Ashland, NJ to Passaic, NJ is 89.3 miles and takes about 1h 52m via New Jersey Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, entirely within New Jersey. Given its short duration and highway focus, this route is best suited for a quick transit. You'll primarily be on major thoroughfares, making it a straightforward journey for those needing to get from point A to point B efficiently. Consider this a practical shuttle rather than a leisurely cruise.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.6 miles from Ashland, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
66.5 mi
1h 17m
NJ 21
11.4 mi
16m
I 295
4.1 mi
4m
US 1
1.7 mi
2m
Burnt Mill Road
0.9 mi
1m
NJ 81
0.7 mi
1m
Paulison Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
NJ 73
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 66.5 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ashland, NJ and Passaic, NJ.
1
Start on Philmar Avenue
517 ft·27 sec·Philmar Avenue
2
Turn left onto East 3rd Avenue
298 ft·15 sec·East 3rd Avenue
3
Turn right onto CR 670
0.9 mi·1 min·Burnt Mill Road
4
Turn left onto CR 561
0.1 mi·10 sec·Haddonfield-Berlin Road
5
Continue on CR 561
0.1 mi·11 sec·Berlin Road
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 295 North
7
Merge onto I 295
4.1 mi·4 min·I 295
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 36AToward NJ 73 South: BerlinUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto NJ 73
0.2 mi·18 sec·NJ 73
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJTP: New Jersey Turnpike
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJTP North: New YorkUse the straight / right lanes.
12
Merge onto NJTP
15 mi·16 min·New Jersey Turnpike
13
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP
52 mi·1 hr·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 13AToward Newark Airport, Elizabeth SeaportUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto NJ 81
0.7 mi·1 min·NJ 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·44 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on US 1; US 9
1.7 mi·2 min·US 1; US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
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.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 11AToward River Drive, PassaicUse the slight right lane.
20
Continue on CR 624
350 ft·8 sec·River Drive
21
Turn left onto CR 618
0.5 mi·54 sec·Paulison Avenue
22
Turn right onto Passaic Avenue
95 ft·2 sec·Passaic Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
Passaic Avenue
Trip Plan
With a drive time under two hours, this trip offers considerable flexibility. You can easily complete it in a single day, so there's no need for an overnight stay. It's advisable to depart during off-peak hours to minimize time spent in traffic, especially on the New Jersey Turnpike. Plan for minimal stops, as the route is short and designed for direct travel. Given the 89.3-mile distance, your estimated fuel cost is about $15, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you begin to avoid unnecessary service area stops.
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 44.6 miles from Ashland, NJ, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.5 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 20 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.6 miles or 55m 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 32m
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 Ashland, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ashland, NJ
This is one driving day of about 89.3 miles and 1h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Ashland, 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 66.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.6 and 88.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
5.6 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the exit toward NJ 73 South: Berlin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 36A
Toward NJ 73 South: Berlin
7
6.6 mi into trip|~10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJTP North: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward NJTP North: New York
8
73.6 mi into trip|~1h 28m 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
77 mi into trip|~1h 34m 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
88.4 mi into trip|~1h 51m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.80 one way
$29.61 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$16.21
$32.43
premium
$4.93
$17.32
$34.64
diesel
$5.61
$19.72
$39.43
Estimated Tolls: $9.30
New Jersey Turnpike
(66.5 mi)$9.30
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
$15
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.8
0
$9.38
$4.29
Efficient EV
22.3
0
$7.81
$3.57
EV Truck/SUV
35.7
0
$12.50
$5.72
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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 16, 2026
Origin
Ashland, NJ
Late night
in Ashland on Sunday
Local time
4:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Passaic, NJ
Late night
in Passaic on Sunday
Local time
4:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 10 mph5% chanceLive 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
41 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 52m 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.
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 89.3
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...
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...
15 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 73.9
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is heavily highway-focused, with 95% of it on major roads. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the New Jersey Turnpike, including one uninterrupted stretch of 66.5 miles. Expect a consistent driving experience with limited deviations from high-speed travel. The primary roads include the New Jersey Turnpike, NJ 21, and I-295, indicating a well-connected and direct path. This highway-centric profile means you'll be navigating substantial traffic at times, but the infrastructure is built for speed.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.5 mi on New Jersey Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 5.6 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 89.3 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 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 73.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ashland, NJ and Passaic, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York, Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport and Downtown.
Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike
6.1 mi in|~8m
Njtp North: New York
6.6 mi in|~10m
Newark Airport
73.6 mi in|~1h 28m
Elizabeth Seaport
73.6 mi in|~1h 28m
Downtown
77 mi in|~1h 34m|via NJ 21
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 52m. Total distance: 89.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.5 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.30 in tolls one way, starting with New Jersey Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Passaic, NJ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 73.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Passaic, NJ before heading back.
