Stretching 160.9 miles across the Northeast, this trip from Cape May to Paterson is a straightforward journey that typically takes 3 hours and 18 minutes. Because the route is primarily highway-focused, you can comfortably complete the drive in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $27 on fuel for the trek. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the Garden State Parkway, connecting the southern tip of New Jersey to the northern reaches of the state. It is an efficient path for those looking to move between these two distinct regions quickly and reliably.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
80.5 miles from Cape May, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
154.9 mi
3h 7m
NJ 19
1.7 mi
1m
Lafayette Street
1 mi
1m
Reading Avenue
0.7 mi
2m
Main Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Washington Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Grand Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Market Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 154.9 mi, about 3h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cape May, NJ and Paterson, NJ.
1
Start on this road
82 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto New York Avenue
104 ft·6 sec·New York Avenue
3
Turn right onto Reading Avenue
0.7 mi·2 min·Reading Avenue
4
Turn right onto Massachusetts Avenue
324 ft·19 sec·Massachusetts Avenue
5
Turn left onto East Street
302 ft·15 sec·East Street
6
Turn right onto Washington Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·Washington Street
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto NJ 109; OD
102 ft·2 sec·Washington Street
Use the right lane.
8
Turn straight onto NJ 109; OD
1.0 mi·1 min·Lafayette Street
9
Turn straight onto GSP
19 mi·22 min·Garden State Parkway
Toward GSP North: Garden State Parkway NorthUse the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·31 sec
11
Merge onto GSP
34 mi·39 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
50 mi·58 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·31 sec
14
Continue on GSP
52 mi·1 hr 7 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 155AToward NJ 19: PatersonUse the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Merge onto NJ 19
1.7 mi·1 min·NJ 19
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
313 ft·7 sec
Toward I 80 West: Grand Street, Del Water Gap
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·23 sec
Toward Grand StreetUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto CR 638
0.2 mi·27 sec·Grand Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto CR 509
0.3 mi·29 sec·Main Street
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto CR 648
453 ft·15 sec·Market Street
22
Turn left onto Colt Street
42 ft·3 sec·Colt Street
23
Arrive at destination
Colt Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs, as the long, uninterrupted stretch on the Garden State Parkway can be fatiguing. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before starting, budgeting about $27 to ensure you reach Paterson without stress. Because the route is so heavily reliant on the Parkway, check traffic reports for that specific corridor before you pull out of your driveway to avoid unnecessary delays. This practical approach helps you maintain a smooth pace throughout the entire 160.9-mile trip.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 80.5 miles from Cape May, NJ, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 154.9 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 35 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.5 miles or 1h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 40m
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 Cape May, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cape May, NJ
This is one driving day of about 160.9 miles and 3h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Cape May, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 154.9 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 160.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.8 mi into trip|~3m in|Washington Street
Turn right onto Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
1 mi into trip|~3m in|NJ 109; OD / Washington Street
Keep slight right at fork onto NJ 109; OD / Washington Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
157.8 mi into trip|~3h 13m 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
160.2 mi into trip|~3h 17m 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
160.4 mi into trip|~3h 17m 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
$26.68 one way
$53.35 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$29.22
$58.43
premium
$4.93
$31.20
$62.41
diesel
$5.61
$35.52
$71.05
Estimated Tolls: $9.29
Garden State Parkway
(154.9 mi)$9.29
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
$27
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.3
0
$16.89
$7.72
Efficient EV
40.2
0
$14.08
$6.44
EV Truck/SUV
64.4
0
$22.53
$10.30
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Cape May, NJ
Night
in Cape May on Saturday
Local time
9:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Paterson, NJ
Night
in Paterson on Saturday
Local time
9:11 PM
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
11 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
3h 18m 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.
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 160.9
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
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 138.7
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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 116.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed, efficient experience where 97% of your travel occurs on highways. The road's personality is defined by the Garden State Parkway, which accounts for a significant 154.9-mile stretch of the journey. You will find this to be a consistent, highway-focused drive rather than a winding backroad excursion. As you transition from the southern coast toward the northern urban landscape, the pace remains steady and fast-moving. Navigating the final transition onto NJ 19 and Lafayette Street serves as the main shift in scenery as you reach your destination.
97% 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: 154.9 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and NJ 19. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near Washington Street.
Driving Effort10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 160.9 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 0.8 miles (Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (NJ 109; OD / Washington Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 157.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 18m. Total distance: 160.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 154.9 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.29 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (NJ 109; OD / Washington Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 157.8 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Paterson, NJ, but most travelers stay overnight.
