Skip to main content

Trip from Paterson, NJ to Middlebush, NJ

Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology

Drive Time

1h 4m

Distance

45.2 mi

73 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$7

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 16 min
4 AM
0h 59m ★
6 AM
1h 5m
8 AM
1h 15m
10 AM
1h 8m
12 PM
1h 7m
3 PM
1h 9m
5 PM
1h 14m
8 PM
1h 1m

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 Middlebush, NJ, NJ

Middlebush, NJ

Jer Rey

Trip Overview

This 45.2-mile drive from Paterson, NJ, to Middlebush, NJ, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 4 minutes. Designed for a single day, you'll spend most of your time on major highways, with 85% of the journey on the Garden State Parkway and I-287. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $7, making it an economical option for a quick excursion within the Northeast region. Given its short duration and highway focus, it's ideal for a day trip with minimal planning needed.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 4m. Total distance: 45.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

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

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this 45.2-mile journey, with 85% of the route utilizing major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 23.8 miles on the Garden State Parkway, offering a consistent pace. You'll primarily navigate the Garden State Parkway and I-287, with a brief segment on Cedar Grove Lane to complete the drive. This profile suggests a drive characterized by efficient travel rather than varied terrain or scenery.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 23.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and I 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 28.4 miles in.

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 45.2 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 28.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

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

8
28.4 mi into trip | ~40m in

Take the exit toward US 1: Newark, 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 130B-A Toward US 1: Newark, Trenton
9
28.7 mi into trip | ~40m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 1 South: Trenton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 130B Toward US 1 South: Trenton
7
31.2 mi into trip | ~44m in

Take the exit toward I 287 North: Morristown, Mahwah

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 287 North: Morristown, Mahwah
8
40.7 mi into trip | ~56m in

Take the exit toward CR 527: Easton Avenue, New Brunswick, South Bound Brook

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 10 Toward CR 527: Easton Avenue, New Brunswick, So...
9
40.8 mi into trip | ~56m in

Keep slight left at fork toward CR 527 South: Easton Avenue, New Brunswick

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

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward CR 527 South: Easton Avenue, New Brunswi...

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 Middlebush, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp South, Trenton, Mahwah, New Brunswick and Bound Brook.

Gsp South

2.8 mi in | ~4m

Trenton

28.4 mi in | ~40m

Mahwah

31.2 mi in | ~44m

New Brunswick

40.7 mi in | ~56m

Bound Brook

40.7 mi in | ~56m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Garden State Parkway 23.8 mi 33m
I 287 9.1 mi 10m
Cedar Grove Lane 3.1 mi 5m
US 1 2.2 mi 3m
NJ 19 2 mi 2m
Garden State Parkway Southbound 1.3 mi 1m
Easton Avenue 0.6 mi 1m
Amwell Road 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Garden State Parkway — 23.8 mi, about 33m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Paterson, NJ and Middlebush, 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

1.3 mi · 1 min · Garden State Parkway Southbound
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 130B-A Toward US 1: Newark, Trenton Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Exit 130B Toward US 1 South: Trenton Use the slight right lane.
13

Merge onto US 1

0.1 mi · 12 sec · US 1
14

Continue on US 1

2.1 mi · 3 min · US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 59 sec
Toward I 287 North: Morristown, Mahwah Use the slight right lane.
16

Merge onto I 287

9.1 mi · 10 min · I 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Exit 10 Toward CR 527: Easton Avenue, New Brunswick, South Bound Brook Use the slight right lane.
18

Keep slight left at fork

509 ft · 12 sec
Toward CR 527 South: Easton Avenue, New Brunswick Use the straight / slight left lanes.
19

Continue on CR 527

0.6 mi · 1 min · Easton Avenue
20

Turn right onto CR 619

3.1 mi · 5 min · Cedar Grove Lane
Use the right lane.
21

Turn left onto CR 514

0.6 mi · 1 min · Amwell Road
22

Turn right onto Olcott Street

40 ft · 1 sec · Olcott Street
23

Arrive at destination

Olcott Street

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 22.6 mi from Paterson, NJ · 32m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

23 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 22.6 miles from Paterson, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Middlebush, NJ

The final approach into Middlebush, 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

$7.49 one way

$14.99 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 16 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $8.21 $16.41
premium $4.93 $8.77 $17.53
diesel $5.61 $9.98 $19.96

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

$7

Tolls

$2

Total

$9

Estimated CO2 emission: 15.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 13.6 0 $4.75 $2.17
Efficient EV 11.3 0 $3.96 $1.81
EV Truck/SUV 18.1 0 $6.33 $2.89

Gas CO2

16 kg

EV CO2

5 kg (69% 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

Late night in Paterson on Friday

Local time

2:17 AM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Middlebush, NJ

Late night in Middlebush on Friday

Local time

2:17 AM

EDT

Current temp

44°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

17 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 4m 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 Middlebush, NJ covers 45.2 miles and takes about 1h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, I 287, Cedar Grove Lane. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 22.6 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 $7.49 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 45.2 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 28.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Paterson, NJ and Middlebush, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp South, Trenton, Mahwah, New Brunswick and Bound Brook.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NJ road trips.