Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 48m
Distance
73.5 mi
118 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Browns Mills, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Passaic, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Browns Mills to Passaic is 73.5 miles and takes about 1 hour 48 minutes via New Jersey Turnpike and NJ 21, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within New Jersey, taking you from the southern part of the state up toward the northeast region. It's a fairly straightforward trip focused on efficient travel, making it a solid option if you need to get from Point A to Point B without much fuss. Expect a practical journey that prioritizes covering ground over leisurely sightseeing.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.8 miles from Browns Mills, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike | 33.4 mi | 39m |
| NJ 21 | 11.4 mi | 16m |
| Browns Mills Cookstown Road | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| Sharon Station Road | 4 mi | 8m |
| Old York Road | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| Holmes Mill Road | 2.9 mi | 5m |
| US 1 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Evergreen Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Browns Mills, NJ and Passaic, NJ.
Start on this road
Turn right onto CR 545
Turn right onto CR 667
Continue on CR 667
Turn right onto CR 667
Turn left onto CR 667
Continue on CR 667
Continue on CR 616
Continue on CR 616
Continue on CR 616
Continue on CR 528
Turn left onto CR 8
Continue on CR 27
Turn right onto CR 27
Turn left onto CR 539
Enter roundabout onto CR 539 ALT
Continue on CR 539 ALT
Turn left onto Herbert Road
Turn right onto CR 539
Continue on CR 539
Turn slight right
Turn right onto NJ 33
Turn left onto I 95; NJTP
Take the exit
Merge onto NJ 81
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on US 1; US 9
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21
Take the exit
Continue on CR 624
Turn left onto CR 618
Turn right onto Passaic Avenue
Arrive at destination
Given the short duration of about 1 hour 48 minutes, this is easily a same-day trip, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Aim to leave when traffic is typically lighter, perhaps mid-morning or early afternoon, to make the most of the open road. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, you won't need to worry about frequent fill-ups, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Pay close attention to exits for NJ 21 as you get closer to Passaic; these can sometimes be less clearly marked than major highway interchanges.
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.
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 16 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.8 miles or 59m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Passaic, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Browns Mills, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Browns Mills, NJ
This is one driving day of about 73.5 miles and 1h 48m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 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.
A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 36.8 miles from Browns Mills, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 72.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto CR 545 / Trenton Road
Navigation decision point
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
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Regular Gas
$12.19 one way
$24.37 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $13.35 | $26.69 |
| premium | $4.93 | $14.25 | $28.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.23 | $32.46 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.67
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
$12
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.1 | 0 | $7.72 | $3.53 |
| Efficient EV | 18.4 | 0 | $6.43 | $2.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.4 | 0 | $10.29 | $4.70 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Browns Mills on Sunday
Local time
12:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Cloudy
Destination
Late night in Passaic on Sunday
Local time
12:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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This route is largely highway-focused, with 64% of the drive utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 33.4 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike, which sets the tone for much of the journey. Expect consistent speeds and a direct path for a good portion of your travel. As you progress, the roads will transition, incorporating NJ 21 and Browns Mills Cookstown Road, offering a slight change in scenery and driving dynamics as you approach your destination.
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 early in the drive near CR 545 / Trenton Road.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.5 miles you will encounter 19 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: near the start (CR 545 / Trenton Road): Navigation decision point; at 57.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Browns Mills, NJ and Passaic, NJ, road signs point toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport and Downtown.
Newark Airport
Elizabeth Seaport
Downtown
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 48m. Total distance: 73.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (64%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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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