The drive from Penns Grove, NJ to Passaic, NJ covers 117.7 miles and takes about 2h 26m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on New Jersey Turnpike, NJ 21, I 295 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 88.1 miles on New Jersey Turnpike.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.51 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.9 miles from Penns Grove, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 12m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 26m. Total distance: 117.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 26m highway drive covering 117.7 miles, with most of the trip on New Jersey Turnpike and NJ 21. The longest continuous stretch is about 88.1 miles on New Jersey Turnpike.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 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 88.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and NJ 21. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 117.7 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 9.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
9.4 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward US 322 East: Mullica Hill
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 11A
Toward US 322 East: Mullica Hill
7
13.3 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the exit toward NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
8
102.1 mi into trip|~2h 2m in
Take the exit toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport
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 13A
Toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport
8
105.5 mi into trip|~2h 8m in|NJ 21
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21 toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
8
116.9 mi into trip|~2h 25m in
Take the exit toward River Drive, Passaic
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 11A
Toward River Drive, Passaic
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Penns Grove, NJ and Passaic, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike, Nj Turnpike North, New York City, Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport and Downtown.
Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
13.3 mi in|~18m
Nj Turnpike North
13.5 mi in|~19m
New York City
13.5 mi in|~19m
Newark Airport
102.1 mi in|~2h 2m
Elizabeth Seaport
102.1 mi in|~2h 2m
Downtown
105.5 mi in|~2h 8m|via NJ 21
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
88.1 mi
1h 42m
NJ 21
11.4 mi
16m
I 295
7.3 mi
8m
US 322
3.7 mi
6m
US 1
1.7 mi
2m
Harding Highway
1.6 mi
2m
NJ 81
0.7 mi
1m
Paulison Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 88.1 mi, about 1h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Penns Grove, NJ and Passaic, NJ.
1
Start on CR 675
0.3 mi·48 sec·East Main Street
2
Continue on NJ 48
1.6 mi·2 min·Harding Highway
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 295 North
4
Merge onto I 295
7.3 mi·8 min·I 295
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 11AToward US 322 East: Mullica HillUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto US 322; CR 536
3.7 mi·6 min·US 322; CR 536
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward NJTP Toll: New Jersey TurnpikeUse the right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ Turnpike North, New York City
9
Merge onto NJTP
36 mi·41 min·New Jersey Turnpike
10
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP
52 mi·1 hr·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 13AToward Newark Airport, Elizabeth SeaportUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto NJ 81
0.7 mi·1 min·NJ 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·44 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 1; US 9
1.7 mi·2 min·US 1; US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21
11 mi·16 min·NJ 21
Toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, DowntownUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 11AToward River Drive, PassaicUse the slight right lane.
17
Continue on CR 624
350 ft·8 sec·River Drive
18
Turn left onto CR 618
0.5 mi·54 sec·Paulison Avenue
19
Turn right onto Passaic Avenue
95 ft·2 sec·Passaic Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
Passaic Avenue
Trip Plan
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 58.9 miles from Penns Grove, NJ, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.1 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 26 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.9 miles or 1h 12m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Passaic, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Penns Grove, 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 Penns Grove, NJ
This is one driving day of about 117.7 miles and 2h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Penns Grove, 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 88.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.9 mi from Penns Grove, NJ
· 1h 12m into the drive
The midpoint is around 60 miles from Penns Grove, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Passaic, NJ
The final approach into Passaic, 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 Passaic, 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.
Thomas Edison National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
$10
near mile 109.6
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 117.7
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...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 101.5
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...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 105.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.51 one way
$39.03 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$21.37
$42.74
premium
$4.93
$22.83
$45.65
diesel
$5.61
$25.99
$51.97
Estimated Tolls: $12.33
New Jersey Turnpike
(88.1 mi)$12.33
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
$20
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.3
0
$12.36
$5.65
Efficient EV
29.4
0
$10.30
$4.71
EV Truck/SUV
47.1
0
$16.48
$7.53
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Penns Grove, NJ
Morning
in Penns Grove on Saturday
Local time
11:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Passaic, NJ
Morning
in Passaic on Saturday
Local time
11:32 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
12 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
2h 26m 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 Penns Grove, NJ to Passaic, NJ covers 117.7 miles and takes about 2h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New Jersey Turnpike, NJ 21, 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 58.9 miles from Penns Grove, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.51 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 15 significant decision points across 117.7 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 9.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Penns Grove, NJ and Passaic, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike, Nj Turnpike North, New York City, Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport and Downtown.
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.
