Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge
Near the start, short detour
Union, New Jersey
Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm
+19083966401
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 31m
Distance
118.7 mi
191 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
20 DC fast
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Paterson, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Woodstown, NJ
MINEIA MARTINS
The drive from Paterson, NJ to Woodstown, NJ covers 118.7 miles and takes about 2h 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, NJ 45 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 77.7 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.68 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
59.3 miles from Paterson, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike | 77.7 mi | 1h 29m |
| Garden State Parkway | 23.8 mi | 33m |
| NJ 45 | 5 mi | 7m |
| Tomlin Station Road | 3.8 mi | 6m |
| Garden State Parkway Southbound | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| NJ 19 | 2 mi | 2m |
| Swedesboro Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Exit 129 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Paterson, NJ and Woodstown, 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
Turn slight right
Merge onto US 322; CR 536
Turn right onto CR 607
Turn right onto NJ 45
Turn right onto US 40; NJ 45
Arrive at 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.
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 26 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.3 miles or 1h 17m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Woodstown, NJ than in the middle of the route.
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 118.7 miles and 2h 31m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 59.3 miles from Paterson, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before New Jersey Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Union, New Jersey
Near the start, short detour
Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm
+19083966401
Juany's Cafe
Fair Lawn, New Jersey
Cucina Carini
Mt Laurel Township, New Jersey
Top Coffee Stop
Montclair, New Jersey
Near the start, short detour
Hours: 7:30 am–5:30 pm
+19733586543
Near the start, short detour
Union, New Jersey
Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm
+19083966401
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Fair Lawn, New Jersey
Hours: 9 am–3 pm
+15512248030
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Mt Laurel Township, New Jersey
Hours: 12–9 pm
+18564391941
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Maplewood, New Jersey
Hours: 11 am–11 pm
+19737634460
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Totowa, New Jersey
Hours: 11:30 am–3 pm
+19735955595
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Swedesboro, New Jersey
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+18564671570
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Hours: 10:30 am–12 pm
+19083544024
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Fair Lawn, New Jersey
Hours: 9 am–8 pm
+15512248072
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Montclair, New Jersey
Hours: 7:30 am–5:30 pm
+19733586543
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Union, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Union, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18885577099
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Belleville, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Robbinsville Twp, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Cranbury, NJ
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Clark, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18774943833
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Maplewood, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Edison, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18774943833
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Pilesgrove, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18567699470
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey
Hours: 4–9 pm
+16092005690
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Woodstown, New Jersey
Hours: Closed
+18563815663
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey
Hours: 5 am–10 pm
+18564953080
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+18562162117
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Haddonfield, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+16093136648
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Woodbridge, New Jersey
Hours: 6 am–6 pm
+17327453900
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Pilesgrove, New Jersey
Hours: 12–9 pm
+18567699463
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 108.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto Memorial Drive
Lane positioning matters here
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
Take the exit toward US 322: Swedesboro, Glassboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$19.68 one way
$39.36 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $21.55 | $43.11 |
| premium | $4.93 | $23.02 | $46.04 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.21 | $52.41 |
Estimated Tolls: $12.45
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
$20
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
20 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Dunkin' Donuts - Tesla Supercharger
Paramus, NJ
12 DCFC
Wawa - Tesla Supercharger
Lodi, NJ
8 DCFC
Starbucks - Tesla Supercharger
Saddle Brook, NJ
8 DCFC
Audi - Jack Daniels Motors
Paramus, NJ
6 DCFC
Westfield Garden State Plaza (Paramus, NJ)
Paramus, NJ
6 DCFC
Target T1822 (Clifton, NJ)
Clifton, NJ
6 DCFC
UBP Valley Ridge (Wayne, NJ)
Wayne, NJ
4 DCFC
Wayne Ford
Wayne, NJ
4 DCFC
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.6 | 0 | $12.46 | $5.70 |
| Efficient EV | 29.7 | 0 | $10.39 | $4.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.5 | 0 | $16.62 | $7.60 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% 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
Morning in Paterson on Sunday
Local time
7:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Woodstown on Sunday
Local time
7:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°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
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
National Historical Park
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...
National Historical Park
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...
National Recreation Area
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
118.7 mi in 2h 31m, mostly highway — 77.7 mi of that is on New Jersey Turnpike.
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 0.2 miles in near Memorial Drive.
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 20 significant decision points across 118.7 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 0.2 miles (Memorial Drive): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Paterson, NJ and Woodstown, 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
Glassboro
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 31m. Total distance: 118.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). 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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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