Ocean Acres to Passaic is 90.7 miles and takes about 1 hour 57 minutes via Garden State Parkway, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This northeastern New Jersey drive is primarily highway-focused, making it a quick trip between the shore area and the northern part of the state. With 92% of the drive on highways, expect a straightforward journey. The route is best suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. Given the relatively short duration and the direct highway path, this trip is ideal for a quick transit.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.4 miles from Ocean Acres, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
83.7 mi
1h 44m
Nautilus Drive
1.8 mi
4m
Bloomfield Avenue
1.3 mi
2m
Broadway
1 mi
1m
West Bay Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
West Passaic Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
East Passaic Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
Paulison Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 83.7 mi, about 1h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ocean Acres, NJ and Passaic, NJ.
1
Start on Buccaneer Lane
332 ft·16 sec·Buccaneer Lane
2
Turn right onto (111)
1.8 mi·4 min·Nautilus Drive
3
At end of road, turn right onto CR 554
0.7 mi·1 min·West Bay Avenue
4
Turn left
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward GSP Toll NorthUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto GSP
36 mi·41 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·31 sec
7
Continue on GSP
48 mi·1 hr 2 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 151Toward Montclair, NutleyUse the slight right lane.
9
Turn right onto CR 655
483 ft·15 sec·Watchung Avenue
10
At end of road, turn left onto CR 652
0.4 mi·45 sec·East Passaic Avenue
11
Turn right onto CR 622
0.5 mi·52 sec·West Passaic Avenue
12
Turn left onto CR 622
411 ft·7 sec·Darling Avenue
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on CR 622
0.4 mi·37 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Enter roundabout onto CR 622
173 ft·3 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
15
Continue on CR 622
0.5 mi·52 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
16
Continue on CR 622
0.2 mi·21 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
17
Continue on CR 622
0.2 mi·17 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
18
Continue on CR 622
1.0 mi·1 min·Broadway
19
Turn right onto CR 618
0.2 mi·23 sec·Paulison Avenue
20
Turn left onto Passaic Avenue
95 ft·2 sec·Passaic Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
Passaic Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 57-minute duration, leaving Ocean Acres in the morning should get you to Passaic with plenty of time to spare. Since the drive is under 2 hours and mostly highway, you likely won't need many stops, but plan for at least one break on the Garden State Parkway to stretch your legs. The fuel cost is estimated at $15, so ensure your tank is full before departing to avoid any last-minute searches for gas stations. Keep an eye on traffic, especially as you get closer to the Passaic area, as local congestion can add time to the final leg.
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 45.4 miles from Ocean Acres, NJ, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.7 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 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.4 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 35m
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 Ocean Acres, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ocean Acres, NJ
This is one driving day of about 90.7 miles and 1h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Ocean Acres, 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 83.7 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.5 and 90.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.5 mi into trip|~5m in
Turn left toward GSP Toll North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward GSP Toll North
5
2.8 mi into trip|~6m in|GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
86.9 mi into trip|~1h 51m 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
5
88.1 mi into trip|~1h 53m in|CR 622 / Darling Avenue
Turn left onto CR 622 / Darling Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
90.7 mi into trip|~1h 57m in|Passaic Avenue
Turn left onto Passaic Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.04 one way
$30.07 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$16.47
$32.94
premium
$4.93
$17.59
$35.18
diesel
$5.61
$20.03
$40.05
Estimated Tolls: $5.02
Garden State Parkway
(83.7 mi)$5.02
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
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.7 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
27.2
0
$9.52
$4.35
Efficient EV
22.7
0
$7.94
$3.63
EV Truck/SUV
36.3
0
$12.70
$5.80
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 15, 2026
Origin
Ocean Acres, NJ
Late night
in Ocean Acres on Sunday
Local time
12:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Passaic, NJ
Late night
in Passaic on Sunday
Local time
12:42 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
16 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 57m 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.
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 90.7
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 75.1
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 46.9
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 92% of the 90.7 miles spent on high-speed roads. You'll be on the Garden State Parkway for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 83.7 miles, so prepare for a consistent, fast-paced journey. The primary roads include the Garden State Parkway and Bloomfield Avenue, suggesting a shift from a major parkway to a more local, but still significant, road as you approach your destination. Expect smooth sailing for most of the trip, punctuated by the transition into urban areas.
92% 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: 83.7 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Nautilus Drive. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.5 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 90.7 miles you will encounter 12 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 2.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 57m. Total distance: 90.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83.7 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.02 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 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 2.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Passaic, NJ before heading back.
