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Trip from Monmouth Junction, NJ to Paterson, NJ

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 9m

Distance

47.1 mi

76 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$8

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 16 min
4 AM
1h 4m ★
6 AM
1h 9m
8 AM
1h 20m
10 AM
1h 13m
12 PM
1h 12m
3 PM
1h 14m
5 PM
1h 20m
8 PM
1h 6m

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

Downtown Monmouth Junction, NJ, NJ

Monmouth Junction, NJ

Alexa V. Mato

city in and the county seat of Passaic County, New Jersey, United States

Paterson, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Monmouth Junction, NJ to Paterson, NJ covers 47.1 miles and takes about 1h 9m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Garden State Parkway, US 1, NJ 19 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 25.1 miles on Garden State Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.81 one way before food or hotel costs.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 9m. Total distance: 47.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 1h 9m highway drive covering 47.1 miles, with most of the trip on Garden State Parkway and US 1. The longest continuous stretch is about 25.1 miles on Garden State Parkway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 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 25.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and US 1. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.2 miles in near US 1.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 47.1 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 8.2 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.3 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 44 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.

7
8.2 mi into trip | ~13m in | US 1

Keep slight left at fork onto US 1 toward Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|New...
7
8.3 mi into trip | ~13m in | US 1

Keep slight left at fork onto US 1

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
44 mi into trip | ~1h 4m 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
46.4 mi into trip | ~1h 7m 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
46.6 mi into trip | ~1h 7m 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 Monmouth Junction, NJ and Paterson, NJ, road signs point toward Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|Newark and New Brunswick.

Newark|Newark

8.2 mi in | ~13m | via US 1

Camden

8.2 mi in | ~13m | via US 1

New Brunswick|Newark

8.2 mi in | ~13m | via US 1

New Brunswick

8.2 mi in | ~13m | via US 1

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Garden State Parkway 25.1 mi 34m
US 1 17 mi 25m
NJ 19 1.7 mi 1m
New Road 1.4 mi 3m
Main Street 0.3 mi <1m
Grand Street 0.2 mi <1m
Market Street <0.1 mi <1m
Ridge Road <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Garden State Parkway — 25.1 mi, about 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Monmouth Junction, NJ and Paterson, NJ.

1

Start on Ridge Road

46 ft · 5 sec · Ridge Road
2

Turn left onto New Road

1.4 mi · 3 min · New Road
3

Turn right onto US 1

6.7 mi · 9 min · US 1
4

Keep slight left at fork onto US 1

0.1 mi · 9 sec · US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Keep slight left at fork onto US 1

504 ft · 7 sec · US 1
Toward Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick
6

Keep slight left at fork onto US 1

366 ft · 5 sec · US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto US 1

2.7 mi · 3 min · US 1
8

Continue on US 1

1.0 mi · 1 min · US 1
9

Continue on US 1

0.2 mi · 16 sec · US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on US 1

0.2 mi · 19 sec · US 1
Use the right lane.
11

Continue on US 1

5.9 mi · 9 min · US 1
Use the straight / right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Toward GSP Toll North: Garden State Parkway
13

Merge onto GSP

25 mi · 34 min · Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
14

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 155A Toward NJ 19: Paterson Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15

Merge onto NJ 19

1.7 mi · 1 min · NJ 19
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

313 ft · 7 sec
Toward I 80 West: Grand Street, Del Water Gap
17

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 23 sec
Toward Grand Street Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
18

Turn right onto CR 638

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Grand Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
19

Turn left onto CR 509

0.3 mi · 29 sec · Main Street
Use the straight lane.
20

Turn right onto CR 648

453 ft · 15 sec · Market Street
21

Turn left onto Colt Street

42 ft · 3 sec · Colt Street
22

Arrive at destination

Colt Street

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 23.6 mi from Monmouth Junction, NJ · 36m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

24 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 Brunswick, NJ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 23.6 miles from Monmouth Junction, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$7.81 one way

$15.62 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 17 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $8.55 $17.10
premium $4.93 $9.13 $18.27
diesel $5.61 $10.40 $20.80

Estimated Tolls: $1.51

Garden State Parkway (25.1 mi) $1.51

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$8

Tolls

$2

Total

$9

Estimated CO2 emission: 16.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 14.1 0 $4.95 $2.26
Efficient EV 11.8 0 $4.12 $1.88
EV Truck/SUV 18.8 0 $6.59 $3.01

Gas CO2

16 kg

EV CO2

6 kg (63% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Monmouth Junction, NJ

Night in Monmouth Junction on Friday

Local time

10:49 PM

EDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Paterson, NJ

Night in Paterson on Friday

Local time

10:49 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

16 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 9m 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 Monmouth Junction, NJ to Paterson, NJ covers 47.1 miles and takes about 1h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Garden State Parkway, US 1, NJ 19. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 23.6 miles from Monmouth Junction, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.81 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 47.1 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 8.2 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.3 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 44 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Between Monmouth Junction, NJ and Paterson, NJ, road signs point toward Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|Newark and New Brunswick.

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 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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