Paterson to Buena is 115 miles and takes about 2h 30m via New Jersey Turnpike, US 206, and Garden State Parkway, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Jersey, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Given its relatively short distance and highway focus, it's a straightforward drive for a single day. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, making it a practical option for getting from point A to point B without significant detours. Plan for a quick trip that gets you to your destination efficiently.
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
57.5 miles from Paterson, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
36.7 mi
42m
US 206
29.8 mi
38m
Garden State Parkway
23.8 mi
33m
12th Street
6.5 mi
8m
Main Street
4.5 mi
6m
Buena-Hammonton Road
2.3 mi
2m
Garden State Parkway Southbound
2.3 mi
3m
NJ 19
2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 36.7 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paterson, NJ and Buena, NJ.
1
Start on Colt Street
216 ft·17 sec·Colt Street
2
Turn right onto Ellison Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·Ellison Street
3
Turn right onto Memorial Drive
0.1 mi·14 sec·Memorial Drive
Use the right lane.
4
Turn right
267 ft·9 sec
5
Turn straight onto Ward Street
0.3 mi·34 sec·Ward Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on NJ 19
0.2 mi·17 sec·Oliver Street
7
Turn slight left onto NJ 19
2.0 mi·2 min·NJ 19
Use the slight left lane.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward GSP SouthUse the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto GSP
24 mi·33 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Continue on Garden State Parkway
2.3 mi·3 min·Garden State Parkway Southbound
11
Take the exit onto Exit 129
0.3 mi·42 sec·Exit 129
Exit 129Toward I 95, NJTP, US 9, NJ 440, I 287: New York City, Philadelphia, Woodbridge, Perth AmboyUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·57 sec
Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, PhiladelphiaUse the slight left lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: TrentonUse the slight left lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Use the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
37 mi·42 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 7Toward US 206: Bordentown, TrentonUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 206 South: Joint Base MDLUse the slight left lane.
19
Merge onto US 206
0.2 mi·12 sec·US 206
20
Continue on US 206
7.5 mi·8 min·US 206
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 206
4.5 mi·5 min·US 206
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 206
4.5 mi·6 min·Main Street
23
Enter roundabout onto US 206
486 ft·6 sec·US 206
Toward US 206 South: Hammonton, Atlantic City
24
Continue on US 206
18 mi·23 min·US 206
Toward US 206 South: Hammonton, Atlantic CityUse the left lane.
25
Continue on NJ 54
501 ft·11 sec·Bellevue Avenue/END Route 54
Use the straight lane.
26
At end of road, turn left onto NJ 54
1.1 mi·2 min·Bellevue Avenue
27
Continue on NJ 54; CR 561
6.5 mi·8 min·12th Street
28
Continue on NJ 54
2.3 mi·2 min·Buena-Hammonton Road
29
Continue on NJ 54
0.7 mi·52 sec·Hammonton Road
30
Continue on NJ 54
1.0 mi·1 min·Blue Anchor Road
31
Turn left
189 ft·16 sec
32
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 2h 30m drive, leaving Paterson in the morning should allow you to arrive in Buena with plenty of time. Since it's a single-day trip covering 115 miles, you have flexibility with your departure time. You'll want to budget around $19 for fuel. There's only one recommended stop, so consider making it about halfway through your drive to stretch your legs before the final leg. Keep an eye on traffic, especially as you navigate the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway, as these can get busy.
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 57.5 miles from Paterson, NJ, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.7 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 25 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.5 miles or 1h 15m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buena, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Paterson, 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 Paterson, NJ
This is one driving day of about 115 miles and 2h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Paterson, 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 36.7 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 29.4 and 68.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
29.4 mi into trip|~41m in|Exit 129
Take the exit onto Exit 129 toward I 95, NJTP, US 9, NJ 440, I 287: New York City, Philadelphia, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy
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 129
Toward I 95, NJTP, US 9, NJ 440, I 287: New Yor...
8
29.8 mi into trip|~42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Philadelphia
9
30.4 mi into trip|~43m in
Keep slight left 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 lane.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
8
67.8 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward US 206: Bordentown, 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 7
Toward US 206: Bordentown, Trenton
7
68.5 mi into trip|~1h 29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 206 South: Joint Base MDL
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 206 South: Joint Base MDL
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.21 one way
$38.43 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.67
$21.15
$42.30
premium
$5.01
$22.69
$45.38
diesel
$5.60
$25.35
$50.70
Estimated Tolls: $6.71
New Jersey Turnpike
(36.7 mi)$5.14
Garden State Parkway
(26.1 mi)$1.57
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
$19
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.5
0
$12.08
$5.52
Efficient EV
28.8
0
$10.06
$4.60
EV Truck/SUV
46
0
$16.10
$7.36
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 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 31, 2026
Origin
Paterson, NJ
Night
in Paterson on Tuesday
Local time
11:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
S 2 to 6 mph83% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Buena, NJ
Night
in Buena on Tuesday
Local time
11:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 0 to 5 mph20% chanceLive forecast
81°F
Bristol, PA
58 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
3 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 30m 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...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
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...
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 19.8
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...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 15.9
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 82% of the drive on major roads. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch on the New Jersey Turnpike for 36.7 miles. The transition to surface roads happens later in the drive as you approach your destination. Expect a significant number of exits and interchanges, particularly on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway, which means you'll be merging and exiting frequently.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 36.7 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 US 206. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 29.4 miles in near Exit 129.
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 20 significant decision points across 115 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 29.4 miles (Exit 129): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
141 ft31 ft
Total Climb
278 ft
Total Descent
257 ft
Highest Point
141 ft
~8.2 mi in
Elevation Range
110 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Paterson, NJ and Buena, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp, Philadelphia, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy, Njtp: New York City and Njtp South: Trenton - among others.
For the township in the Hunter region of New South Wales, see Paterson (New South Wales).
Paterson is New Jersey's third largest city (about 155,000 inhabitants as of 2022), and hosts a great attraction: the Great Falls, which are very extensive and second only to Niagara Falls in terms of volume of water in waterfalls east of the Mississippi. Paterson is 12 miles away from Manhattan. It is an ethnically diverse city that houses large Hispanic, Arab, Italian-American, African American and Bengali communities. South Paterson is home to one of the nation's largest Arab communities.
Top landmarks
•Great Falls — waterfalls on the Passaic River
•Passaic County Court House — courthouse in Paterson, New Jersey
•Lambert Castle — historic building in Paterson, New Jersey
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 30m. Total distance: 115 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 36.7 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.71 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 16 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 Buena, 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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 29.4 miles (Exit 129): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.4 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 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 Buena, NJ before heading back.
