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Trip from Paterson, NJ to Allentown, NJ

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

1h 27m

Distance

64.7 mi

104 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$11

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 20m ★
6 AM
1h 27m
8 AM
1h 41m
10 AM
1h 32m
12 PM
1h 30m
3 PM
1h 32m
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.

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

Paterson, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Allentown, NJ, NJ

Allentown, NJ

James Kampeis

Trip Overview

This 64.7-mile trip from Paterson, NJ, to Allentown, NJ, is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 27 minutes. Primarily utilizing the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway Southbound, this route is heavily highway-focused, making it ideal for a single-day excursion. With an estimated fuel cost of just $11, it's an economical option for a quick getaway or a necessary commute. Both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region, so you'll remain in familiar territory throughout your journey. This drive offers a practical and efficient way to travel between these two New Jersey locales.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 27m. Total distance: 64.7 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 (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 92% of the drive taking place on major roadways. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 29.4 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike, offering a consistent pace. The journey begins with significant time on the New Jersey Turnpike before transitioning to the Garden State Parkway Southbound. This character means you'll likely experience consistent speeds and relatively few traffic interruptions, characteristic of a dedicated highway drive. The road primarily offers efficient travel rather than scenic detours.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 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 29.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 29.4 miles in near Exit 129.

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 64.7 miles you will encounter 20 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 29.4 miles (Exit 129): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

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

8
29.4 mi into trip | ~41m in | Exit 129

Take the exit onto Exit 129 toward I 95, NJTP, US 9, NJ 440, I 287: New York City, Philadelphia, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy

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 129 Toward I 95, NJTP, US 9, NJ 440, I 287: New Yor...
8
29.8 mi into trip | ~42m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Philadelphia

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Philadelphia
9
30.4 mi into trip | ~43m in

Keep slight left 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 lane. Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
8
60.4 mi into trip | ~1h 18m in

Take the exit toward I 195: Trenton, Shore Points

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 7A Toward I 195: Trenton, Shore Points
8
63.7 mi into trip | ~1h 25m in

Take the exit toward CR 539: Hightstown, Allentown

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 8 Toward CR 539: Hightstown, Allentown

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Paterson, NJ and Allentown, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp, Philadelphia, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy, Njtp: New York City and Njtp South: Trenton - among others.

Njtp

29.4 mi in | ~41m | via Exit 129

Philadelphia

29.4 mi in | ~41m | via Exit 129

Woodbridge

29.4 mi in | ~41m | via Exit 129

Perth Amboy

29.4 mi in | ~41m | via Exit 129

Njtp: New York City

29.8 mi in | ~42m

Njtp South: Trenton

30.4 mi in | ~43m

Shore Points

60.4 mi in | ~1h 18m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New Jersey Turnpike 29.4 mi 33m
Garden State Parkway 23.8 mi 33m
Garden State Parkway Southbound 2.3 mi 3m
NJ 19 2 mi 2m
Central Jersey Expressway 1.9 mi 2m
North Main Street 0.8 mi 1m
Exit 129 0.3 mi <1m
Ward Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: New Jersey Turnpike — 29.4 mi, about 33m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Colt Street

216 ft · 17 sec · Colt Street
2

Turn right onto Ellison Street

0.2 mi · 28 sec · Ellison Street
3

Turn right onto Memorial Drive

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Memorial Drive
Use the right lane.
4

Turn right

267 ft · 9 sec
5

Turn straight onto Ward Street

0.3 mi · 34 sec · Ward Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6

Continue on NJ 19

0.2 mi · 17 sec · Oliver Street
7

Turn slight left onto NJ 19

2.0 mi · 2 min · NJ 19
Use the slight left lane.
8

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward GSP South Use the slight left lane.
9

Merge onto GSP

24 mi · 33 min · Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10

Continue on Garden State Parkway

2.3 mi · 3 min · Garden State Parkway Southbound
11

Take the exit onto Exit 129

0.3 mi · 42 sec · Exit 129
Exit 129 Toward I 95, NJTP, US 9, NJ 440, I 287: New York City, Philadelphia, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 57 sec
Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Philadelphia Use the slight left lane.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec
14

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton Use the slight left lane.
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Use the slight left lane.
16

Merge onto I 95; NJTP

29 mi · 33 min · New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 3 min
Exit 7A Toward I 195: Trenton, Shore Points Use the slight right lane.
18

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward I 195 East: Shore Points Use the slight right lane.
19

Merge onto I 195

1.9 mi · 2 min · Central Jersey Expressway
20

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 21 sec
Exit 8 Toward CR 539: Hightstown, Allentown Use the slight right lane.
21

Keep slight right at fork

282 ft · 8 sec
Toward Allentown Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
22

Turn straight onto CR 524; CR 539

0.8 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
23

Turn sharp left onto CR 526

147 ft · 3 sec · Waker Street
24

Turn left onto Maiden Lane

21 ft · 0 sec · Maiden Lane
25

Arrive at destination

Maiden Lane

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 32.4 mi from Paterson, NJ · 46m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

32 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

Staten Island, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 32.4 miles from Paterson, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Allentown, NJ

The final approach into Allentown, 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

$10.73 one way

$21.45 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 23 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $11.75 $23.50
premium $4.93 $12.55 $25.10
diesel $5.61 $14.28 $28.57

Estimated Tolls: $5.68

New Jersey Turnpike (29.4 mi) $4.11
Garden State Parkway (26.1 mi) $1.57

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

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$11

Tolls

$6

Total

$16

Estimated CO2 emission: 22.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 19.4 0 $6.79 $3.11
Efficient EV 16.2 0 $5.66 $2.59
EV Truck/SUV 25.9 0 $9.06 $4.14

Gas CO2

23 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (65% 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

Paterson, NJ

Night in Paterson on Thursday

Local time

10:18 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Allentown, NJ

Night in Allentown on Thursday

Local time

10:18 PM

EDT

Current temp

45°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 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 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 Paterson, NJ to Allentown, NJ covers 64.7 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, Garden State Parkway, Garden State Parkway Southbound. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 32.4 miles from Paterson, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.73 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 64.7 miles you will encounter 20 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 29.4 miles (Exit 129): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Paterson, NJ and Allentown, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp, Philadelphia, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy, Njtp: New York City and Njtp South: Trenton - among others.
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.

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Return Trip

Allentown, NJ to Paterson, NJ

Plan the drive back the other way.

61.5 mi 1h 23m

Explore more options from Paterson, NJ or browse trips ending in Allentown, NJ.

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