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Trip from Passaic, NJ to Medford, NJ

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 46m

Distance

82.8 mi

133 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 39m ★
6 AM
1h 47m
8 AM
2h 3m
10 AM
1h 52m
12 PM
1h 51m
3 PM
1h 53m
5 PM
2h 2m
8 PM
1h 42m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States

Passaic, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

township in Burlington County, New Jersey

Medford, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Passaic, NJ to Medford, NJ is 82.8 miles and takes about 1h 46m via New Jersey Turnpike and NJ 21, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within New Jersey, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. It's a straightforward drive focused heavily on major highways, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently. If you're looking for a quick trip with minimal fuss, this is a solid option.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

41.4 miles from Passaic, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New Jersey Turnpike 57 mi 1h 6m
NJ 21 11.2 mi 16m
Main Street 2.9 mi 4m
Mount Holly Bypass 2.8 mi 4m
Medford-Mount Holly Road 2.1 mi 3m
US 1 1.7 mi 2m
Burlington-Mount Holly Road 1.7 mi 2m
NJ 81 1.1 mi 2m
Longest stretch: New Jersey Turnpike — 57 mi, about 1h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Passaic, NJ and Medford, 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: Trenton Use 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

7.3 mi · 8 min · New Jersey Turnpike
Toward NJTP South: Camden, Wilmington
14

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 5 Toward Burlington, Mount Holly Use the right lane.
15

Continue on NJ Turnpike Exit 5

0.1 mi · 17 sec · NJ Turnpike Exit 5
16

Turn right onto CR 541

1.7 mi · 2 min · Burlington-Mount Holly Road
Use the straight lane.
17

Turn right onto CR 541

2.8 mi · 4 min · Mount Holly Bypass
Use the right lane.
18

Turn right onto CR 541

2.9 mi · 4 min · Main Street
19

Continue on CR 541

2.1 mi · 3 min · Medford-Mount Holly Road
20

Continue on CR 541

0.3 mi · 23 sec · North Main Street
21

Arrive at destination

CR 541

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of under two hours, this trip is easily completed in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aiming to leave outside of peak rush hour in both the Passaic and Medford areas will make for a smoother experience. While there are no mandated stops based on the data, you'll want to consider the 57-mile stretch on the New Jersey Turnpike; planning a quick break before or during that segment might be wise. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before heading onto the Turnpike, as it's the longest continuous road segment.

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 41.4 miles from Passaic, NJ, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57 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 18 miles or 27m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 41.4 miles or 54m 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 28m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Medford, 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 82.8 miles and 1h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Passaic, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New Jersey Turnpike for about 57 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

East Brunswick, NJ

41 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

Newark, NJ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

East Brunswick, NJ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 41.4 miles from Passaic, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Joyce Kilmer

0.1 mi from route

Molly Pitcher Service Area

0.1 mi from route

Woodrow Wilson Service Area

0.1 mi from route

Richard Stockton Travel Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Thomas Edison Service Area

0.1 mi from route

Grover Cleveland Service Area

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.2 mi from route

Rest Area

0.2 mi from route

Rest Area

0.3 mi from route

Petro Stopping Centers

0.4 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

2.4 mi from route

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 14.9 and 73 — 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
6
15 mi into trip | ~23m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
6
65 mi into trip | ~1h 21m in | NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike

Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike toward NJTP South: Camden, Wilmington

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward NJTP South: Camden, Wilmington
8
72.3 mi into trip | ~1h 30m in

Take the exit toward Burlington, Mount Holly

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Exit 5 Toward Burlington, Mount Holly
6
73 mi into trip | ~1h 31m in | CR 541 / Burlington-Mount Holly Road

Turn right onto CR 541 / Burlington-Mount Holly Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.64 one way

$29.29 round trip

$4.49/gal 25.4 MPG avg 29 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.92 $16.04 $32.08
premium $5.24 $17.09 $34.19
diesel $5.35 $17.44 $34.88

Estimated Tolls: $7.98

New Jersey Turnpike (57 mi) $7.97
Nj Turnpike (0.1 mi) $0.01

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

$8

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 29 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 24.8 0 $8.69 $3.97
Efficient EV 20.7 0 $7.25 $3.31
EV Truck/SUV 33.1 0 $11.59 $5.30

Gas CO2

29 kg

EV CO2

10 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 Jun 1, 2026

Origin

Passaic, NJ

Evening in Passaic on Wednesday

Local time

7:01 PM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Isolated Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy

NW 3 mph 16% chance Live forecast

Destination

Medford, NJ

Evening in Medford on Wednesday

Local time

7:01 PM

EDT

Current temp

57°F

Partly Cloudy

SW 0 to 5 mph 1% 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

1 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

1h 46m 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

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...

4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 near mile 8.6
Park Closure: Glenmont Mansion and Grounds Closed
View on nps.gov
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

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
View on nps.gov
Gateway National Recreation Area

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...

16 mi from route ~40 min detour Free near mile 17.1
View on nps.gov
Morristown National Historical Park

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...

19 mi from route ~47 min detour Free near mile 11.4
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 86% of the route on major roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 57 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike before transitioning to surface streets like NJ 21 and Main Street. Expect a high number of exits and merges as you navigate the Turnpike, typical for a highway-intensive trip of this nature.

86% 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: 57 mi on New Jersey Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and NJ 21. 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 Effort 9/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 82.8 miles you will encounter 13 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 14.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65 miles (NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

111 ft 10 ft

Total Climb

179 ft

Total Descent

234 ft

Highest Point

111 ft

Elevation Range

101 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 Medford, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp South: Trenton, Njtp South: Camden, Wilmington, Burlington and Mount Holly.

Njtp South: Trenton

14.9 mi in | ~23m

Njtp South: Camden

65 mi in | ~1h 21m | via NJTP

Wilmington

65 mi in | ~1h 21m | via NJTP

Burlington

72.3 mi in | ~1h 30m

Mount Holly

72.3 mi in | ~1h 30m

Detours Along the Way

Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.

Harvest Coffee

Cafe

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Accelerator Cafe

Cafe

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Cuisine: bubble_tea

In Dietro Cafe

Cafe

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Starbucks

Cafe

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Medford, NJ

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Visit website

Johnny's Pies

Restaurant

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0 mi from route

Medford

Cuisine: pizza

Visit website

Marblehead Chowder House

Restaurant

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour
Visit website

Crumb

Fast_food

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Medford, NJ

Cuisine: sandwich

1785 Farm Dog

Fast_food

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route

Medford, NJ

Gouldsburger's

Fast_food

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Cuisine: burger

Grazing Affair

Fast_food

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Cuisine: sandwich

Tremley Park

Park

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Memorial Field Park

Park

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Pulaski Park

Park

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Bicentennial Park

Park

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

North Brunswick Township Park

Park

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Bacheller Avenue Park

Park

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Pennsbury Manor State Park

Museum

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour
Visit website

Giant Troll Big Rusty

Artwork

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Flying W Motel

Motel

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

MHO Hotel Bordentown

Hotel

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Bordentown, NJ

Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.

About the Cities

Starting in Passaic, NJ

Full guide →

Founded 1679

Passaic is a city in New Jersey.

Top landmarks

  • People's Bank and Trust Company Building — historic building in Passaic City, New Jersey

Arriving in Medford, NJ

Full guide →

Medford is a city in the Delaware River region of New Jersey.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 82.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 57 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $7.98 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 12 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 Medford, 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 14.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65 miles (NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Paterson Great Falls 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 Medford, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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