Traveling from Magnolia to Passaic covers 91.2 miles of New Jersey's Northeast corridor, typically taking about 1 hour and 55 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused drive, it works perfectly as a quick day trip rather than an overnight excursion. You can expect to spend roughly $15 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly transit between the two points. The route utilizes a combination of the New Jersey Turnpike, I-295, and NJ 21 to connect these regions. Since the entire journey stays within New Jersey, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the drive. It is an efficient, practical way to navigate the state without unnecessary detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.6 miles from Magnolia, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
66.5 mi
1h 17m
NJ 21
11.4 mi
16m
I 295
5.7 mi
6m
US 1
1.7 mi
2m
Warwick Road North
1.2 mi
2m
NJ 81
0.7 mi
1m
Paulison Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
Evesham Avenue West
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 66.5 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Magnolia, NJ and Passaic, NJ.
1
Start on Walnut Avenue North
434 ft·24 sec·Walnut Avenue North
2
Turn left onto CR 544
0.3 mi·36 sec·Evesham Avenue West
3
Turn left onto CR 669
1.2 mi·2 min·Warwick Road North
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 295 North: Trenton
5
Merge onto I 295
5.7 mi·6 min·I 295
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 36AToward NJ 73 South: BerlinUse the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto NJ 73
0.2 mi·18 sec·NJ 73
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJTP: New Jersey Turnpike
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJTP North: New YorkUse the straight / right lanes.
10
Merge onto NJTP
15 mi·16 min·New Jersey Turnpike
11
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP
52 mi·1 hr·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
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
Given the 1 hour and 55 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule, though departing outside of peak rush hours is always wise to avoid potential congestion on the Turnpike. Since the trip is short and requires zero planned stops, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you depart to keep your $15 estimate accurate. Keep a close eye on your GPS as you transition from the Turnpike to the state highway system, as navigating the final approach into Passaic can be the most complex part of the drive. Because you are spending 95% of your time on highways, keep your cruise control handy for the long, uninterrupted 66.5-mile stretch. This direct path is all about utility, so keep your focus on the road ahead.
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 45.6 miles from Magnolia, NJ, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.5 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 20 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.6 miles or 57m 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.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Magnolia, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Magnolia, NJ
This is one driving day of about 91.2 miles and 1h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Magnolia, 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 66.5 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.5 and 90.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
7.5 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the exit toward NJ 73 South: Berlin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 36A
Toward NJ 73 South: Berlin
7
8.6 mi into trip|~13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJTP North: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward NJTP North: New York
8
75.6 mi into trip|~1h 32m 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
79 mi into trip|~1h 37m 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
90.4 mi into trip|~1h 54m 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
$15.12 one way
$30.24 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$16.56
$33.12
premium
$4.93
$17.69
$35.37
diesel
$5.61
$20.14
$40.27
Estimated Tolls: $9.30
New Jersey Turnpike
(66.5 mi)$9.30
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
$15
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.4
0
$9.58
$4.38
Efficient EV
22.8
0
$7.98
$3.65
EV Truck/SUV
36.5
0
$12.77
$5.84
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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 14, 2026
Origin
Magnolia, NJ
Morning
in Magnolia on Sunday
Local time
9:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Passaic, NJ
Morning
in Passaic on Sunday
Local time
9:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Partly Cloudy then Isolated Rain Showers
W 2 to 8 mph16% 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
12 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 55m 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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 91.2
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...
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...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 75.5
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 78.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is characterized by its high-speed efficiency, with 95% of your travel occurring on major highways. You will settle into a steady rhythm on the New Jersey Turnpike, which accounts for the longest stretch of your journey at 66.5 miles. While the experience is primarily an interstate grind, the transition onto NJ 21 provides a change of pace as you approach your destination. The route is designed for speed and directness, trading scenic variety for reliable pavement. Expect a focused driving experience that prioritizes getting you from point A to point B with minimal technical navigation.
95% 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: 66.5 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 NJ 21. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.5 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 91.2 miles you will encounter 17 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 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
127 ft8 ft
Total Climb
273 ft
Total Descent
241 ft
Highest Point
127 ft
~64.6 mi in
Elevation Range
118 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Magnolia, NJ and Passaic, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York, Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport and Downtown.
Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike
8.1 mi in|~12m
Njtp North: New York
8.6 mi in|~13m
Newark Airport
75.6 mi in|~1h 32m
Elizabeth Seaport
75.6 mi in|~1h 32m
Downtown
79 mi in|~1h 37m|via NJ 21
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 55m. Total distance: 91.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.5 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.30 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.
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 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, Thomas Edison 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.
