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward NJTP North: New York Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto NJTP

23 mi · 26 min · New Jersey Turnpike

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP

41 mi · 47 min · New Jersey Turnpike

Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 11 Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min

Toward GSP North: Garden State Parkway Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto GSP

26 mi · 35 min · Garden State Parkway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Exit 155A Toward NJ 19: Paterson Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto NJ 19

1.7 mi · 1 min · NJ 19

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

313 ft · 7 sec

Toward I 80 West: Grand Street, Del Water Gap

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 23 sec

Toward Grand Street Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto CR 638

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Grand Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto CR 509

0.3 mi · 29 sec · Main Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto CR 648

453 ft · 15 sec · Market Street

Turn left onto Colt Street

42 ft · 3 sec · Colt Street

Arrive at destination

Colt Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a manageable drive of under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning for typical regional traffic patterns is always wise. You will only need to account for one planned stop to keep your trip comfortable and efficient. Because your fuel costs are estimated at $20, it is easy to budget for the entire round trip in advance. Pay close attention to signage when transitioning between the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway to ensure you stay on track during the highway switches. Utilizing that single stop midway through the drive is the best way to keep your energy up before hitting the final stretch into Paterson.

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 59 miles from Elmer, NJ, or about 1h 14m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.5 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 39m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 59 miles or 1h 14m 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 Elmer, 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 Elmer, NJ

This is one driving day of about 118 miles and 2h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Elmer, 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 New Jersey Turnpike for about 64.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 59 mi from Elmer, NJ · 1h 14m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

59 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 59 miles from Elmer, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before New Jersey Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.5 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.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.53 one way

$39.05 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.60	$21.37	$42.73
premium	$4.92	$22.87	$45.73
diesel	$5.64	$26.22	$52.43

Estimated Tolls: $10.58

New Jersey Turnpike (64.5 mi) $9.03

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

$20

Tolls

$11

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 41.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	35.4	$12.39	$5.66
Efficient EV	29.5	$10.33	$4.72
EV Truck/SUV	47.2	$16.52	$7.55

Gas CO2

41 kg

EV CO2

14 kg (66% 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 3 days ago

Origin

Elmer, NJ

Late night in Elmer on Monday

Local time

12:04 AM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Paterson, NJ

Late night in Paterson on Monday

Local time

12:04 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

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 Elmer, NJ to Paterson, NJ covers 118 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 New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, Veterans Memorial Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 59 miles from Elmer, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.53 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.

Between Elmer, NJ and Paterson, NJ, road signs point toward Deptford, Almonesson, Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York, Gsp and Woodbridge.

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Return Trip

Paterson, NJ to Elmer, NJ

Plan the drive back the other way.

119.4 mi 2h 32m

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Trip from Elmer, NJ to Paterson, NJ

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Paterson, NJ

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Elmer, NJ

Paterson, NJ

Same local time

Very similar conditions

2h 31m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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