Passaic, NJ to Fairton, NJ is 128.7 miles and takes about 2h 47m via New Jersey Turnpike and NJ 21, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Jersey, making it a straightforward drive between the Northeast region's urban centers. Expect a largely highway experience, so if you're looking for a quick trip with minimal fuss, this route fits the bill. With only one recommended stop and a modest driving time, it's an easy one-day commitment.
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
64.4 miles from Passaic, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
74.9 mi
1h 26m
Veterans Memorial Highway
15 mi
17m
NJ 21
11.2 mi
16m
Buck Road
7.2 mi
10m
Centerton Road
6.5 mi
9m
Pearl Street North
2.9 mi
4m
US 1
1.7 mi
2m
Grove Street
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 74.9 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Passaic, NJ and Fairton, NJ.
1
Start on Passaic Avenue
95 ft·9 sec·Passaic Avenue
2
Turn left onto CR 618
0.4 mi·41 sec·Paulison Avenue
3
Turn right onto CR 601
508 ft·8 sec·Main Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward NJ 21 South
5
Merge onto NJ 21
11 mi·16 min·NJ 21
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto US 1; US 9
0.2 mi·17 sec·US 1; US 9
7
Continue on US 1; US 9
1.5 mi·2 min·US 1; US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
9
Continue on NJ 81
1.1 mi·2 min·NJ 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
315 ft·7 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: TrentonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
12
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
50 mi·57 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP
25 mi·29 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Toward NJTP South: Camden, Wilmington
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Exit 3Toward NJ 168: Camden, Atlantic City ExpresswayUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward NJ 168 North: Camden, PhiladelphiaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto NJ 168
0.3 mi·44 sec·Black Horse Pike
17
Turn left onto CR 659
0.4 mi·1 min·West Browning Road
Use the left lane.
18
Turn slight left onto CR 753
0.8 mi·2 min·Creek Road
19
Turn left onto Harding Avenue
0.2 mi·21 sec·Harding Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·15 sec
21
Merge onto NJ 42
0.9 mi·1 min·North-South Freeway
22
Keep slight right at fork onto NJ 55
15 mi·17 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward NJ 55 South: Glassboro, VinelandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 45Toward CR 553: Clayton, Glassboro, CentertonUse the slight right lane.
24
Turn right onto CR 553
7.2 mi·10 min·Buck Road
25
Turn left onto CR 553
1.8 mi·2 min·Centerton Road
26
Continue on CR 540; CR 553
4.8 mi·7 min·Centerton Road
27
Turn slight right onto NJ 56
0.1 mi·15 sec·Landis Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
28
Turn slight left onto NJ 77
2.9 mi·4 min·Pearl Street North
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on CR 609S
1.6 mi·2 min·Grove Street
30
Continue on CR 609
1.6 mi·2 min·Bridgeton Fairton Road
31
Arrive at destination
CR 553
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 128.7-mile drive, consider leaving Passaic in the morning to avoid peak traffic. The total duration is under 3 hours, so you can comfortably complete it in one day. With a fuel cost estimate of $24, plan your stops accordingly, especially since the longest stretch without a major exit is 74.9 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach that point. Since it's a relatively short trip, you have flexibility in timing your single recommended stop.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 64.4 miles from Passaic, NJ, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.9 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 28 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.4 miles or 1h 21m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairton, 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.
+
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 Passaic, NJ
This is one driving day of about 128.7 miles and 2h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Passaic, 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 New Jersey Turnpike for about 74.9 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.9 and 108.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
14.9 mi into trip|~23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
8
90.3 mi into trip|~1h 51m in
Take the exit toward NJ 168: Camden, Atlantic City Expressway
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 3
Toward NJ 168: Camden, Atlantic City Expressway
8
90.7 mi into trip|~1h 51m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 168 North: Camden, Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 168 North: Camden, Philadelphia
8
93.5 mi into trip|~1h 58m in|NJ 55 / Veterans Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto NJ 55 / Veterans Memorial Highway toward NJ 55 South: Glassboro, Vineland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 55 South: Glassboro, Vineland
8
108.5 mi into trip|~2h 15m in
Take the exit toward CR 553: Clayton, Glassboro, Centerton
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 45
Toward CR 553: Clayton, Glassboro, Centerton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.76 one way
$45.52 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$24.93
$49.86
premium
$5.24
$26.57
$53.14
diesel
$5.35
$27.11
$54.22
Estimated Tolls: $10.49
New Jersey Turnpike
(74.9 mi)$10.49
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
$23
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.6
0
$13.51
$6.18
Efficient EV
32.2
0
$11.26
$5.15
EV Truck/SUV
51.5
0
$18.02
$8.24
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Passaic, NJ
Afternoon
in Passaic on Wednesday
Local time
4:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Isolated Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
NW 3 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Fairton, NJ
Afternoon
in Fairton on Wednesday
Local time
4:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Partly Cloudy
W 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
76°F
Bristol, PA
64 mi in
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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 47m 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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
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...
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 17.8
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...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 13.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily highway, with 70% of the 128.7 miles on major roadways. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of highway at 74.9 miles along the New Jersey Turnpike. Expect to see a higher density of exits and merging traffic on the highway portions, before transitioning to surface roads like NJ 21 later in the trip. The profile is mostly highway, indicating a consistent driving pace for much of the route.
70% 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: 74.9 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 Veterans Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 128.7 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 14.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
139 ft9 ft
Total Climb
249 ft
Total Descent
334 ft
Highest Point
139 ft
~27.6 mi in
Elevation Range
129 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 Fairton, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp South: Trenton, Njtp South: Camden, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Vineland and Cr 553: Clayton - among others.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 47m. Total distance: 128.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 74.9 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $10.49 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.
Yes — we found about 14 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Fairton, 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. There are 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area (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 Fairton, NJ before heading back.
