Origin
Elwood, NJ
Evening in Elwood on Sunday
Local time
8:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Elwood, NJ to Paterson, NJ
Drive Time
2h 25m
Distance
109.1 mi
176 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 15m
★
6 AM
2h 25m
8 AM
2h 45m
10 AM
2h 32m
12 PM
2h 30m
3 PM
2h 33m
5 PM
2h 44m
8 PM
2h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elwood, NJ
Garrison Gao
Paterson, NJ
Ren Aukeman
Trip Overview
Spanning 109.1 miles across New Jersey, this journey from Elwood to Paterson is a straightforward trip that typically takes 2 hours and 25 minutes. Because the route is compact, it works perfectly as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight lodging. Budgeting approximately $18 for fuel will cover your transit across the Northeast corridor. You will primarily utilize the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, and Trenton Road to navigate between these two points. Since the drive is relatively short, it is an efficient way to cross the state, though you should be prepared for the steady traffic often found on these major thoroughfares.
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
54.6 miles from Elwood, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 74% of your journey takes place on high-speed roads. You will settle into a consistent rhythm behind the wheel, with your longest uninterrupted stretch occurring over 36.9 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike. The character of the road is functional and direct, prioritizing speed over scenic detours. As you transition between the major arteries, the landscape shifts from the southern reaches of the state toward the more densely populated northern areas. It is an efficient, no-nonsense drive that keeps you moving toward your destination without the complexity of technical backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 36.9 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 41.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 109.1 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 41.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
41.4 mi into trip
|
~56m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
8
79 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m 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...
7
79.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m 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
106 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m 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
108.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m 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 Elwood, NJ and Paterson, NJ, road signs point toward New York, Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York City, Gsp and Woodbridge.
New York
24.2 mi in
|
~33m
|
via US 206
Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
40.7 mi in
|
~54m
Njtp North: New York City
41.4 mi in
|
~56m
Gsp
79 mi in
|
~1h 41m
Woodbridge
79 mi in
|
~1h 41m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike | 36.9 mi | 42m |
| Garden State Parkway | 25.8 mi | 35m |
| Trenton Road | 17.6 mi | 23m |
| US 206 | 16.5 mi | 20m |
| White Horse Pike | 6.6 mi | 10m |
| NJ 19 | 1.7 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Grand Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 36.9 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elwood, NJ and Paterson, NJ.
1
Start on CR 623
104 ft
·
11 sec
·
Elwood Road
2
Turn left onto US 30
6.6 mi
·
10 min
·
White Horse Pike
3
Take the exit
201 ft
·
5 sec
Toward US 206 North
4
Merge onto US 206
18 mi
·
23 min
·
Trenton Road
Use the none lane.
5
Enter roundabout onto US 206
498 ft
·
6 sec
·
US 206
Toward US 206 North: Trenton, New York
6
Continue on US 206
7.6 mi
·
10 min
·
US 206
Toward US 206 North: Trenton, New York
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on US 206
8.8 mi
·
10 min
·
US 206
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 Toll, NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
Use the none lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
11
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
37 mi
·
42 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 11
Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward GSP North: Garden State Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto GSP
26 mi
·
35 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the none lane.
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 155A
Toward NJ 19: Paterson
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Merge onto NJ 19
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
NJ 19
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
313 ft
·
7 sec
Toward I 80 West: Grand Street, Del Water Gap
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
Toward Grand Street
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto CR 638
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Grand Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto CR 509
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
Main Street
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto CR 648
453 ft
·
15 sec
·
Market Street
22
Turn left onto Colt Street
42 ft
·
3 sec
·
Colt Street
23
Arrive at destination
Colt Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 25 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though avoiding peak rush hours on the Turnpike and Parkway is always a smart move. Because there are no mandatory stops built into this 109.1-mile route, you can easily complete the drive in one go without needing to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the Turnpike, as steady highway speeds can impact your consumption. Since this is a one-day trip, pack your essentials in the front seat so you don't have to dig through the trunk during your commute. Staying alert during that 36.9-mile stretch on the Turnpike will ensure you navigate the junctions toward Paterson smoothly.
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 54.6 miles from Elwood, NJ, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.9 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 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.6 miles or 1h 13m 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 57m
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 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 109.1 miles and 2h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Elwood, 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 New Jersey Turnpike for about 36.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 54.6 mi from Elwood, NJ · 1h 13m 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 54.6 miles from Elwood, 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
$18.05 one way
$36.11 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $19.75 | $39.51 |
| premium | $4.92 | $21.14 | $42.28 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $24.24 | $48.48 |
Estimated Tolls: $6.71
New Jersey Turnpike
(36.9 mi)
$5.16
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
$18
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.7 | 0 | $11.46 | $5.24 |
| Efficient EV | 27.3 | 0 | $9.55 | $4.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43.6 | 0 | $15.27 | $6.98 |
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.
Destination
Paterson, NJ
Evening in Paterson on Sunday
Local time
8:27 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
22 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 25m 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 Elwood, NJ to Paterson, NJ covers 109.1 miles and takes about 2h 25m 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, Trenton 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 54.6 miles from Elwood, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.05 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 20 significant decision points across 109.1 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 41.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Elwood, NJ and Paterson, NJ, road signs point toward New York, Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York City, Gsp and Woodbridge.
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