Traveling from North Cape May to Passaic covers 159.9 miles of Northeast New Jersey, typically taking about 3 hours and 18 minutes. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused journey, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $26 for fuel to complete the transit. By utilizing the Garden State Parkway as your primary artery, you can move efficiently between the southern tip of the state and the northern region. Whether you are heading north for business or a visit, this route offers a predictable and direct path across the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
79.9 miles from North Cape May, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
150.9 mi
3h 2m
Lincoln Boulevard
1.4 mi
1m
Bloomfield Avenue
1.3 mi
2m
Sandman Boulevard
1.1 mi
1m
Broadway
1 mi
1m
Shore Road
0.6 mi
1m
Pacific Avenue
0.5 mi
2m
West Passaic Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 150.9 mi, about 3h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Cape May, NJ and Passaic, NJ.
1
Start on Pacific Avenue
0.5 mi·2 min·Pacific Avenue
2
At end of road, turn left onto Lincoln Boulevard
1.4 mi·1 min·Lincoln Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on US 9
1.1 mi·1 min·Sandman Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto NJ 109
0.6 mi·1 min·Shore Road
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward GSP NorthUse the straight lane.
6
Merge onto GSP
19 mi·21 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·31 sec
8
Merge onto GSP
34 mi·39 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
50 mi·58 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·31 sec
11
Continue on GSP
48 mi·1 hr 2 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 151Toward Montclair, NutleyUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn right onto CR 655
483 ft·15 sec·Watchung Avenue
14
At end of road, turn left onto CR 652
0.4 mi·45 sec·East Passaic Avenue
15
Turn right onto CR 622
0.5 mi·52 sec·West Passaic Avenue
16
Turn left onto CR 622
411 ft·7 sec·Darling Avenue
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on CR 622
0.4 mi·37 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Enter roundabout onto CR 622
173 ft·3 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
19
Continue on CR 622
0.5 mi·52 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
20
Continue on CR 622
0.2 mi·21 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
21
Continue on CR 622
0.2 mi·17 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
22
Continue on CR 622
1.0 mi·1 min·Broadway
23
Turn right onto CR 618
0.2 mi·23 sec·Paulison Avenue
24
Turn left onto Passaic Avenue
95 ft·2 sec·Passaic Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
Passaic Avenue
Trip Plan
Since the trip is manageable in one stint, you only need to plan for one scheduled stop to keep yourself refreshed. Aim to depart outside of peak commuting hours to ensure you maintain that 3-hour and 18-minute estimated travel time. Because the Garden State Parkway serves as your primary route for the bulk of the 159.9 miles, keep an eye on real-time traffic updates to adjust for any congestion near the northern interchanges. With a fuel budget of $26, filling up before you merge onto the long 150.9-mile stretch of the Parkway is a smart way to avoid mid-trip detours for gas. Use this flexibility to time your arrival in Passaic exactly when you need to be there.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 79.9 miles from North Cape May, NJ, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 150.9 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 35 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.9 miles or 1h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 38m
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 North Cape May, 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 North Cape May, NJ
This is one driving day of about 159.9 miles and 3h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from North Cape May, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 150.9 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 156 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.5 mi into trip|~2m in|Lincoln Boulevard
At end of road, turn left onto Lincoln Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
3.7 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward GSP North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward GSP North
5
4.2 mi into trip|~8m in|GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
6
57.3 mi into trip|~1h 9m in|GSP / Garden State Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
156 mi into trip|~3h 11m in
Take the exit toward Montclair, Nutley
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 151
Toward Montclair, Nutley
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.51 one way
$53.02 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$29.03
$58.07
premium
$4.93
$31.01
$62.02
diesel
$5.61
$35.30
$70.61
Estimated Tolls: $9.05
Garden State Parkway
(150.9 mi)$9.05
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
$27
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48
0
$16.79
$7.68
Efficient EV
40
0
$13.99
$6.40
EV Truck/SUV
64
0
$22.39
$10.23
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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 13, 2026
Origin
North Cape May, NJ
Night
in North Cape May on Saturday
Local time
9:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Passaic, NJ
Night
in Passaic on Saturday
Local time
9:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 10 to 21 mph9% 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
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
3h 18m 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.
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...
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 159.9
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 143.3
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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 115.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed, interstate-dominant experience, as 94% of your journey is spent on major highways. The vast majority of your time behind the wheel—specifically 150.9 miles—will be spent on the Garden State Parkway, creating a long, uninterrupted stretch of driving. Toward the end of your trip, you will transition off the Parkway onto Lincoln Boulevard and Bloomfield Avenue to reach your final destination in Passaic. While the ride is efficient and fast-paced, be prepared for the change in environment as you shift from the open, high-speed flow of the Parkway into the more localized traffic patterns of the northern suburbs.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 150.9 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 Lincoln Boulevard. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near Lincoln Boulevard.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 159.9 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 0.5 miles (Lincoln Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
223 ft8 ft
Total Climb
275 ft
Total Descent
218 ft
Highest Point
223 ft
~119.9 mi in
Elevation Range
215 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 18m. Total distance: 159.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 18m 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 150.9 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.05 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (Lincoln Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Paterson Great Falls 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Passaic, NJ, but most travelers stay overnight.
