Origin
West Windsor, NJ
Late night in West Windsor on Friday
Local time
3:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from West Windsor, NJ to Paterson, NJ
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
1h 21m
Distance
54.7 mi
88 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
None
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 15m
★
6 AM
1h 21m
8 AM
1h 34m
10 AM
1h 25m
12 PM
1h 24m
3 PM
1h 26m
5 PM
1h 33m
8 PM
1h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
West Windsor, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Paterson, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from West Windsor to Paterson, you are looking at a 54.7-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 21 minutes to complete. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it is efficient enough to manage without any overnight stops. You will primarily navigate via the Garden State Parkway, US 1, and Brunswick Pike to move through the Northeast region. Budgeting approximately $9 for fuel covers the basic costs of the trip. Because the drive is relatively short and direct, it offers a straightforward transit between these two New Jersey locations, making it a manageable task for any driver.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 21m. Total distance: 54.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: none.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 68% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on high-speed roads. The character of the drive shifts from local access routes like Brunswick Pike to the more sustained pace of the Garden State Parkway. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 25.1 miles once you merge onto the Parkway, which defines the main flow of your commute. While the start and end points involve navigating local infrastructure, the bulk of your travel is designed for steady movement rather than technical twists or scenic sightseeing. This is a practical, functional drive that prioritizes speed and efficiency over leisurely pacing.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 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 25.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Brunswick Pike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 15.8 miles in near US 1.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 23 significant decision points across 54.7 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 15.8 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.9 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
15.8 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
US 1
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1 toward Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|New...
7
15.9 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
US 1
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
51.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m 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
54 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m 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
54.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m 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 West Windsor, NJ and Paterson, NJ, road signs point toward Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|Newark and New Brunswick.
Newark|Newark
15.8 mi in
|
~25m
|
via US 1
Camden
15.8 mi in
|
~25m
|
via US 1
New Brunswick|Newark
15.8 mi in
|
~25m
|
via US 1
New Brunswick
15.8 mi in
|
~25m
|
via US 1
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 25.1 mi | 34m |
| Brunswick Pike | 12.9 mi | 18m |
| US 1 | 10.3 mi | 15m |
| NJ 19 | 1.7 mi | 1m |
| Washington Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Princeton-Hightstown Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Penn Lyle Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 25.1 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Windsor, NJ and Paterson, NJ.
1
Start on Ziff Lane
475 ft
·
22 sec
·
Ziff Lane
2
Turn right onto Princeton Place
378 ft
·
22 sec
·
Princeton Place
3
Turn left onto Canoe Brook Drive
406 ft
·
19 sec
·
Canoe Brook Drive
4
Turn right onto Penn Lyle Road
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
Penn Lyle Road
5
Turn right onto CR 638
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Clarksville Road
6
Turn left onto CR 526; CR 571
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Princeton-Hightstown Road
7
Turn right onto CR 526; CR 571
247 ft
·
5 sec
·
Washington Road
8
Continue on CR 526; CR 571
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Road
9
Enter roundabout onto US 1
76 ft
·
4 sec
·
Brunswick Pike
10
Continue on US 1
13 mi
·
18 min
·
Brunswick Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
504 ft
·
7 sec
·
US 1
Toward Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
366 ft
·
5 sec
·
US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
US 1
15
Continue on US 1
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 1
16
Continue on US 1
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on US 1
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 1
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on US 1
5.9 mi
·
9 min
·
US 1
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward GSP Toll North: Garden State Parkway
20
Merge onto GSP
25 mi
·
34 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
21
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 155A
Toward NJ 19: Paterson
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
22
Merge onto NJ 19
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
NJ 19
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
313 ft
·
7 sec
Toward I 80 West: Grand Street, Del Water Gap
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
Toward Grand Street
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
25
Turn right onto CR 638
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Grand Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Turn left onto CR 509
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
Main Street
Use the straight lane.
27
Turn right onto CR 648
453 ft
·
15 sec
·
Market Street
28
Turn left onto Colt Street
42 ft
·
3 sec
·
Colt Street
29
Arrive at destination
Colt Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 27.4 mi from West Windsor, NJ · 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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 54.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27.4 miles from West Windsor, 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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Paterson, NJ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.07 one way
$18.14 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $9.93 | $19.86 |
| premium | $4.93 | $10.61 | $21.22 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.08 | $24.15 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.51
Garden State Parkway
(25.1 mi)
$1.51
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Tolls
$2
Total
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.4 | 0 | $5.74 | $2.63 |
| Efficient EV | 13.7 | 0 | $4.79 | $2.19 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.9 | 0 | $7.66 | $3.50 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Destination
Paterson, NJ
Late night in Paterson on Friday
Local time
3:35 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
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 21m 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 West Windsor, NJ to Paterson, NJ covers 54.7 miles and takes about 1h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, Brunswick Pike, US 1. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 27.4 miles from West Windsor, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.07 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 23 significant decision points across 54.7 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 15.8 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.9 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between West Windsor, NJ and Paterson, NJ, road signs point toward Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|Newark and New Brunswick.
Data sources
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. EV charging comes from the NREL Alternative Fuels dataset. Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the methodology page.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Paterson, NJ
More from West Windsor, NJ
More trips to Paterson, NJ
Explore more options from West Windsor, NJ or browse trips ending in Paterson, NJ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NJ road trips.