Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
19m
Distance
12.7 mi
20 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairview, NJ
Thomas Parker
Passaic, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
This straightforward 12.7-mile drive from Fairview, NJ to Passaic, NJ is designed for a single day, making it an easy addition to any Northeast itinerary. Expect to spend about 19 minutes on the road, covering a relatively short distance that won't break the bank with an estimated fuel cost of just $2. The route utilizes a mix of main roads, including NJ 3, Tonnelle Avenue, and NJ 21, offering a practical connection between these two New Jersey communities. With no specific stops recommended, this trip is all about efficient travel, perfect for when you need to get from point A to point B without fuss.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 19m. Total distance: 12.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (54%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
The drive features a mixed profile, with 54% of the journey taking place on highways. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 5.5 miles on NJ 3, providing a taste of faster-paced travel. As you transition between NJ 3, Tonnelle Avenue, and NJ 21, you'll notice the road's personality shift, moving from more open highway conditions to potentially busier, more urban-influenced stretches. This route offers a dynamic driving experience, balancing speed with the realities of navigating through populated areas.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4 miles in near NJ 3.
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 12.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 19m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4 miles (NJ 3): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Merge onto NJ 3
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward NJ 21: Paterson, Newark
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 21 North, NJ 21 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 21 North: Paterson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Fairview, NJ to Passaic, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Newark along the way.
Newark
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NJ 3 | 5.5 mi | 6m |
| Tonnelle Avenue | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| NJ 21 | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| John F. Kennedy Boulevard | 1 mi | 2m |
| Paulison Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| 76th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Anderson Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| River Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Fairview, NJ and Passaic, NJ.
Start on CR 29
Turn right onto John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Turn right onto 76th Street
Turn left onto US 1; US 9
Take the ramp
Merge onto NJ 3
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto NJ 21
Take the exit
Continue on CR 624
Turn left onto CR 618
Turn right onto Passaic Avenue
Arrive at destination
Regular Gas
$2.11 one way
$4.21 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $2.31 | $4.61 |
| premium | $4.93 | $2.46 | $4.93 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.80 | $5.61 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$2
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.8 | 0 | $1.33 | $0.61 |
| Efficient EV | 3.2 | 0 | $1.11 | $0.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.1 | 0 | $1.78 | $0.81 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Fairview on Friday
Local time
6:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Scattered Rain Showers
Destination
Evening in Passaic on Friday
Local time
6:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
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
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.
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.
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