This 80.8-mile drive from Pemberton, NJ to Paterson, NJ is an easy one-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 46 minutes. With 90% highway travel, it's a straightforward journey focused on getting you to your destination efficiently. The estimated fuel cost is around $13, making it a budget-friendly option for exploring within the Northeast region. Since there are no recommended stops and the drive is relatively short, you'll have plenty of flexibility in your schedule. This route is ideal if you're looking for a quick and uncomplicated transit between two points in New Jersey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.4 miles from Pemberton, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 80.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 80.8-mile journey, with 90% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the New Jersey Turnpike, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 36.9 miles. The overall profile suggests a consistent pace with minimal deviations, allowing for a steady drive. This isn't a route for leisurely sightseeing, but rather for efficient travel. The character remains largely consistent, maintaining highway speeds for most of the trip.
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 36.9 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 50.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.8 miles you will encounter 18 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 50.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
50.7 mi into trip|~1h 3m in
Take the exit toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge
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 11
Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbri...
7
51.2 mi into trip|~1h 4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward GSP North: Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward GSP North: Garden State Parkway
7
77.7 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Take the exit toward NJ 19: Paterson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 155A
Toward NJ 19: Paterson
8
80.1 mi into trip|~1h 45m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Grand Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Grand Street
7
80.3 mi into trip|~1h 45m in|CR 638 / Grand Street
Turn right onto CR 638 / Grand Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Pemberton, NJ and Paterson, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York City, Gsp and Woodbridge.
Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
12.4 mi in|~16m
Njtp North: New York City
13.1 mi in|~18m
Gsp
50.7 mi in|~1h 3m
Woodbridge
50.7 mi in|~1h 3m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
36.9 mi
42m
Garden State Parkway
25.8 mi
35m
US 206
8.7 mi
10m
North Pemberton Road
2.8 mi
4m
NJ 19
1.7 mi
1m
Arney's Mount Road
0.4 mi
<1m
Hanover Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Main Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 36.9 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pemberton, NJ and Paterson, NJ.
1
Start on CR 616
0.3 mi·56 sec·Hanover Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Continue on CR 616
0.1 mi·15 sec·Fort Dix Road
3
Turn slight left onto CR 668
0.4 mi·52 sec·Arney's Mount Road
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto CR 630
2.8 mi·4 min·North Pemberton Road
5
Turn right onto US 206
8.7 mi·10 min·US 206
6
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 Toll, NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
9
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
37 mi·42 min·New Jersey Turnpike
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 11Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, WoodbridgeUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward GSP North: Garden State ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto GSP
26 mi·35 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 155AToward NJ 19: PatersonUse the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Merge onto NJ 19
1.7 mi·1 min·NJ 19
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
313 ft·7 sec
Toward I 80 West: Grand Street, Del Water Gap
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·23 sec
Toward Grand StreetUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Turn right onto CR 638
0.2 mi·27 sec·Grand Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto CR 509
0.3 mi·29 sec·Main Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn right onto CR 648
453 ft·15 sec·Market Street
20
Turn left onto Colt Street
42 ft·3 sec·Colt Street
21
Arrive at destination
Colt Street
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 46-minute duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Leaving early in the morning, perhaps before 8 AM, will help you avoid the heaviest traffic, especially on the New Jersey Turnpike. The drive is short enough that you won't need to plan for extensive stops, but be aware of the longest stretch of 36.9 miles on the Turnpike where you'll want to ensure you have enough fuel before entering it. The $13 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always check local prices. You can easily split this drive if you wish, but its brevity makes it a flexible option.
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 40.4 miles from Pemberton, NJ, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.9 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 18 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.4 miles or 51m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Paterson, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pemberton, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Pemberton, NJ
This is one driving day of about 80.8 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Pemberton, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New Jersey Turnpike for about 36.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40.4 mi from Pemberton, NJ
· 51m into the drive
The midpoint is around 40.4 miles from Pemberton, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Paterson, NJ
The final approach into Paterson, 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.
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
near mile 80.8
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 61.3
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 66.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.40 one way
$26.79 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$14.67
$29.34
premium
$4.93
$15.67
$31.34
diesel
$5.61
$17.84
$35.68
Estimated Tolls: $6.71
New Jersey Turnpike
(36.9 mi)$5.16
Garden State Parkway
(25.8 mi)$1.55
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
$13
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.2
0
$8.48
$3.88
Efficient EV
20.2
0
$7.07
$3.23
EV Truck/SUV
32.3
0
$11.31
$5.17
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Pemberton, NJ
Morning
in Pemberton on Friday
Local time
10:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Paterson, NJ
Morning
in Paterson on Friday
Local time
10:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°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
15 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 46m 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 Pemberton, NJ to Paterson, NJ covers 80.8 miles and takes about 1h 46m 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, 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 40.4 miles from Pemberton, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.40 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 80.8 miles you will encounter 18 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 50.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Pemberton, NJ and Paterson, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York City, Gsp and Woodbridge.
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.
