Drive Time
2h 6m
Distance
109.3 mi
176 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
Photo: Ren Aukeman
The drive from Elwood, NJ to Paterson, NJ covers 109.3 miles and takes about 2h 6m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on White Horse Pike, US 206 North, Trenton Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.58 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
54.7 miles from Elwood, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .
Expect a 2h 6m drive with frequent turns across 109.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| White Horse Pike | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 206 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Trenton Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 95 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 95 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| New Jersey Turnpike | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 9 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| GSP North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Elwood, NJ and Paterson, NJ.
Start on Elwood Road
Turn left onto White Horse Pike
Take the exit slight right toward US 206 North
Merge slight left onto Trenton Road
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward US 206 North: Trenton, New York
Exit the roundabout onto US 206 North: Trenton, New York
Continue straight
Take the exit straight toward I 95 Toll, NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
Merge slight left onto New Jersey Turnpike
Take the exit slight right toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge
Keep slight right to continue on GSP North: Garden State Parkway
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
Take the exit slight left toward NJ 19: Paterson
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West: Grand Street, Del Water Gap
Keep slight right to continue on Grand Street
Turn right onto Grand Street
Turn left onto Main Street
Turn right onto Market Street
Turn left onto Colt Street
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.7 miles or 1h 3m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Paterson, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Elwood, 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 Elwood, NJ
This is one driving day of about 109.3 miles and 2h 6m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 54.7 mi from Elwood, NJ · 1h 3m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
55 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 54.7 miles from Elwood, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$17.58 one way
$35.17 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $19.79 | $39.58 |
| premium | $4.95 | $21.32 | $42.64 |
| diesel | $5.98 | $25.73 | $51.47 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.2 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.8 | 0 | $11.48 | $5.25 |
| Efficient EV | 27.3 | 0 | $9.56 | $4.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43.7 | 0 | $15.30 | $7.00 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Elwood on Saturday
Local time
11:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Paterson on Saturday
Local time
11:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
59°F
Staten Island, NY
55 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Elwood, NJ or browse trips ending in Paterson, NJ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NJ road trips.
Explore maps for Elwood, NJ or Paterson, NJ on MapSof.net.
