Spanning 96.7 miles, this route connects Paterson to Haddon Heights in roughly 2 hours and 4 minutes. Because the entire journey is located within the Northeast region of New Jersey, you can easily complete this trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $16 on fuel for the excursion, making it a cost-effective option for travel between the northern and southern parts of the state. You will rely heavily on major thoroughfares like the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, and I-295 to navigate the distance efficiently. It is a straightforward, highway-focused drive designed for those who prioritize speed and directness over scenic detours. If you are looking for a practical way to traverse the state, this route offers a reliable and predictable timeline.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.4 miles from Paterson, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
55.9 mi
1h 4m
Garden State Parkway
23.8 mi
33m
I 295
6.4 mi
7m
Garden State Parkway Southbound
2.3 mi
3m
NJ 19
2 mi
2m
White Horse Pike
0.9 mi
2m
NJ 73
0.5 mi
<1m
Station Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 55.9 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paterson, NJ and Haddon Heights, 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
17 mi·19 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Toward NJTP South: Camden, Wilmington
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·55 sec
Exit 4Toward NJ 73: Mount Laurel, Camden
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward NJ 73 North: CamdenUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto NJ 73
0.5 mi·42 sec·NJ 73
Use the slight right lane.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 295 South: Delaware Memorial Bridge
22
Merge onto I 295
6.4 mi·7 min·I 295
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 29Toward US 30: Barrington, Haddon Heights, CollingswoodUse the slight right lane.
24
Turn left onto CR 666
118 ft·2 sec·Copley Road
25
Continue on CR 666
0.2 mi·19 sec·Copley Road
26
Turn right onto US 30
0.9 mi·2 min·White Horse Pike
Use the right lane.
27
Turn left onto CR 656
0.5 mi·1 min·Station Avenue
Use the left lane.
28
Turn left onto CR 655
497 ft·19 sec·10th Avenue
29
Turn sharp right onto CR 654
0.1 mi·17 sec·Prospect Ridge Boulevard
30
Arrive at destination
CR 654
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively quick trip, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. However, given the heavy reliance on the New Jersey Turnpike and connecting interstates, aim to avoid peak rush hours to ensure you maintain that 2-hour and 4-minute estimate. Because there are no scheduled stops required by the route, you can easily manage the 96.7 miles in one go without the need for complex planning. Keep your $16 fuel budget in mind when filling up, as prices can fluctuate significantly along these major corridors. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to keep your toll transponder ready, as you will be navigating some of the busiest toll roads in the state throughout your journey.
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 48.4 miles from Paterson, NJ, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.9 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 21 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.4 miles or 1h 5m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Haddon Heights, 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 96.7 miles and 2h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Paterson, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New Jersey Turnpike for about 55.9 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 29.4 and 94.8 — 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
7
87.4 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 73 North: Camden
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 73 North: Camden
8
94.8 mi into trip|~1h 59m in
Take the exit toward US 30: Barrington, Haddon Heights, Collingswood
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 29
Toward US 30: Barrington, Haddon Heights, Colli...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.03 one way
$32.06 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$17.56
$35.12
premium
$4.93
$18.75
$37.51
diesel
$5.61
$21.35
$42.70
Estimated Tolls: $9.40
New Jersey Turnpike
(55.9 mi)$7.83
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
$16
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: 33.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29
0
$10.15
$4.64
Efficient EV
24.2
0
$8.46
$3.87
EV Truck/SUV
38.7
0
$13.54
$6.19
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Paterson, NJ
Night
in Paterson on Saturday
Local time
10:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Haddon Heights, NJ
Night
in Haddon Heights on Saturday
Local time
10:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°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 4m 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.
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: Limited Amphitheater Accessibility
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...
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
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 16.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient experience, as 94% of this drive is spent on highways. The journey is defined by a fast-paced interstate grind rather than winding local roads, allowing you to cover ground quickly. Your longest uninterrupted segment occurs on the New Jersey Turnpike, where you will spend 55.9 miles focused on steady highway driving. As you transition between the Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, and I-295, the character of the road remains consistent and functional. While it may lack the variety of secondary roads, the high highway percentage ensures a predictable pace for the duration of your trip.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.9 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 25 significant decision points across 96.7 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
167 ft38 ft
Total Climb
228 ft
Total Descent
244 ft
Highest Point
167 ft
~6.9 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.
Between Paterson, NJ and Haddon Heights, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp, Philadelphia, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy, Njtp: New York City and Njtp South: Trenton - among others.
Njtp
29.4 mi in|~41m|via Exit 129
Philadelphia
29.4 mi in|~41m|via Exit 129
Woodbridge
29.4 mi in|~41m|via Exit 129
Perth Amboy
29.4 mi in|~41m|via Exit 129
Njtp: New York City
29.8 mi in|~42m
Njtp South: Trenton
30.4 mi in|~43m
Njtp South: Camden
70.1 mi in|~1h 30m|via NJTP
Wilmington
70.1 mi in|~1h 30m|via NJTP
Camden
86.9 mi in|~1h 49m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 4m. Total distance: 96.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.9 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.40 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 Haddon Heights, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 Haddon Heights, NJ before heading back.
