If you are planning a trip from Marlton to Paterson, you are looking at a direct, 90.2-mile journey through the heart of New Jersey. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 55 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. You will primarily utilize the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, and NJ 73 to navigate between these two Northeast locations. Budgeting roughly $15 for fuel should cover your transit costs effectively. Because the route is straightforward and relatively short, there is no need to split this into an overnight trip. It is a practical, efficient way to connect the southern and northern parts of the state without unnecessary complexity.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.1 miles from Marlton, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
55.9 mi
1h 4m
Garden State Parkway
25.8 mi
35m
NJ 73
2.7 mi
3m
NJ 19
1.7 mi
1m
Main Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Marlton Pike
0.2 mi
<1m
Grand Street
0.2 mi
<1m
North Maple Avenue
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 Marlton, NJ and Paterson, NJ.
1
Start on this road
28 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto CR 620
113 ft·4 sec·East Main Street
3
Turn right onto CR 607
0.2 mi·19 sec·North Maple Avenue
4
Turn left onto NJ 70
0.2 mi·26 sec·Marlton Pike
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Toward NJ 73: Palmyra, Tacony BridgeUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto NJ 73
2.7 mi·3 min·NJ 73
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on NJ 73
198 ft·3 sec·NJ 73
Use the right lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward NJTPUse the slight right lane.
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 sub-two-hour drive, you have a great deal of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, given the reliance on major arteries like the New Jersey Turnpike, try to avoid peak rush hours to ensure you maintain that 1-hour and 55-minute travel time. You won't need to plan for formal stops, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the Turnpike to avoid premium pricing at rest areas. Because the route is so efficient, you can easily make the round trip in a single day if needed. For the smoothest experience, check real-time traffic conditions for the Garden State Parkway before you leave, as congestion can fluctuate significantly on this section of the journey.
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 45.1 miles from Marlton, NJ, or about 54m 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 20 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.1 miles or 54m 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 Paterson, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Marlton, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Marlton, NJ
This is one driving day of about 90.2 miles and 1h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Marlton, 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 89.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
0.4 mi into trip|~0m in
Take the exit toward NJ 73: Palmyra, Tacony Bridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward NJ 73: Palmyra, Tacony Bridge
7
3.3 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the exit toward NJTP
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward NJTP
7
3.6 mi into trip|~6m 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
60.1 mi into trip|~1h 11m 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...
8
89.5 mi into trip|~1h 53m 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
$14.95 one way
$29.91 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$16.38
$32.76
premium
$4.93
$17.49
$34.99
diesel
$5.61
$19.92
$39.83
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
$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: 31.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.1
0
$9.47
$4.33
Efficient EV
22.6
0
$7.89
$3.61
EV Truck/SUV
36.1
0
$12.63
$5.77
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 17, 2026
Origin
Marlton, NJ
Late night
in Marlton on Sunday
Local time
12:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Paterson, NJ
Late night
in Paterson on Sunday
Local time
12:40 AM
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
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
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 90.2
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 71.6
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
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 74.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 95% of your time spent on high-speed thoroughfares. You will quickly settle into a rhythm on the New Jersey Turnpike, which hosts your longest uninterrupted stretch of 55.9 miles. The experience is defined by steady, fast-paced interstate travel rather than local meandering. As you transition between the Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway, you will notice the character of the road remains consistent and functional. It is a straightforward commute designed for speed and directness, allowing you to cover significant ground with minimal effort.
95% 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 0.4 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 90.2 miles you will encounter 20 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 0.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Marlton, NJ and Paterson, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp and Woodbridge.
Gsp
60.1 mi in|~1h 11m
Woodbridge
60.1 mi in|~1h 11m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 55m. Total distance: 90.2 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 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.
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 0.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
