Origin
Northfield, NJ
Night in Northfield on Sunday
Local time
9:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Northfield, NJ to Paterson, NJ
Drive Time
2h 36m
Distance
125.2 mi
201 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 26m
★
6 AM
2h 37m
8 AM
2h 57m
10 AM
2h 44m
12 PM
2h 42m
3 PM
2h 45m
5 PM
2h 56m
8 PM
2h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Paterson, NJ
Ren Aukeman
Trip Overview
Traveling from Northfield to Paterson is a straightforward 125.2-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 36 minutes. Because this trip is comfortably manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. Budgeting around $21 for fuel will cover your gas needs for the drive. You will primarily utilize the Garden State Parkway to navigate through the Northeast region of New Jersey. Whether you are traveling for business or a personal visit, this highway-focused route is designed for efficiency rather than leisure. It serves as a reliable link between the southern and northern parts of the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
62.6 miles from Northfield, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient transit, as 96% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend the vast majority of your time—roughly 119 miles—on the Garden State Parkway, which keeps the experience consistent and fast-paced. While the journey begins on local roads like Tilton Road, you will quickly transition into a long, uninterrupted stretch of interstate travel. Upon nearing your destination, you will exit the Parkway and navigate via NJ 19 to reach Paterson. The personality of this drive is strictly utilitarian, prioritizing speed and direct access over varied terrain or technical driving conditions.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 119 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Tilton Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near CR 563 / Tilton Road.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 125.2 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 0.1 miles (CR 563 / Tilton Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 19.7 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CR 563 / Tilton Road
Turn right onto CR 563 / Tilton Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
19.7 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
GSP / Garden State Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
122.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m 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
124.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m 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
124.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m in
|
CR 638 / Grand Street
Turn right onto CR 638 / Grand Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 119 mi | 2h 25m |
| Tilton Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| NJ 19 | 1.7 mi | 1m |
| Fire Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Black Horse Pike | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Grand Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Zion Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 119 mi, about 2h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Northfield, NJ and Paterson, NJ.
1
Start on CR 615
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Zion Road
2
Turn right onto CR 563
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Tilton Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn right onto CR 651
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
Fire Road
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto US 40; US 322
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Black Horse Pike
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward GSP Toll North
6
Merge onto GSP
17 mi
·
19 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the none lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
50 mi
·
58 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
31 sec
9
Continue on GSP
52 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 155A
Toward NJ 19: Paterson
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Merge onto NJ 19
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
NJ 19
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
313 ft
·
7 sec
Toward I 80 West: Grand Street, Del Water Gap
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
Toward Grand Street
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto CR 638
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Grand Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn left onto CR 509
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
Main Street
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn right onto CR 648
453 ft
·
15 sec
·
Market Street
17
Turn left onto Colt Street
42 ft
·
3 sec
·
Colt Street
18
Arrive at destination
Colt Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though you should factor in potential traffic density during peak commuting hours. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs, as the 2-hour and 36-minute duration can feel taxing during heavy congestion. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the Garden State Parkway to ensure you don't have to navigate off-route for gas. A smart strategy is to check real-time traffic reports for the Parkway before you leave Northfield, as this long corridor is prone to sudden slowdowns. By staying alert to these highway conditions, you can make the most of your efficient, one-day transit.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 62.6 miles from Northfield, NJ, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119 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 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.6 miles or 1h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 6m
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 Northfield, 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 Northfield, NJ
This is one driving day of about 125.2 miles and 2h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Northfield, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 119 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 62.6 mi from Northfield, NJ · 1h 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
63 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 62.6 miles from Northfield, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Garden State Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 119 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.72 one way
$41.43 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
44 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $22.67 | $45.34 |
| premium | $4.92 | $24.26 | $48.52 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $27.82 | $55.63 |
Estimated Tolls: $7.14
Garden State Parkway
(119 mi)
$7.14
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
$21
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.6 | 0 | $13.15 | $6.01 |
| Efficient EV | 31.3 | 0 | $10.96 | $5.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.1 | 0 | $17.53 | $8.01 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Night in Paterson on Sunday
Local time
9:34 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
1 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
2h 36m 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 Northfield, NJ to Paterson, NJ covers 125.2 miles and takes about 2h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, Tilton Road, 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 62.6 miles from Northfield, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.72 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 125.2 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 0.1 miles (CR 563 / Tilton Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 19.7 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Northfield, NJ to Paterson, NJ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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