Origin
Paterson, NJ
Late night in Paterson on Wednesday
Local time
2:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Paterson, NJ to Wildwood, NJ
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 2, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 14m
Distance
158.7 mi
255 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 3m
★
6 AM
3h 15m
8 AM
3h 39m
10 AM
3h 23m
12 PM
3h 21m
3 PM
3h 24m
5 PM
3h 37m
8 PM
3h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Paterson, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Paterson, NJ to Wildwood, NJ is 158.7 miles and takes about 3 hours 14 minutes via Garden State Parkway Southbound, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Jersey, making it a straightforward drive. Given that 95% of the route is highway, expect a smooth and efficient journey. The relatively short duration means you can easily make this a same-day trip, leaving you more time to enjoy your destination. Plan for a single stop along the way to break up the drive.
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
79.3 miles from Paterson, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 143.2 mi | 2h 51m |
| Garden State Parkway Southbound | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| North Wildwood Boulevard | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| NJ 19 | 2 mi | 2m |
| New Jersey Avenue | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| West Spruce Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| West Anglesea Drive | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Ward Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 143.2 mi, about 2h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paterson, NJ and Wildwood, 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
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Garden State Parkway Southbound
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
Garden State Parkway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
119 mi
·
2 hr 17 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 6
Toward NJ 147: North Wildwood, Whitesboro
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto NJ 147
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
North Wildwood Boulevard
15
Continue on NJ 147; OD
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
West Spruce Avenue
16
Continue on NJ 147; OD
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
West Anglesea Drive
17
Continue on CR 621; OD
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
New Jersey Avenue
18
Turn right onto West Wildwood Avenue
142 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Wildwood Avenue
19
Turn left
38 ft
·
2 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour drive, consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the worst of the commuter rush hour. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $26, you have plenty of flexibility. The longest stretch on the Garden State Parkway is over 140 miles, so plan your one stop accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point or a bit further south. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can be spaced out on the Parkway. The final approach on North Wildwood Boulevard will involve more local traffic as you get closer to the beaches.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 79.3 miles from Paterson, NJ, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 143.2 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 35 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.3 miles or 1h 39m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wildwood, 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 158.7 miles and 3h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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 Garden State Parkway for about 143.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
79 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 79.3 miles from Paterson, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Garden State Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 143.2 miles.
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 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 152.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Ellison Street
Turn right onto Ellison Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Memorial Drive
Turn right onto Memorial Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
2.8 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the exit toward GSP South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward GSP South
6
34.1 mi into trip
|
~47m in
|
GSP / Garden State Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
152.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 5m in
Take the exit toward NJ 147: North Wildwood, Whitesboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 6
Toward NJ 147: North Wildwood, Whitesboro
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.52 one way
$53.03 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.67 | $29.18 | $58.37 |
| premium | $5.01 | $31.32 | $62.63 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $34.98 | $69.97 |
Estimated Tolls: $8.96
Garden State Parkway
(149.4 mi)
$8.96
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
$27
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.6 | 0 | $16.66 | $7.62 |
| Efficient EV | 39.7 | 0 | $13.89 | $6.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63.5 | 0 | $22.22 | $10.16 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Destination
Wildwood, NJ
Late night in Wildwood on Wednesday
Local time
2:41 AM
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
31 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
3h 14m 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?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 95% of the 158.7 miles on paved roads. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on the Garden State Parkway Southbound, including a continuous stretch of 143.2 miles. The transition to surface roads happens near the end, specifically on North Wildwood Boulevard. Expect a high volume of exits along the Parkway, requiring attention as you approach your destination.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 143.2 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Garden State Parkway Southbound. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Ellison Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 158.7 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (Ellison Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Memorial Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
247 ft
6 ft
Total Climb
340 ft
Total Descent
418 ft
Highest Point
247 ft
~45.3 mi in
Elevation Range
241 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Paterson, NJ
Full guide →Founded 1792
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
Arriving in Wildwood, NJ
Full guide →Founded 1609
Wildwood is on the Southern Shore of New Jersey. It is primarily a resort town whose population swells in the summer months (June - August) with vacationers coming mainly from New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, and Quebec. There are also a significant number of seasonal workers from Pennsylvania, Ireland and Eastern Europe. Together with the small bordering towns of North Wildwood and Wildwood Crest, Wildwood is often called "the Wildwoods." Wildwood Crest, immediately south, is the quietest and most residential of the three, offering a family-oriented alternative to the main boardwalk strip; family-run motels such as the Sea Chest Motel represent the original family-motel stock the area is known for. The season runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. July is the peak month with accommodations often booking up weeks in advance.
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 3h 14m. Total distance: 158.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 143.2 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $8.96 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Wildwood, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Ellison Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Memorial Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Wildwood, NJ, but most travelers stay overnight.
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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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