Origin
Plainsboro Center, NJ
Morning in Plainsboro Center on Friday
Local time
11:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Plainsboro Center, NJ to Passaic, NJ
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 11m
Distance
51.4 mi
83 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 6m
★
6 AM
1h 12m
8 AM
1h 23m
10 AM
1h 16m
12 PM
1h 15m
3 PM
1h 16m
5 PM
1h 23m
8 PM
1h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Plainsboro Center, NJ
Andrew Patrick Photo
Passaic, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Plainsboro Center, NJ to Passaic, NJ covers 51.4 miles and takes about 1h 11m 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, Dey Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 27.1 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.52 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 11m. Total distance: 51.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 11m highway drive covering 51.4 miles, with most of the trip on New Jersey Turnpike and NJ 21. The longest continuous stretch is about 27.1 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 19 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 27.1 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 6.1 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 51.4 miles you will encounter 13 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 6.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
6.1 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the exit toward NJ 32 East: Jamesburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward NJ 32 East: Jamesburg
6
7.6 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95, NJTP North: New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95, NJTP North: New York City
8
35.7 mi into trip
|
~47m 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
39.1 mi into trip
|
~53m 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
50.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m 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 Plainsboro Center, NJ and Passaic, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp Toll, Njtp North: New York City, Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport and Downtown.
Njtp Toll
7.1 mi in
|
~12m
Njtp North: New York City
7.6 mi in
|
~13m
Newark Airport
35.7 mi in
|
~47m
Elizabeth Seaport
35.7 mi in
|
~47m
Downtown
39.1 mi in
|
~53m
|
via NJ 21
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike | 27.1 mi | 32m |
| NJ 21 | 11.4 mi | 16m |
| Dey Road | 4.6 mi | 8m |
| US 1 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| US 130 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Forsgate Drive | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| NJ 81 | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Paulison Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 27.1 mi, about 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plainsboro Center, NJ and Passaic, NJ.
1
Start on Edgemere Avenue
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Edgemere Avenue
2
Continue on Dey Road
4.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Dey Road
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left onto US 130
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 130
Use the slight right lane.
4
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
Toward NJ 32 East: Jamesburg
Use the slight right lane.
5
Continue on NJ 32
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Forsgate Drive
6
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward NJTP Toll, I 95 Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 95, NJTP North: New York City
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
27 mi
·
32 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 13A
Toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto NJ 81
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
NJ 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 1; US 9
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
US 1; US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21
11 mi
·
16 min
·
NJ 21
Toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 11A
Toward River Drive, Passaic
Use the slight right lane.
16
Continue on CR 624
350 ft
·
8 sec
·
River Drive
17
Turn left onto CR 618
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
Paulison Avenue
18
Turn right onto Passaic Avenue
95 ft
·
2 sec
·
Passaic Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
Passaic Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 25.7 mi from Plainsboro Center, NJ · 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 25.7 miles from Plainsboro Center, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.52 one way
$17.04 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $9.33 | $18.67 |
| premium | $4.93 | $9.97 | $19.94 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.35 | $22.70 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.79
New Jersey Turnpike
(27.1 mi)
$3.79
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
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 18 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.4 | 0 | $5.40 | $2.47 |
| Efficient EV | 12.9 | 0 | $4.50 | $2.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.6 | 0 | $7.20 | $3.29 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (67% 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
Passaic, NJ
Morning in Passaic on Friday
Local time
11:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°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
16 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 11m 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 Plainsboro Center, NJ to Passaic, NJ covers 51.4 miles and takes about 1h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New Jersey Turnpike, NJ 21, 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 25.7 miles from Plainsboro Center, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.52 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 51.4 miles you will encounter 13 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 6.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Plainsboro Center, NJ and Passaic, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp Toll, Njtp North: New York City, Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport and Downtown.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area. 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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