This 78.4-mile drive from Burlington, NJ to Paterson, NJ is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 43 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-95 and the Garden State Parkway, this route is well-suited for a single day trip, with an estimated fuel cost of $13. Given its relatively short duration and highway-centric profile, it's a practical option for getting between these two New Jersey locations without needing an overnight stay. The drive remains within the Northeast region, offering a consistent experience throughout.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.2 miles from Burlington, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
39.8 mi
45m
Garden State Parkway
25.8 mi
35m
Burlington Pike
4.8 mi
8m
New Jersey Turnpike Pennsylvania Extension
2.6 mi
2m
NJ 19
1.7 mi
1m
Main Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Grand Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Market Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 39.8 mi, about 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burlington, NJ and Paterson, NJ.
1
Start on US 130; CR 543
107 ft·4 sec·Burlington Pike
2
Take the exit
474 ft·20 sec
3
Turn left
47 ft·6 sec
4
Turn left
84 ft·7 sec
5
Turn slight right onto US 130; CR 543
4.7 mi·8 min·Burlington Pike
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 95 Toll, NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City, Camden
8
Merge onto I 95
2.6 mi·2 min·New Jersey Turnpike Pennsylvania Extension
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
40 mi·45 min·I 95
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 11Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, WoodbridgeUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward GSP North: Garden State ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto GSP
26 mi·35 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 155AToward NJ 19: PatersonUse the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Merge onto NJ 19
1.7 mi·1 min·NJ 19
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
313 ft·7 sec
Toward I 80 West: Grand Street, Del Water Gap
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·23 sec
Toward Grand StreetUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Turn right onto CR 638
0.2 mi·27 sec·Grand Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto CR 509
0.3 mi·29 sec·Main Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn right onto CR 648
453 ft·15 sec·Market Street
20
Turn left onto Colt Street
42 ft·3 sec·Colt Street
21
Arrive at destination
Colt Street
Trip Plan
With a duration of just under two hours, this trip offers flexibility; you can depart at your convenience. Consider leaving early to avoid potential traffic on I-95 and the Garden State Parkway, especially if you are traveling on a weekday. Since the longest stretch without a break is nearly 40 miles, plan for a fuel or rest stop around that point if needed, though with the entire trip being only 78.4 miles, this might not be necessary for most drivers. The low fuel cost of $13 makes this an economical choice for a quick transit.
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 39.2 miles from Burlington, NJ, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.8 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 17 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.2 miles or 49m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Paterson, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Burlington, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Burlington, NJ
This is one driving day of about 78.4 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Burlington, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 39.8 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 48.3 and 77.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
48.3 mi into trip|~1h in
Take the exit toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge
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 11
Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbri...
7
48.7 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward GSP North: Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward GSP North: Garden State Parkway
7
75.3 mi into trip|~1h 38m 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
77.7 mi into trip|~1h 41m 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
77.9 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|CR 638 / Grand Street
Turn right onto CR 638 / Grand Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.00 one way
$26.00 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$14.24
$28.47
premium
$4.93
$15.20
$30.41
diesel
$5.61
$17.31
$34.62
Estimated Tolls: $1.92
Garden State Parkway
(25.8 mi)$1.55
New Jersey Turnpike
(2.6 mi)$0.37
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
$13
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.5
0
$8.23
$3.76
Efficient EV
19.6
0
$6.86
$3.14
EV Truck/SUV
31.4
0
$10.98
$5.02
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Burlington, NJ
Morning
in Burlington on Sunday
Local time
7:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Paterson, NJ
Morning
in Paterson on Sunday
Local time
7:29 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
20 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 43m 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...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 78.4
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...
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 59.5
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...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 64.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-dominated experience on this route, with 89% of the drive taking place on major roadways. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 39.8 miles on I-95, which forms a substantial portion of the journey. While the profile is largely highway-focused, the inclusion of Burlington Pike suggests a transition or initial segment on a more local road before merging onto the faster interstates. The overall character is one of efficient travel rather than scenic exploration.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 39.8 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Garden State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 48.3 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 78.4 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 48.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Burlington, NJ and Paterson, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York City, Camden, Gsp and Woodbridge.
Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
4.9 mi in|~8m
Njtp North: New York City
5.2 mi in|~9m
Camden
5.2 mi in|~9m
Gsp
48.3 mi in|~1h
Woodbridge
48.3 mi in|~1h
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 43m. Total distance: 78.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 39.8 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.92 in tolls one way, starting with Garden State Parkway. 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 Paterson, 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 48.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Morristown National Historical Park (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 Paterson, NJ before heading back.
