This 97.4-mile drive from Paterson, NJ, to Audubon, NJ, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes. The route is heavily highway-focused, with 93% of the journey on major roads, including the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. With an estimated fuel cost of $16, this is an economical option for exploring within the Northeast region. Given its relatively short duration and primarily highway nature, you can expect a straightforward transit experience. It's a practical choice if you're looking to cover ground efficiently between these two New Jersey locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
48.7 miles from Paterson, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
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Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 97.4-mile journey, with 93% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 55.9 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike, offering a consistent pace. While the profile is largely highway, the transition between these main arteries like the Garden State Parkway and I-295 will define the driving experience. This route prioritizes directness over winding local roads, making it a dependable transit corridor.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 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 55.9 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
166 ft46 ft
Total Climb
229 ft
Total Descent
256 ft
Highest Point
166 ft
~7 mi in
Elevation Range
120 ft
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.
Route Complexity10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 97.4 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 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 25 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
7
87.4 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 73 North: Camden
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 73 North: Camden
8
94.8 mi into trip|~1h 59m in
Take the exit toward US 30: Barrington, Haddon Heights, Collingswood
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 29
Toward US 30: Barrington, Haddon Heights, Colli...
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 Audubon, 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
Njtp South: Camden
70.1 mi in|~1h 30m|via NJTP
Wilmington
70.1 mi in|~1h 30m|via NJTP
Camden
86.9 mi in|~1h 49m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
55.9 mi
1h 4m
Garden State Parkway
23.8 mi
33m
I 295
6.4 mi
7m
Garden State Parkway Southbound
2.3 mi
3m
NJ 19
2 mi
2m
White Horse Pike
1.2 mi
2m
Wyoming Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
NJ 73
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 55.9 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paterson, NJ and Audubon, 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 SouthUse 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 129Toward I 95, NJTP, US 9, NJ 440, I 287: New York City, Philadelphia, Woodbridge, Perth AmboyUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·57 sec
Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, PhiladelphiaUse 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: TrentonUse 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
39 mi·45 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP
17 mi·19 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Toward NJTP South: Camden, Wilmington
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·55 sec
Exit 4Toward NJ 73: Mount Laurel, Camden
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward NJ 73 North: CamdenUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto NJ 73
0.5 mi·42 sec·NJ 73
Use the slight right lane.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 295 South: Delaware Memorial Bridge
22
Merge onto I 295
6.4 mi·7 min·I 295
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 29Toward US 30: Barrington, Haddon Heights, CollingswoodUse the slight right lane.
24
Turn left onto CR 666
118 ft·2 sec·Copley Road
25
Continue on CR 666
0.2 mi·19 sec·Copley Road
26
Turn right onto US 30
1.2 mi·2 min·White Horse Pike
Use the right lane.
27
Turn left onto CR 551 Spur
0.4 mi·37 sec·Kings Highway
Use the left lane.
28
Turn right onto CR 653
0.5 mi·1 min·Wyoming Avenue
29
Turn right onto West Graisbury Avenue
469 ft·20 sec·West Graisbury Avenue
30
Arrive at destination
West Graisbury Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour, 97.4-mile trip, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Since it's a single-day drive with a fuel cost around $16, planning for one stop for fuel or a quick break is sufficient. Keep an eye out for traffic patterns, especially around the New Jersey Turnpike, which hosts the longest stretch of your drive. The direct highway nature means you can maintain a steady speed, but always be mindful of posted limits and potential congestion as you approach your destination in Audubon.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 48.7 miles from Paterson, NJ, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.9 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 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.7 miles or 1h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Audubon, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Paterson, 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 Paterson, NJ
This is one driving day of about 97.4 miles and 2h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Paterson, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on New Jersey Turnpike for about 55.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 48.7 mi from Paterson, NJ
· 1h 5m into the drive
The midpoint is around 48.7 miles from Paterson, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Audubon, NJ
The final approach into Audubon, 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 Audubon, NJ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Silk cloth and steam locomotives; textiles and continuous paper rolls; firearms and aircraft engines. What do these things have in common? All were manufactured in the same place - Paterson, NJ. In 17...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
Caution: Limited Amphitheater Accessibility
Caution: Overlook Park Parking Lot - Vehicles Must Be Parked in a Designated Spot
Today, the brick buildings on Main Street in West Orange, NJ seem quiet, betraying little evidence of the research, development, and innovation of their heyday. Visitors can step back in time to Thoma...
Morristown National Historical Park commemorates the sites of General Washington and the Continental Army’s winter encampment from December 1779 to June 1780, where soldiers survived the coldest winte...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 20.2
Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 16.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.15 one way
$32.30 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$17.69
$35.37
premium
$4.93
$18.89
$37.78
diesel
$5.61
$21.50
$43.01
Estimated Tolls: $9.40
New Jersey Turnpike
(55.9 mi)$7.83
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.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.2
0
$10.23
$4.68
Efficient EV
24.4
0
$8.52
$3.90
EV Truck/SUV
39
0
$13.64
$6.23
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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 data refreshed 1 hour ago
Origin
Paterson, NJ
Evening
in Paterson on Tuesday
Local time
6:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 12 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Audubon, NJ
Evening
in Audubon on Tuesday
Local time
6:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°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
42 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
2h 5m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 Audubon, NJ covers 97.4 miles and takes about 2h 5m 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, I 295. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 48.7 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 $16.15 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 is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 97.4 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 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 Audubon, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp, Philadelphia, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy, Njtp: New York City and Njtp South: Trenton - among others.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 46 ft to 166 ft elevation with about 229 ft of total climbing.
