Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 58m
Distance
91.7 mi
148 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Paterson, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Ellisburg, NJ
Garrison Gao
Paterson to Ellisburg is 91.7 miles and takes about 1 hour 58 minutes via the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway Southbound, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This journey stays within the Northeast region, specifically entirely within New Jersey. Expect a drive that is predominantly on major highways, making it a straightforward trip. It's a good option if you need to cover this distance efficiently, as it prioritizes speed over leisurely exploration. Given its short duration, it's easily achievable in a single day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.9 miles from Paterson, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike | 55.9 mi | 1h 4m |
| Garden State Parkway | 23.8 mi | 33m |
| Garden State Parkway Southbound | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| NJ 19 | 2 mi | 2m |
| North Kings Highway | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Church Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Fellowship Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Exit 129 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Paterson, NJ and Ellisburg, NJ.
Start on Colt Street
Turn right onto Ellison Street
Turn right onto Memorial Drive
Turn right
Turn straight onto Ward Street
Continue on NJ 19
Turn slight left onto NJ 19
Take the exit
Merge onto GSP
Continue on Garden State Parkway
Take the exit onto Exit 129
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto NJ 73
Turn left onto CR 673
Turn right onto CR 616
Turn left onto NJ 41
Continue on NJ 41; NJ 154
Continue on NJ 41
At end of road, turn right onto Kings Highway South
Turn left
Turn right
At end of road, turn right onto NJ 70
Arrive at destination
Leaving Paterson in the morning should help you avoid some of the heavier traffic often found on these major New Jersey arteries. With a drive time under two hours, you won't need to plan for extensive stops; however, there are ample service areas along both the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway should you need fuel or a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without exiting is nearly 56 miles. Given the efficiency of this route, you have the flexibility to depart at a time that best suits your schedule.
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.
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 20 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.9 miles or 1h 2m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ellisburg, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Paterson, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Paterson, NJ
This is one driving day of about 91.7 miles and 1h 58m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
46 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.
A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 45.9 miles from Paterson, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 29.4 and 91.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
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
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
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 73 North: Camden
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
At end of road, turn right onto Kings Highway South
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$15.20 one way
$30.41 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $16.65 | $33.30 |
| premium | $4.93 | $17.78 | $35.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.25 | $40.49 |
Estimated Tolls: $9.40
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
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.5 | 0 | $9.63 | $4.40 |
| Efficient EV | 22.9 | 0 | $8.02 | $3.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 36.7 | 0 | $12.84 | $5.87 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Paterson on Saturday
Local time
10:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Night in Ellisburg on Saturday
Local time
10:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This route is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with 92% of the drive on major roads. You'll spend a significant amount of time on the New Jersey Turnpike, including one uninterrupted stretch of 55.9 miles. The Garden State Parkway Southbound continues this theme of consistent highway travel. The personality of this drive is one of steady progress, designed for getting from point A to point B without much deviation. You can anticipate a consistent driving experience for the majority of the trip.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. 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.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 91.7 miles you will encounter 24 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 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.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Paterson, NJ and Ellisburg, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp, Philadelphia, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy, Njtp: New York City and Njtp South: Trenton - among others.
Njtp
Philadelphia
Woodbridge
Perth Amboy
Njtp: New York City
Njtp South: Trenton
Njtp South: Camden
Wilmington
Camden
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 58m. Total distance: 91.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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