Passaic, NJ to Dover Beaches South, NJ is 74.3 miles and takes about 1h 44m via the Garden State Parkway, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, specifically within New Jersey, making it a straightforward drive. With over 80% of the route on the highway, expect a direct and efficient path. This is a good option if you're looking for a relatively quick trip to the southern New Jersey coast, especially if you want to maximize your time at your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.1 miles from Passaic, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
47.3 mi
59m
Garden State Parkway Southbound
6.2 mi
8m
West Central Avenue
3.5 mi
5m
Ocean Avenue
3.5 mi
8m
NJ 35
3.4 mi
5m
NJ 34
3.3 mi
3m
Bloomfield Avenue
1.4 mi
2m
Anna O Hankins Boulevard
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 47.3 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Passaic, NJ and Dover Beaches South, NJ.
1
Start on Passaic Avenue
95 ft·7 sec·Passaic Avenue
2
Turn right onto CR 618
0.2 mi·20 sec·Paulison Avenue
3
Turn left onto CR 622
1.0 mi·1 min·Broadway
4
Continue on CR 622
0.2 mi·17 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
5
Continue on CR 622
0.2 mi·20 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
6
Continue on CR 622
0.6 mi·55 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
Use the left lane.
7
Enter roundabout onto CR 622
160 ft·2 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
8
Continue on CR 622
0.4 mi·37 sec·Bloomfield Avenue
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on CR 622
411 ft·9 sec·Darling Avenue
10
Turn right onto CR 622
0.5 mi·50 sec·West Passaic Avenue
11
Continue on CR 652
0.4 mi·50 sec·East Passaic Avenue
12
Turn right onto CR 655
0.2 mi·31 sec·Watchung Avenue
13
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward GSP Toll South
14
Merge onto GSP
20 mi·28 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on Garden State Parkway
6.2 mi·8 min·Garden State Parkway Southbound
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi·49 sec·Garden State Parkway
17
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
27 mi·30 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 98Toward NJ 138 East, I 195 West, NJ 34: Belmar, TrentonUse the slight right lane.
Given this is a short, single-day trip of under two hours, you have a lot of flexibility in when you depart. Leaving Passaic in the morning, perhaps before 9 AM, should help you avoid the heaviest local traffic. The longest continuous stretch without a major change in road type is over 47 miles, so plan for a brief stop around the halfway point if needed for a stretch or to refuel, though the estimated fuel cost is quite low at $12. Keep an eye on the Garden State Parkway's traffic advisories, especially if traveling during peak beach season.
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 37.1 miles from Passaic, NJ, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.3 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 16 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.1 miles or 51m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dover Beaches South, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Passaic, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Passaic, NJ
This is one driving day of about 74.3 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Passaic, 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 47.3 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.8 and 58.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.8 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the ramp toward GSP Toll South
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward GSP Toll South
6
30.9 mi into trip|~44m in|GSP / Garden State Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
57.5 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Take the exit toward NJ 138 East, I 195 West, NJ 34: Belmar, Trenton
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 98
Toward NJ 138 East, I 195 West, NJ 34: Belmar,...
6
58.1 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 34 South, NJ 34 North, I 195 West: Brielle, Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 34 South: Brielle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward NJ 34 South: Brielle
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.77 one way
$25.54 round trip
$4.37/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.79
$14.01
$28.02
premium
$5.13
$15.00
$29.99
diesel
$5.97
$17.45
$34.91
Estimated Tolls: $3.20
Garden State Parkway
(53.5 mi)$3.20
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
$13
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-09-07.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.3
0
$7.80
$3.57
Efficient EV
18.6
0
$6.50
$2.97
EV Truck/SUV
29.7
0
$10.40
$4.76
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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 Sep 11, 2026
Origin
Passaic, NJ
Morning
in Passaic on Saturday
Local time
7:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dover Beaches South, NJ
Morning
in Dover Beaches South on Saturday
Local time
7:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°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
1 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 44m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 81% of the 74.3 miles on the Garden State Parkway. You'll experience a long stretch of 47.3 miles on the Parkway before transitioning to West Central Avenue. Expect a relatively continuous cruising experience for the majority of the trip, with the highway section likely featuring consistent traffic flow and fewer exits compared to surface roads.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 47.3 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Garden State Parkway Southbound. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 74.3 miles you will encounter 17 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 3.8 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 30.9 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 57.5 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
212 ft3 ft
Total Climb
393 ft
Total Descent
501 ft
Highest Point
212 ft
~42.4 mi in
Elevation Range
209 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Passaic, NJ and Dover Beaches South, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp Toll South and Trenton.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 44m. Total distance: 74.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 47.3 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.20 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 Dover Beaches South, 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 3.8 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 30.9 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 57.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Dover Beaches South, NJ before heading back.
