Traveling from Elwood to Passaic covers 105.1 miles through the Northeast, a journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 18 minutes. Because this is a highway-focused drive, it is perfectly manageable as a straightforward day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $17 for fuel to complete the trek. By utilizing a mix of the New Jersey Turnpike, US 206, and Trenton Road, you can move efficiently between the two locations. This route is ideal for those who prefer a direct, no-nonsense path across New Jersey rather than a leisurely backroads cruise.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.6 miles from Elwood, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
47.2 mi
55m
Trenton Road
17.6 mi
23m
US 206
16.5 mi
20m
NJ 21
11.4 mi
16m
White Horse Pike
6.6 mi
10m
US 1
1.7 mi
2m
NJ 81
0.7 mi
1m
Paulison Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 47.2 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elwood, NJ and Passaic, NJ.
1
Start on CR 623
104 ft·11 sec·Elwood Road
2
Turn left onto US 30
6.6 mi·10 min·White Horse Pike
3
Take the exit
201 ft·5 sec
Toward US 206 North
4
Merge onto US 206
18 mi·23 min·Trenton Road
5
Enter roundabout onto US 206
498 ft·6 sec·US 206
Toward US 206 North: Trenton, New York
6
Continue on US 206
7.6 mi·10 min·US 206
Toward US 206 North: Trenton, New YorkUse the straight lane.
7
Continue on US 206
8.8 mi·10 min·US 206
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 Toll, NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
11
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
47 mi·55 min·New Jersey Turnpike
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 13AToward Newark Airport, Elizabeth SeaportUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto NJ 81
0.7 mi·1 min·NJ 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·44 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on US 1; US 9
1.7 mi·2 min·US 1; US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 11AToward River Drive, PassaicUse the slight right lane.
18
Continue on CR 624
350 ft·8 sec·River Drive
19
Turn left onto CR 618
0.5 mi·54 sec·Paulison Avenue
20
Turn right onto Passaic Avenue
95 ft·2 sec·Passaic Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
Passaic Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip with zero scheduled stops, your biggest advantage is flexibility in your departure time. Aim to check traffic reports before you leave, as the heavy reliance on the New Jersey Turnpike means conditions can fluctuate quickly. With a fuel budget of $17, you will likely find it most convenient to start with a full tank in Elwood so you can drive the entire 105.1 miles without needing to pull over for gas. Pay close attention to signage when switching between the Turnpike and US 206, as the transition between high-speed arteries and secondary roads requires careful navigation. Keep your pace steady to make the most of the 2-hour and 18-minute estimated travel time.
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 52.6 miles from Elwood, NJ, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.2 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 23 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.6 miles or 1h 11m 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 50m
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 Elwood, 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 Elwood, NJ
This is one driving day of about 105.1 miles and 2h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Elwood, 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 47.2 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 24.2 and 104.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
24.2 mi into trip|~33m in|US 206
Enter roundabout onto US 206 toward US 206 North: Trenton, New York
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 206 North: Trenton, New York
6
41.4 mi into trip|~56m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
8
89.5 mi into trip|~1h 54m 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
92.9 mi into trip|~2h 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
104.3 mi into trip|~2h 17m 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
$17.42 one way
$34.85 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$19.08
$38.17
premium
$4.93
$20.38
$40.77
diesel
$5.61
$23.20
$46.41
Estimated Tolls: $6.61
New Jersey Turnpike
(47.2 mi)$6.61
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
$17
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.5
0
$11.04
$5.04
Efficient EV
26.3
0
$9.20
$4.20
EV Truck/SUV
42
0
$14.71
$6.73
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 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 15, 2026
Origin
Elwood, NJ
Night
in Elwood on Saturday
Local time
10:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Passaic, NJ
Night
in Passaic on Saturday
Local time
10:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Bristol, PA
53 mi in
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
15 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
2h 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.
Thomas Edison National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
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 105.1
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...
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...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 94.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip defined by high-speed efficiency, as roughly 74% of your time will be spent on highways. The journey hits its stride on the New Jersey Turnpike, which features your longest uninterrupted stretch of 47.2 miles. While the highway portions allow for steady pacing, transitions onto US 206 and Trenton Road provide a shift in environment as you move through the state. You will find that the road's personality leans toward a functional interstate experience, prioritizing speed and connectivity over winding scenic detours. It is a predictable drive that lets you settle into a rhythm once you merge onto the main corridors.
74% 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: 47.2 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 Trenton Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 24.2 miles in near US 206.
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 16 significant decision points across 105.1 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 24.2 miles (US 206): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.5 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 Elwood, NJ and Passaic, NJ, road signs point toward New York, Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York City, Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport and Downtown.
New York
24.2 mi in|~33m|via US 206
Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
40.7 mi in|~54m
Njtp North: New York City
41.4 mi in|~56m
Newark Airport
89.5 mi in|~1h 54m
Elizabeth Seaport
89.5 mi in|~1h 54m
Downtown
92.9 mi in|~2h|via NJ 21
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 18m. Total distance: 105.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 47.2 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.61 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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 24.2 miles (US 206): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Paterson Great Falls 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.
