Paterson to Fairton is 133.8 miles and takes about 2 hours 55 minutes via the New Jersey Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within New Jersey, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Expect a straightforward drive that's mostly on major highways, making it a convenient option for getting from one part of the state to another efficiently. It's a good choice if you're looking for a quick transit rather than a scenic detour.
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
66.9 miles from Paterson, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
64.4 mi
1h 14m
Garden State Parkway
23.8 mi
33m
Veterans Memorial Highway
15 mi
17m
Buck Road
7.2 mi
10m
Centerton Road
6.5 mi
9m
Pearl Street North
2.9 mi
4m
Garden State Parkway Southbound
2.3 mi
3m
NJ 19
2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 64.4 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paterson, NJ and Fairton, 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
39 mi·45 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP
25 mi·29 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Toward NJTP South: Camden, Wilmington
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Exit 3Toward NJ 168: Camden, Atlantic City ExpresswayUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward NJ 168 North: Camden, PhiladelphiaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Turn straight onto NJ 168
0.3 mi·44 sec·Black Horse Pike
21
Turn left onto CR 659
0.4 mi·1 min·West Browning Road
Use the left lane.
22
Turn slight left onto CR 753
0.8 mi·2 min·Creek Road
23
Turn left onto Harding Avenue
0.2 mi·21 sec·Harding Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·15 sec
25
Merge onto NJ 42
0.9 mi·1 min·North-South Freeway
26
Keep slight right at fork onto NJ 55
15 mi·17 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward NJ 55 South: Glassboro, VinelandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 45Toward CR 553: Clayton, Glassboro, CentertonUse the slight right lane.
28
Turn right onto CR 553
7.2 mi·10 min·Buck Road
29
Turn left onto CR 553
1.8 mi·2 min·Centerton Road
30
Continue on CR 540; CR 553
4.8 mi·7 min·Centerton Road
31
Turn slight right onto NJ 56
0.1 mi·15 sec·Landis Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
32
Turn slight left onto NJ 77
2.9 mi·4 min·Pearl Street North
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Continue on CR 609S
1.6 mi·2 min·Grove Street
34
Continue on CR 609
1.6 mi·2 min·Bridgeton Fairton Road
35
Arrive at destination
CR 553
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour 55 minute duration and 133.8 mile distance, leaving Paterson in the morning should allow you to reach Fairton with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace the drive. Keep an eye on your fuel as the estimated cost is $21, and plan your last fill-up accordingly before hitting the longest stretch on the New Jersey Turnpike. The route's predominantly highway nature means you'll encounter many exits, so pay close attention to your navigation as you approach your destination.
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 66.9 miles from Paterson, NJ, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.4 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 29 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.9 miles or 1h 26m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairton, 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 133.8 miles and 2h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 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 64.4 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 29.4 and 95.8 — 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
95.4 mi into trip|~1h 59m in
Take the exit toward NJ 168: Camden, Atlantic City Expressway
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 3
Toward NJ 168: Camden, Atlantic City Expressway
8
95.8 mi into trip|~2h in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 168 North: Camden, Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 168 North: Camden, Philadelphia
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.33 one way
$42.67 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$23.61
$47.22
premium
$4.81
$25.33
$50.65
diesel
$4.80
$25.26
$50.53
Estimated Tolls: $10.58
New Jersey Turnpike
(64.4 mi)$9.01
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
$21
Tolls
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.1
0
$14.05
$6.42
Efficient EV
33.5
0
$11.71
$5.35
EV Truck/SUV
53.5
0
$18.73
$8.56
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Paterson, NJ
Night
in Paterson on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fairton, NJ
Night
in Fairton on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
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
13 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
2h 55m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is largely highway, with 70% of the drive on major roads like the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. You'll encounter a continuous stretch of 64.4 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike, which means you'll be navigating a high-speed environment with frequent exits for a significant portion of the trip. After the highway sections conclude, you'll transition to Veterans Memorial Highway for the remainder of the drive.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.4 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 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.
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 26 significant decision points across 133.8 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 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
138 ft18 ft
Total Climb
245 ft
Total Descent
303 ft
Highest Point
138 ft
~47.8 mi in
Elevation Range
120 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 Fairton, 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 55m. Total distance: 133.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.4 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $10.58 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 18 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 Fairton, 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 18 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. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Fairton, NJ before heading back.
