The drive from Passaic, NJ to Salem, NJ covers 125.8 miles and takes about 2h 33m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on New Jersey Turnpike, NJ 21, North Broadway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mostly highway.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 100.5 miles on New Jersey Turnpike.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.02 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
62.9 miles from Passaic, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
100.5 mi
1h 56m
NJ 21
11.2 mi
16m
North Broadway
5.4 mi
7m
South Broadway
2.6 mi
2m
US 1
1.7 mi
2m
NJ 81
1.1 mi
2m
West Broadway
0.5 mi
<1m
Paulison Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 100.5 mi, about 1h 56m
Traffic on I-295
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 80 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,038 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,800
Quietest
2 AM
~285 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Passaic, NJ and Salem, 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
49 mi·56 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Toward NJTP South: Camden, Wilmington
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
15
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·23 sec·this road
16
Merge onto NJTP
2.0 mi·2 min·New Jersey Turnpike
17
Merge onto I 295; US 40
0.2 mi·15 sec·I 295; US 40
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi·34 sec
Exit 1Toward NJ 49 East: Pennsville, SalemUse the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on US 130
5.4 mi·7 min·North Broadway
20
Continue on NJ 49
0.3 mi·20 sec·Broadway Road
21
Continue on NJ 49
2.6 mi·2 min·South Broadway
22
Continue on NJ 49
0.2 mi·20 sec·Front Street
23
Turn left onto NJ 49
0.5 mi·38 sec·West Broadway
24
Arrive at destination
1 ft·0 sec·NJ 49
Trip Plan
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 62.9 miles from Passaic, NJ, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.5 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 62.9 miles or 1h 19m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Salem, 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 125.8 miles and 2h 33m.
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 100.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 62.9 miles from Passaic, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before New Jersey Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 116.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in|NJ 21
Merge onto NJ 21
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
9
116.6 mi into trip|~2h 21m in
Take the exit toward NJ 49 East: Pennsville, Salem
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 1
Toward NJ 49 East: Pennsville, Salem
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.02 one way
$42.04 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.67
$23.13
$46.27
premium
$5.01
$24.82
$49.65
diesel
$5.60
$27.73
$55.46
Estimated Tolls: $14.07
New Jersey Turnpike
(100.5 mi)$14.07
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
$21
Tolls
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.7
0
$13.21
$6.04
Efficient EV
31.5
0
$11.01
$5.03
EV Truck/SUV
50.3
0
$17.61
$8.05
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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 Sep 2, 2026
Origin
Passaic, NJ
Late night
in Passaic on Wednesday
Local time
2:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
NE 2 to 6 mph88% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued September 1 at 9:19PM EDT until September 2 at 1:15AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued September 1 at 9:18PM EDT until September 1 at 9:45PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Salem, NJ
Late night
in Salem on Wednesday
Local time
2:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
E 0 to 5 mph38% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued September 1 at 9:19PM EDT until September 2 at 1:15AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued September 1 at 9:18PM EDT until September 1 at 9:45PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
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
5 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
2h 33m 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
Park Closure: Street Closures and Alternative Parking Locations Sept. 3 - Sept. 7
Park Closure: Closure of Footbridges Thursday September 3, 2026
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 17.4
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
125.8 mi in 2h 33m, mostly highway — 100.5 mi of that is on New Jersey Turnpike.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 100.5 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 NJ 21. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near NJ 21.
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 15 significant decision points across 125.8 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 0.7 miles (NJ 21): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
148 ft14 ft
Total Climb
236 ft
Total Descent
333 ft
Highest Point
148 ft
~27 mi in
Elevation Range
134 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 Salem, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp South: Trenton, Njtp South: Camden and Wilmington.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 33m. Total distance: 125.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 100.5 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $14.07 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.
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 Salem, 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 0.7 miles (NJ 21): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Salem, NJ before heading back.
