Embark on a straightforward 76-mile journey from Florence, NJ, to Paterson, NJ, that's best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 1 hour and 39 minutes. This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 92% of the route utilizing major arteries like I-95, the Garden State Parkway, and the New Jersey Turnpike Pennsylvania Extension. Expect a fuel cost of around $13 for this trip. Given its relatively short duration and efficient highway profile, this route is ideal for a quick transfer between locations within the Northeast region, requiring no overnight stays. It's a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38 miles from Florence, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 47m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 39m. Total distance: 76 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This 76-mile drive is characterized by its heavy reliance on major highways, making it a highway-focused experience for nearly its entire duration. With 92% of the route on interstates and parkways, you'll encounter fast-paced travel for the majority of your trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 39.8 miles on I-95, offering a consistent pace. While the profile suggests a straightforward drive, be prepared for the typical traffic patterns associated with these busy New Jersey corridors as you progress towards Paterson.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 39.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Garden State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 45.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 76 miles you will encounter 17 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: at 45.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
45.9 mi into trip|~56m 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
46.3 mi into trip|~57m 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
72.9 mi into trip|~1h 34m 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
75.3 mi into trip|~1h 38m 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
7
75.4 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|CR 638 / Grand Street
Turn right onto CR 638 / Grand Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Florence, NJ and Paterson, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp and Woodbridge.
Gsp
45.9 mi in|~56m
Woodbridge
45.9 mi in|~56m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
39.8 mi
45m
Garden State Parkway
25.8 mi
35m
New Jersey Turnpike Pennsylvania Extension
2.6 mi
2m
NJ 19
1.7 mi
1m
East Delaware Avenue
1 mi
1m
East Front Street
0.6 mi
1m
Burlington-Bordentown Road
0.4 mi
<1m
Main Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 39.8 mi, about 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Florence, NJ and Paterson, NJ.
1
Start on Broad Street
0.2 mi·43 sec·Broad Street
2
Turn right onto CR 656
0.6 mi·1 min·East Front Street
3
Continue on CR 656
1.0 mi·1 min·East Delaware Avenue
4
Turn right onto US 130
0.4 mi·37 sec·Burlington-Bordentown Road
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 Toll, NJTP Toll, PATP: New Jersey Turnpike
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City, Camden
7
Merge onto I 95
2.6 mi·2 min·New Jersey Turnpike Pennsylvania Extension
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
40 mi·45 min·I 95
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 11Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, WoodbridgeUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward GSP North: Garden State ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto GSP
26 mi·35 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 155AToward NJ 19: PatersonUse the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Merge onto NJ 19
1.7 mi·1 min·NJ 19
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
313 ft·7 sec
Toward I 80 West: Grand Street, Del Water Gap
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·23 sec
Toward Grand StreetUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Turn right onto CR 638
0.2 mi·27 sec·Grand Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto CR 509
0.3 mi·29 sec·Main Street
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto CR 648
453 ft·15 sec·Market Street
19
Turn left onto Colt Street
42 ft·3 sec·Colt Street
20
Arrive at destination
Colt Street
Trip Plan
For this 1-hour and 39-minute drive, consider departing outside of peak commuting hours to maximize efficiency, especially as you'll be navigating busy New Jersey highways. With a fuel cost estimate of $13, planning for refueling before you start is a good idea, though the relatively short distance means you likely won't need extensive stops. Since this is a single-day trip covering 76 miles, flexibility is key; you can easily adjust your departure time. Keep an eye on traffic conditions, particularly as you approach the more urban areas of Paterson, to ensure a smooth arrival.
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 38 miles from Florence, NJ, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.8 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 17 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38 miles or 47m 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 23m
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 Florence, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Florence, NJ
This is one driving day of about 76 miles and 1h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Florence, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 39.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 38 mi from Florence, NJ
· 47m into the drive
The midpoint is around 38 miles from Florence, 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.
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.
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 76
Caution: Limited Amphitheater Accessibility
Caution: Overlook Park Parking Lot - Vehicles Must Be Parked in a Designated Spot
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...
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 57.7
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...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 62.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.60 one way
$25.20 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$13.80
$27.60
premium
$4.93
$14.74
$29.48
diesel
$5.61
$16.78
$33.56
Estimated Tolls: $1.92
Garden State Parkway
(25.8 mi)$1.55
New Jersey Turnpike
(2.6 mi)$0.37
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
$13
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.8
0
$7.98
$3.65
Efficient EV
19
0
$6.65
$3.04
EV Truck/SUV
30.4
0
$10.64
$4.86
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (67% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Florence, NJ
Morning
in Florence on Friday
Local time
8:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Paterson, NJ
Morning
in Paterson on Friday
Local time
8:11 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
11 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
1h 39m 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 Florence, NJ to Paterson, NJ covers 76 miles and takes about 1h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike Pennsylvania Extension. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 38 miles from Florence, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.60 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 76 miles you will encounter 17 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: at 45.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Florence, NJ and Paterson, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp and Woodbridge.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Morristown National Historical Park. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
