Origin
Paterson, NJ
Afternoon in Paterson on Sunday
Local time
4:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Paterson, NJ to Somerset, NJ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 2m
Distance
41 mi
66 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 58m
★
6 AM
1h 3m
8 AM
1h 13m
10 AM
1h 6m
12 PM
1h 5m
3 PM
1h 7m
5 PM
1h 12m
8 PM
1h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Paterson, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Somerset, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Paterson, NJ to Somerset, NJ is 41 miles and takes about 1 hour 2 minutes via Garden State Parkway and US 1, with a fuel budget near $7 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Jersey, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive that's perfect for a quick transit or an easy day trip. Given its short duration and minimal stops, this route is highly adaptable to your schedule, allowing for flexibility in departure time.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 23.8 mi | 33m |
| US 1 | 6.9 mi | 10m |
| NJ 19 | 2 mi | 2m |
| Memorial Parkway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Garden State Parkway Southbound | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Franklin Boulevard | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Belmar Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| State Route 18 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 23.8 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paterson, NJ and Somerset, 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 South
Use 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
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Garden State Parkway Southbound
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 130B-A
Toward US 1: Newark, Trenton
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 130B
Toward US 1 South: Trenton
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto US 1
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
US 1
14
Continue on US 1
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on US 1
4.7 mi
·
7 min
·
US 1
Use the slight right lane.
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward NJ 18: New Brunswick, East Brunswick
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
Toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick, Piscataway
Use the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto NJ 18; CR 527
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
State Route 18
19
Continue on NJ 18
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward Easton Avenue, So Bound Brook
Use the slight right lane.
21
Turn straight onto (672)
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
George Street
22
Turn left onto CR 609
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
Landing Lane
23
Continue on CR 617
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Franklin Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn right onto Belmar Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Belmar Street
25
At end of road, turn left onto Abbott Road
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
·
Abbott Road
26
Turn left onto West Point Avenue
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
West Point Avenue
27
Arrive at destination
West Point Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.5 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 28.4 and 38.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
28.4 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Take the exit toward US 1: Newark, 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 130B-A
Toward US 1: Newark, Trenton
9
28.7 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 1 South: Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 130B
Toward US 1 South: Trenton
7
35.9 mi into trip
|
~52m in
Take the exit toward NJ 18: New Brunswick, East Brunswick
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward NJ 18: New Brunswick, East Brunswick
9
36 mi into trip
|
~52m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick, Piscataway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick, Piscataway
7
38.4 mi into trip
|
~55m in
Take the exit toward Easton Avenue, So Bound Brook
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Easton Avenue, So Bound Brook
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.80 one way
$13.59 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $7.44 | $14.89 |
| premium | $4.93 | $7.95 | $15.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.05 | $18.10 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.51
Garden State Parkway
(25.1 mi)
$1.51
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Tolls
$2
Total
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.31 | $1.97 |
| Efficient EV | 10.3 | 0 | $3.59 | $1.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.4 | 0 | $5.74 | $2.62 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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.
Destination
Somerset, NJ
Afternoon in Somerset on Sunday
Local time
4:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 2m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll find this drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 88% of the journey on faster roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 23.8 miles on the Garden State Parkway. Expect a consistent driving experience with limited changes in road type, making it predictable and efficient. This route prioritizes direct travel over scenic detours, allowing you to cover ground quickly and with minimal complexity.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 23.8 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and US 1. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 28.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 41 miles you will encounter 18 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 28.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Somerset, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp South, Trenton, Brunswick, Piscataway and So Bound Brook.
Gsp South
2.8 mi in
|
~4m
Trenton
28.4 mi in
|
~40m
Brunswick
35.9 mi in
|
~52m
Piscataway
36 mi in
|
~52m
So Bound Brook
38.4 mi in
|
~55m
About the Cities
Arriving in Somerset, NJ
Full guide →Somerset is a town in Somerset County, New Jersey.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 2m. Total distance: 41 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 23.8 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.51 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.
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 Somerset, 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: at 28.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Somerset, NJ before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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