Origin
Passaic, NJ
Night in Passaic on Thursday
Local time
10:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Passaic, NJ to Columbus, NJ
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 27m
Distance
67.6 mi
109 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 21m
★
6 AM
1h 27m
8 AM
1h 41m
10 AM
1h 32m
12 PM
1h 31m
3 PM
1h 33m
5 PM
1h 40m
8 PM
1h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Passaic, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Columbus, NJ
Garrison Gao
Trip Overview
The drive from Passaic, NJ to Columbus, NJ covers 67.6 miles and takes about 1h 27m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on New Jersey Turnpike, NJ 21, US 206 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 47.3 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.21 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 27m. Total distance: 67.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 27m highway drive covering 67.6 miles, with most of the trip on New Jersey Turnpike and NJ 21. The longest continuous stretch is about 47.3 miles on New Jersey Turnpike.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
New Jersey Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 47.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and NJ 21. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near NJ 21.
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 67.6 miles you will encounter 15 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 0.7 miles (NJ 21): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
NJ 21
Merge onto NJ 21
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
14.9 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
6
15 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
8
62.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m in
Take the exit toward US 206: Bordentown, Trenton
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 7
Toward US 206: Bordentown, Trenton
7
63.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 206 South: Joint Base MDL
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 206 South: Joint Base MDL
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Passaic, NJ and Columbus, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp South: Trenton and Trenton.
Njtp South: Trenton
14.9 mi in
|
~23m
Trenton
62.7 mi in
|
~1h 19m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike | 47.3 mi | 55m |
| NJ 21 | 11.2 mi | 16m |
| US 206 | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| US 1 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| NJ 81 | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Paulison Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Columbus Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Main Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 47.3 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Passaic, NJ and Columbus, NJ.
1
Start on Passaic Avenue
95 ft
·
9 sec
·
Passaic Avenue
2
Turn left onto CR 618
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Paulison Avenue
3
Turn right onto CR 601
508 ft
·
8 sec
·
Main Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward NJ 21 South
5
Merge onto NJ 21
11 mi
·
16 min
·
NJ 21
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto US 1; US 9
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
US 1; US 9
7
Continue on US 1; US 9
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
US 1; US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
9
Continue on NJ 81
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
NJ 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
315 ft
·
7 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
12
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
47 mi
·
55 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 7
Toward US 206: Bordentown, Trenton
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward US 206 South: Joint Base MDL
Use the slight left lane.
15
Merge onto US 206
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
US 206
16
Continue on US 206
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
US 206
17
Take the exit
363 ft
·
10 sec
18
Turn straight onto Railroad Avenue
446 ft
·
17 sec
·
Railroad Avenue
19
Turn left onto CR 543
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Columbus Road
20
Turn right
82 ft
·
6 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 33.8 mi from Passaic, NJ · 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 33.8 miles from Passaic, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Columbus, NJ
The final approach into Columbus, 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
$11.21 one way
$22.41 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $12.27 | $24.55 |
| premium | $4.93 | $13.11 | $26.22 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.93 | $29.85 |
Estimated Tolls: $6.62
New Jersey Turnpike
(47.3 mi)
$6.62
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Tolls
$7
Total
$18
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.3 | 0 | $7.10 | $3.24 |
| Efficient EV | 16.9 | 0 | $5.91 | $2.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27 | 0 | $9.46 | $4.33 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Destination
Columbus, NJ
Night in Columbus on Thursday
Local time
10:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°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
11 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 Passaic, NJ to Columbus, NJ covers 67.6 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 New Jersey Turnpike, NJ 21, US 206. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 33.8 miles from Passaic, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.21 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 67.6 miles you will encounter 15 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 0.7 miles (NJ 21): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Passaic, NJ and Columbus, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp South: Trenton and Trenton.
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