Spanning 109.1 miles across New Jersey, this journey from Elwood to Paterson is a straightforward trip that typically takes 2 hours and 25 minutes. Because the route is compact, it works perfectly as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight lodging. Budgeting approximately $18 for fuel will cover your transit across the Northeast corridor. You will primarily utilize the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, and Trenton Road to navigate between these two points. Since the drive is relatively short, it is an efficient way to cross the state, though you should be prepared for the steady traffic often found on these major thoroughfares.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
54.6 miles from Elwood, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
36.9 mi
42m
Garden State Parkway
25.8 mi
35m
Trenton Road
17.6 mi
23m
US 206
16.5 mi
20m
White Horse Pike
6.6 mi
10m
NJ 19
1.7 mi
1m
Main Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Grand Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 36.9 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elwood, NJ and Paterson, 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 left at fork
0.3 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
11
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
37 mi·42 min·New Jersey Turnpike
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 11Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, WoodbridgeUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward GSP North: Garden State ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto GSP
26 mi·35 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
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
Given the 2 hour and 25 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though avoiding peak rush hours on the Turnpike and Parkway is always a smart move. Because there are no mandatory stops built into this 109.1-mile route, you can easily complete the drive in one go without needing to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the Turnpike, as steady highway speeds can impact your consumption. Since this is a one-day trip, pack your essentials in the front seat so you don't have to dig through the trunk during your commute. Staying alert during that 36.9-mile stretch on the Turnpike will ensure you navigate the junctions toward Paterson smoothly.
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 54.6 miles from Elwood, NJ, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.9 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 24 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.6 miles or 1h 13m 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 57m
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 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 109.1 miles and 2h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 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 36.9 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 79 and 108.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
79 mi into trip|~1h 41m 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
79.5 mi into trip|~1h 42m 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
106 mi into trip|~2h 20m 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
108.4 mi into trip|~2h 23m 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
108.6 mi into trip|~2h 23m 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
$18.09 one way
$36.17 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$19.81
$39.62
premium
$4.93
$21.16
$42.32
diesel
$5.61
$24.09
$48.18
Estimated Tolls: $6.71
New Jersey Turnpike
(36.9 mi)$5.16
Garden State Parkway
(25.8 mi)$1.55
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
$18
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.7
0
$11.46
$5.24
Efficient EV
27.3
0
$9.55
$4.36
EV Truck/SUV
43.6
0
$15.27
$6.98
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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
Elwood, NJ
Night
in Elwood on Saturday
Local time
10:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Paterson, NJ
Night
in Paterson on Saturday
Local time
10:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Bristol, PA
55 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 25m 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 109.1
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 90.3
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 94.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 74% of your journey takes place on high-speed roads. You will settle into a consistent rhythm behind the wheel, with your longest uninterrupted stretch occurring over 36.9 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike. The character of the road is functional and direct, prioritizing speed over scenic detours. As you transition between the major arteries, the landscape shifts from the southern reaches of the state toward the more densely populated northern areas. It is an efficient, no-nonsense drive that keeps you moving toward your destination without the complexity of technical backroads.
74% 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: 36.9 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 Garden State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 79 miles in.
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 20 significant decision points across 109.1 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 79 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 106 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 Elwood, NJ and Paterson, NJ, road signs point toward New York, Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York City, Gsp and Woodbridge.
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
Gsp
79 mi in|~1h 41m
Woodbridge
79 mi in|~1h 41m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 25m. Total distance: 109.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 25m 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 36.9 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.71 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 79 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 106 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.
