Origin
Paterson, NJ
Afternoon in Paterson on Friday
Local time
2:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Paterson, NJ to Princeton Meadows, NJ
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 19m
Distance
55.6 mi
90 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 14m
★
6 AM
1h 20m
8 AM
1h 32m
10 AM
1h 24m
12 PM
1h 23m
3 PM
1h 25m
5 PM
1h 32m
8 PM
1h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Paterson, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Princeton Meadows, NJ
Mohan Nannapaneni
Trip Overview
The drive from Paterson, NJ to Princeton Meadows, NJ covers 55.6 miles and takes about 1h 19m 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, New Jersey Turnpike, Dey Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 23.8 miles on Garden State Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $9.22 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 19m. Total distance: 55.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 19m highway drive covering 55.6 miles, with most of the trip on Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike. The longest continuous stretch is about 23.8 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 28 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 New Jersey Turnpike. 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 55.6 miles you will encounter 21 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 21 key pointsThese 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
47.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
|
Exit 8A
Take the exit onto Exit 8A toward NJ 32: Jamesburg, Cranbury
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 8A
Toward NJ 32: Jamesburg, Cranbury
8
48.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CR 535: Cranbury, South Brunswick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CR 535: Cranbury, South Brunswick
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 Princeton Meadows, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp South, Njtp, Philadelphia, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy and Njtp: New York City - among others.
Gsp South
2.8 mi in
|
~4m
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
Cranbury
47.5 mi in
|
~1h 3m
|
via Exit 8A
Cr 535: Cranbury
48.3 mi in
|
~1h 5m
Brunswick
48.3 mi in
|
~1h 5m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 23.8 mi | 33m |
| New Jersey Turnpike | 16.4 mi | 18m |
| Dey Road | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Garden State Parkway Southbound | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| NJ 19 | 2 mi | 2m |
| US 130 | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Forsgate Drive | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Exit 8A | 0.8 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 Princeton Meadows, 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
16 mi
·
18 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
17
Take the exit onto Exit 8A
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Exit 8A
Exit 8A
Toward NJ 32: Jamesburg, Cranbury
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward CR 535: Cranbury, South Brunswick
Use the slight right lane.
19
Turn left onto CR 535
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Cranbury-South River Road
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto NJ 32
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Forsgate Drive
21
Turn left onto US 130
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
US 130
22
Turn right onto CR 614
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Dey Road
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn left onto Scotts Corner Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Scotts Corner Road
24
At end of road, turn right onto Plainsboro Road
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Plainsboro Road
25
Turn right onto Tamarron Drive
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Tamarron Drive
26
Turn right
157 ft
·
13 sec
27
Turn right
285 ft
·
20 sec
28
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 27.8 mi from Paterson, NJ · 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27.8 miles from Paterson, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Princeton Meadows, NJ
The final approach into Princeton Meadows, 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
$9.22 one way
$18.44 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $10.10 | $20.19 |
| premium | $4.93 | $10.78 | $21.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.28 | $24.55 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.87
New Jersey Turnpike
(16.4 mi)
$2.30
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
$9
Tolls
$4
Total
$13
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.7 | 0 | $5.84 | $2.67 |
| Efficient EV | 13.9 | 0 | $4.87 | $2.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.2 | 0 | $7.78 | $3.56 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Destination
Princeton Meadows, NJ
Afternoon in Princeton Meadows on Friday
Local time
2:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°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
10 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 19m 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 Princeton Meadows, NJ covers 55.6 miles and takes about 1h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike, Dey Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 27.8 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 $9.22 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 55.6 miles you will encounter 21 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 Princeton Meadows, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp South, Njtp, Philadelphia, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy and Njtp: New York City - 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.
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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