Spanning 95.2 miles across the Northeast, this straightforward journey from Magnolia to Paterson typically takes about 2 hours and 2 minutes. Because the drive is relatively short, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily rely on the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, and I-295 to navigate between these two points. Budgeting approximately $16 for fuel should cover your travel costs, making this an economical trip. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick visit, this route offers a efficient way to traverse the state. It is a no-frills, practical connection that gets you from the southern region to the northern part of New Jersey with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.6 miles from Magnolia, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
55.9 mi
1h 4m
Garden State Parkway
25.8 mi
35m
I 295
5.7 mi
6m
NJ 19
1.7 mi
1m
Warwick Road North
1.2 mi
2m
Evesham Avenue West
0.3 mi
<1m
Main Street
0.3 mi
<1m
NJ 73
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 55.9 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Magnolia, NJ and Paterson, 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 left at fork onto NJTP
41 mi·47 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
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
Since this is a manageable 2-hour drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever your schedule allows, though avoiding peak commuting hours is always wise to minimize traffic delays. You will not need to plan for any formal stops given the short duration, allowing you to drive straight through if you prefer. Because the majority of the trip is spent on the New Jersey Turnpike, keep your payment method for tolls easily accessible to ensure a smooth transit. If you find yourself needing a break, utilize the various service areas located directly along the Turnpike to refuel or stretch your legs. Keeping your vehicle prepared for highway speeds will make the 95.2-mile trek feel even shorter.
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 47.6 miles from Magnolia, NJ, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.9 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 21 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.6 miles or 58m 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 38m
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 Magnolia, 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 Magnolia, NJ
This is one driving day of about 95.2 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 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 55.9 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.5 and 94.5 — 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
65.1 mi into trip|~1h 19m 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
65.5 mi into trip|~1h 20m 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
8
94.5 mi into trip|~2h 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.78 one way
$31.57 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$17.29
$34.57
premium
$4.93
$18.46
$36.93
diesel
$5.61
$21.02
$42.04
Estimated Tolls: $9.38
New Jersey Turnpike
(55.9 mi)$7.83
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
$16
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.6
0
$10.00
$4.57
Efficient EV
23.8
0
$8.33
$3.81
EV Truck/SUV
38.1
0
$13.33
$6.09
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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 18, 2026
Origin
Magnolia, NJ
Late night
in Magnolia on Sunday
Local time
12:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Paterson, NJ
Late night
in Paterson on Sunday
Local time
12:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 2 to 10 mph1% 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
2h 2m 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 95.2
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...
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 75.5
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 78.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused experience, as 94% of this route is comprised of major roadways. The drive lacks technical local roads, instead favoring a steady, high-speed pace that keeps you moving consistently. You will settle into the flow of traffic for a significant portion of the trip, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 55.9 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike. Because the route is so heavily dependent on major interstates, the personality of the drive is functional and direct rather than winding or scenic. You should prepare for a consistent, interstate-heavy grind that prioritizes speed and connectivity over leisurely sightseeing.
94% 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: 55.9 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 7.5 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 21 significant decision points across 95.2 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 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 65.1 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
181 ft46 ft
Total Climb
343 ft
Total Descent
338 ft
Highest Point
181 ft
~91.2 mi in
Elevation Range
135 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 Paterson, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York, Gsp and Woodbridge.
Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike
8.1 mi in|~12m
Njtp North: New York
8.6 mi in|~13m
Gsp
65.1 mi in|~1h 19m
Woodbridge
65.1 mi in|~1h 19m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 2m. Total distance: 95.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.9 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.38 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 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 65.1 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 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.
