Passaic, NJ to Waretown, NJ is 87.2 miles and takes about 1h 53m via Garden State Parkway, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, traveling entirely within New Jersey. Given its relatively short distance and predominantly highway profile, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion. You'll find it a straightforward drive with minimal complexity, making it an easy option for a quick trip down the Jersey Shore.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.6 miles from Passaic, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
70.7 mi
1h 27m
Garden State Parkway Southbound
6.2 mi
8m
South Main Street
3.3 mi
4m
Lacey Road
2.4 mi
4m
Bloomfield Avenue
1.4 mi
2m
Broadway
1 mi
1m
West Passaic Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
East Passaic Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 70.7 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Passaic, NJ and Waretown, 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
50 mi·58 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·59 sec
Exit 74Toward Forked RiverUse the right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
160 ft·3 sec
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Turn straight onto CR 614
2.4 mi·4 min·Lacey Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn right onto US 9
3.3 mi·4 min·South Main Street
Use the right lane.
22
Continue on US 9
0.3 mi·23 sec·US 9
23
Turn left onto CR 612
92 ft·2 sec·Bryant Road
24
Arrive at destination
CR 612
Trip Plan
Since this drive is under two hours and can be completed in a single day, you have plenty of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving mid-morning could help you avoid the worst of rush hour traffic out of Passaic. With a fuel cost estimated at $16, topping off your tank before you leave is recommended. Pay attention to the exit numbers as you get closer to Waretown, as the transition from the Garden State Parkway to local roads will be your cue to prepare for your arrival.
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 43.6 miles from Passaic, NJ, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.7 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 19 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.6 miles or 58m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waretown, 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 87.2 miles and 1h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 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 70.7 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 81.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|CR 618 / Paulison Avenue
Turn right onto CR 618 / Paulison Avenue
Navigation decision point
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.
7
80.9 mi into trip|~1h 42m in
Take the exit toward Forked River
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 74
Toward Forked River
6
81.2 mi into trip|~1h 43m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.99 one way
$29.97 round trip
$4.37/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.79
$16.44
$32.89
premium
$5.13
$17.60
$35.20
diesel
$5.97
$20.49
$40.97
Estimated Tolls: $4.61
Garden State Parkway
(76.9 mi)$4.61
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: 30.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-09-07.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.2
0
$9.16
$4.19
Efficient EV
21.8
0
$7.63
$3.49
EV Truck/SUV
34.9
0
$12.21
$5.58
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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 Aug 2, 2026
Origin
Passaic, NJ
Morning
in Passaic on Saturday
Local time
7:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Waretown, NJ
Morning
in Waretown on Saturday
Local time
7:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 10 mph6% chanceLive 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 53m 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
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...
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...
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 42.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 88% of the drive on the Garden State Parkway. You'll experience a long stretch of 70.7 miles on the Garden State Parkway Southbound before transitioning to surface streets. Expect a significant number of exits and interchanges as you navigate the highway for the majority of your travel time.
88% 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: 70.7 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 early in the drive near CR 618 / Paulison Avenue.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 87.2 miles you will encounter 16 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: near the start (CR 618 / Paulison Avenue): Navigation decision point; 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
140 ft12 ft
Total Climb
228 ft
Total Descent
327 ft
Highest Point
140 ft
~56.1 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.
On the drive from Passaic, NJ to Waretown, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Forked River along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 53m. Total distance: 87.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 70.7 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.61 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.
Yes — we found about 13 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 Waretown, 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: near the start (CR 618 / Paulison Avenue): Navigation decision point; 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.
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 Waretown, NJ before heading back.
