Origin
Mystic Island, NJ
Afternoon in Mystic Island on Sunday
Local time
12:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mystic Island, NJ to Paterson, NJ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 23m
Distance
108.8 mi
175 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 13m
★
6 AM
2h 23m
8 AM
2h 43m
10 AM
2h 30m
12 PM
2h 28m
3 PM
2h 31m
5 PM
2h 42m
8 PM
2h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mystic Island, NJ
Aisling Kerr
Paterson, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking on a journey from Mystic Island to Paterson, NJ, covers 108.8 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 23 minutes. This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 90% of the route utilizing major roadways, making it a convenient single-day trip. You can expect a fuel cost of around $18 for this excursion. The drive is straightforward, connecting two points within the Northeast region of the US. Given its manageable duration and highway nature, it's well-suited for a day trip, allowing for a prompt arrival without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
54.4 miles from Mystic Island, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 96.4 mi | 1h 59m |
| Radio Road | 4.3 mi | 9m |
| North Green Street | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| NJ 19 | 1.7 mi | 1m |
| Great Bay Boulevard | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Louisiana Drive | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 96.4 mi, about 1h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mystic Island, NJ and Paterson, NJ.
1
Start on Louisiana Drive
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Louisiana Drive
2
At end of road, turn right onto Radio Road
4.3 mi
·
9 min
·
Radio Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto CR 601
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
Great Bay Boulevard
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 9
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
West Main Street
5
Turn left onto CR 539
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
North Green Street
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward GSP Toll North
7
Merge onto GSP
45 mi
·
52 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
31 sec
9
Continue on GSP
52 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 155A
Toward NJ 19: Paterson
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Merge onto NJ 19
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
NJ 19
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
313 ft
·
7 sec
Toward I 80 West: Grand Street, Del Water Gap
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
Toward Grand Street
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto CR 638
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Grand Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn left onto CR 509
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
Main Street
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn right onto CR 648
453 ft
·
15 sec
·
Market Street
17
Turn left onto Colt Street
42 ft
·
3 sec
·
Colt Street
18
Arrive at destination
Colt Street
Trip Plan
For this 108.8-mile drive, a single day is ample, offering flexibility in your departure time. Since the majority of the route is on the Garden State Parkway, aim to depart outside of peak commuter hours to make the most of the 2 hour and 23-minute estimated travel time. With a fuel cost of approximately $18, you won't need to worry excessively about frequent stops. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on the Parkway, to ensure you have enough to reach Paterson comfortably.
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 54.4 miles from Mystic Island, NJ, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.4 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.4 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 56m
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 Mystic Island, 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 Mystic Island, NJ
This is one driving day of about 108.8 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Mystic Island, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 96.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
54 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 54.4 miles from Mystic Island, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Garden State Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 96.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 108.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Radio Road
At end of road, turn right onto Radio Road
Navigation decision point
7
105.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m 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
108.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m 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
108.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m in
|
CR 638 / Grand Street
Turn right onto CR 638 / Grand Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
108.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m in
|
CR 509 / Main Street
Turn left onto CR 509 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.04 one way
$36.08 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $19.76 | $39.51 |
| premium | $4.93 | $21.10 | $42.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.02 | $48.04 |
Estimated Tolls: $5.78
Garden State Parkway
(96.4 mi)
$5.78
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
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.1 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 | 32.6 | 0 | $11.42 | $5.22 |
| Efficient EV | 27.2 | 0 | $9.52 | $4.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43.5 | 0 | $15.23 | $6.96 |
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.
Destination
Paterson, NJ
Afternoon in Paterson on Sunday
Local time
12:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 12 mph
18% chance
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
40 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 23m 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 108.8
Caution: Limited Amphitheater Accessibility
Caution: Overlook Park Parking Lot - Vehicles Must Be Parked in a Designated Spot
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
$10
near mile 97.6
View on nps.gov
Morristown National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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 90.1
View on nps.gov
Gateway National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 63.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a highway-focused experience, with 90% of the journey on main roads. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Garden State Parkway, including a continuous stretch of 96.4 miles. While the primary roads are designed for efficiency, the transition onto local streets like Radio Road and North Green Street in the latter stages will offer a different feel. The overall character is one of steady progress, minimizing complex navigation and maximizing your time on faster-paced driving.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 96.4 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Radio Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Radio Road.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 108.8 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 0.3 miles (Radio Road): Navigation decision point; at 105.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 108.2 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Mystic Island, NJ to Paterson, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Gsp Toll North along the way.
Gsp Toll North
8.6 mi in
|
~16m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 23m. Total distance: 108.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 96.4 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.78 in tolls one way, starting with Garden State Parkway. 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 0.3 miles (Radio Road): Navigation decision point; at 105.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 108.2 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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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