Trip from Lakewood, NJ to Passaic, NJ

Drive Time

1h 27m

Distance

58.8 mi

95 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 20 min
4 AM
1h 21m ★
6 AM
1h 28m
8 AM
1h 41m
10 AM
1h 32m
12 PM
1h 31m
3 PM
1h 33m
5 PM
1h 40m
8 PM
1h 24m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Lakewood, NJ, NJ

Lakewood, NJ

James Kampeis

Downtown Passaic, NJ, NJ

Passaic, NJ

Garrison Gao

Trip Overview

If you are planning to travel from Lakewood to Passaic, you are looking at a 58.8-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 27 minutes. This straightforward trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it does not require an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the Garden State Parkway, US Highway 9, and Bloomfield Avenue. With an estimated fuel cost of just $10, it is an affordable transit option within the Northeast region. Since both cities are located within New Jersey, the drive remains consistent in its regional character, making it a reliable route for those needing to move between these two points efficiently.

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

29.4 miles from Lakewood, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience, as 91% of this drive consists of high-speed transit. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the Garden State Parkway, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 27.6 miles. While the route begins with highway dominance, the transition onto local roads like Bloomfield Avenue provides a shift in pace toward the end of your journey. This is not a winding scenic byway; rather, it is a functional, direct path designed for steady movement. You should anticipate a consistent rhythm behind the wheel, punctuated by the change from open highway lanes to the more localized traffic patterns near your destination.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Garden State Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 27.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and US Highway 9. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 9; CR 547 / Madison Avenue.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 58.8 miles you will encounter 10 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: near the start (US 9; CR 547 / Madison Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.4 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

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

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 9; CR 547 / Madison Avenue

Turn right onto US 9; CR 547 / Madison Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
5
27.4 mi into trip | ~42m in | GSP / Garden State Parkway

Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
8
54.9 mi into trip | ~1h 20m in

Take the exit toward Montclair, Nutley

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 151 Toward Montclair, Nutley
5
56.1 mi into trip | ~1h 23m in | CR 622 / Darling Avenue

Turn left onto CR 622 / Darling Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
58.8 mi into trip | ~1h 27m in | Passaic Avenue

Turn left onto Passaic Avenue

Navigation decision point

Towns Along This Route

Between Lakewood, NJ and Passaic, NJ, road signs point toward Montclair and Nutley.

Montclair

54.9 mi in | ~1h 20m

Nutley

54.9 mi in | ~1h 20m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Garden State Parkway 27.6 mi 38m
US Highway 9 26 mi 38m
Bloomfield Avenue 1.3 mi 2m
Broadway 1 mi 1m
Madison Avenue 1 mi 1m
West Passaic Avenue 0.5 mi <1m
East Passaic Avenue 0.4 mi <1m
Paulison Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Garden State Parkway — 27.6 mi, about 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lakewood, NJ and Passaic, NJ.

1

Start on 8th Street

46 ft · 4 sec · 8th Street
2

Turn right onto US 9; CR 547

1.0 mi · 1 min · Madison Avenue
Use the none lane.
3

Continue on US 9

26 mi · 38 min · US Highway 9
Use the straight lane.
4

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Toward GSP North: Garden State Parkway
5

Merge onto GSP

28 mi · 38 min · Garden State Parkway
Use the none lane.
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Exit 151 Toward Montclair, Nutley Use the slight right lane.
7

Turn right onto CR 655

483 ft · 15 sec · Watchung Avenue
8

At end of road, turn left onto CR 652

0.4 mi · 45 sec · East Passaic Avenue
9

Turn right onto CR 622

0.5 mi · 52 sec · West Passaic Avenue
10

Turn left onto CR 622

411 ft · 7 sec · Darling Avenue
Use the left lane.
11

Continue on CR 622

0.4 mi · 37 sec · Bloomfield Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
12

Enter roundabout onto CR 622

173 ft · 3 sec · Bloomfield Avenue
13

Continue on CR 622

0.5 mi · 52 sec · Bloomfield Avenue
14

Continue on CR 622

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Bloomfield Avenue
15

Continue on CR 622

0.2 mi · 17 sec · Bloomfield Avenue
16

Continue on CR 622

1.0 mi · 1 min · Broadway
17

Turn right onto CR 618

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Paulison Avenue
18

Turn left onto Passaic Avenue

95 ft · 2 sec · Passaic Avenue
19

Arrive at destination

Passaic Avenue

Trip Plan

Because this is a relatively short drive of under an hour and a half, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, given the high percentage of highway travel, try to avoid peak commuting hours to ensure you maintain your estimated 1-hour and 27-minute travel time. Since the trip is short enough to complete without scheduled stops, you can easily power through the entire 58.8 miles in one go. Keep your $10 fuel budget in mind, and ensure your tank is topped off before hitting the Garden State Parkway to avoid unnecessary detours. Staying alert during the transition from the 27.6-mile parkway stretch to the surface streets of Passaic is the best way 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 29.4 miles from Lakewood, NJ, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.6 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 58.8 miles or 1h 27m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 29.4 miles or 45m 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 13m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Passaic, NJ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Lakewood, 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 Lakewood, NJ

This is one driving day of about 58.8 miles and 1h 27m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lakewood, 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 Garden State Parkway for about 27.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 29.4 mi from Lakewood, NJ · 45m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

29 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

New York City, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 58.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 29.4 miles from Lakewood, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Passaic, NJ

The final approach into Passaic, 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 Passaic, 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

$9.73 one way

$19.46 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 21 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $10.65 $21.29
premium $4.92 $11.39 $22.79
diesel $5.64 $13.06 $26.13

Estimated Tolls: $1.65

Garden State Parkway (27.6 mi) $1.65

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

$10

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$36–$61

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 20.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 17.6 0 $6.17 $2.82
Efficient EV 14.7 0 $5.15 $2.35
EV Truck/SUV 23.5 0 $8.23 $3.76

Gas CO2

21 kg

EV CO2

7 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Lakewood, NJ

Late night in Lakewood on Monday

Local time

12:00 AM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Passaic, NJ

Late night in Passaic on Monday

Local time

12:00 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

5 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 27m 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 Lakewood, NJ to Passaic, NJ covers 58.8 miles and takes about 1h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, US Highway 9, Bloomfield Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 29.4 miles from Lakewood, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.73 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 58.8 miles you will encounter 10 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: near the start (US 9; CR 547 / Madison Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.4 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Lakewood, NJ and Passaic, NJ, road signs point toward Montclair and Nutley.

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