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Trip from Salem, NJ to Paterson, NJ

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 39m

Distance

129.8 mi

209 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 29m ★
6 AM
2h 40m
8 AM
3h 1m
10 AM
2h 47m
12 PM
2h 45m
3 PM
2h 48m
5 PM
3h 0m
8 PM
2h 33m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Salem, NJ, NJ

Salem, NJ

David Kanigan

city in and the county seat of Passaic County, New Jersey, United States

Paterson, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 130-mile drive from Salem, NJ, to Paterson, NJ, is a straightforward trip that can comfortably be completed in a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 39 minutes. The route is predominantly highway, with 90% of the journey on major roads like the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway. With an estimated fuel cost of $22, this trip is quite budget-friendly. It's a practical option for a day trip, allowing you to focus on reaching your destination efficiently without needing an overnight stay. Both locations are within the Northeast region, making for a contained New Jersey excursion.

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

64.9 miles from Salem, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New Jersey Turnpike 90 mi 1h 43m
Garden State Parkway 25.8 mi 35m
South Broadway 7.8 mi 9m
NJ 19 1.7 mi 1m
West Broadway 0.5 mi <1m
Broadway Road 0.3 mi <1m
Main Street 0.3 mi <1m
Front Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: New Jersey Turnpike — 90 mi, about 1h 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Salem, NJ and Paterson, NJ.

1

Start on NJ 49

0.5 mi · 42 sec · West Broadway
2

Turn right onto NJ 49

0.2 mi · 13 sec · Front Street
3

Continue on NJ 49

2.6 mi · 2 min · South Broadway
4

Continue on NJ 49

0.3 mi · 22 sec · Broadway Road
5

Continue on NJ 49

5.2 mi · 6 min · South Broadway
6

Take the exit

300 ft · 8 sec
Toward US 40 East, NJTP: Hook Road, Atlantic City
7

Turn straight onto Old Pennsville-Auburn Road

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Old Pennsville-Auburn Road
8

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Toward US 40 East: Atlantic City
9

Merge onto NJTP; US 40

1.9 mi · 2 min · New Jersey Turnpike
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 13 sec
11

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 11 sec · this road
12

Merge onto NJTP

47 mi · 53 min · New Jersey Turnpike
13

Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP

41 mi · 47 min · New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 11 Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge Use the slight right lane.
15

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward GSP North: Garden State Parkway Use the slight right lane.
16

Merge onto GSP

26 mi · 35 min · Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
17

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 155A Toward NJ 19: Paterson Use the straight / slight left lanes.
18

Merge onto NJ 19

1.7 mi · 1 min · NJ 19
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

313 ft · 7 sec
Toward I 80 West: Grand Street, Del Water Gap
20

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 23 sec
Toward Grand Street Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
21

Turn right onto CR 638

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Grand Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
22

Turn left onto CR 509

0.3 mi · 29 sec · Main Street
Use the straight lane.
23

Turn right onto CR 648

453 ft · 15 sec · Market Street
24

Turn left onto Colt Street

42 ft · 3 sec · Colt Street
25

Arrive at destination

Colt Street

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour and 39-minute duration and 130-mile distance, this trip is ideal for a single day. Consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic, especially on the New Jersey Turnpike. With only one recommended stop and a $22 fuel cost, you can plan your fuel and breaks efficiently. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 90 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike, so be sure to have entertainment or a podcast ready for that segment. This route offers flexibility, allowing you to adjust your pace as needed.

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 64.9 miles from Salem, NJ, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90 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 34m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 64.9 miles or 1h 16m 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 6m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Paterson, NJ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Salem, 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 Salem, NJ

This is one driving day of about 129.8 miles and 2h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Salem, 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 90 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

65 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

Philadelphia, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bristol, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 64.9 miles from Salem, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before New Jersey Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 90 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Union, New Jersey

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately mile 111.3

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+19083966401

Visit website

Botto's Italian Line Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Swedesboro, New Jersey

1.8 mi

The Park Indian Restaurant and Catering

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Dayton, New Jersey

1.8 mi

Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately mile 111.3

Union, New Jersey

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+19083966401

Visit website

Botto's Italian Line Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 18.5

Swedesboro, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18564671570

Visit website

The Park Indian Restaurant and Catering

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 83.5

Dayton, New Jersey

Hours: 12–3 pm

+17323331199

Visit website

Oasis Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $30 to $50 mile 111.3

Cranford, New Jersey

Hours: 12–9:30 pm

+19089676161

Visit website

Cucina Carini

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 46.4

Mt Laurel Township, New Jersey

Hours: 12–9 pm

+18564391941

Visit website

Idea Asian Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 27.8

Clarksboro, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18565991668

Visit website

Fusion 27 restaurant and catering services

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately mile 129.8

Totowa, New Jersey

Hours: 11:30 am–3 pm

+19735955595

Visit website

Fratelli's Italian Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 55.6

Burlington, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16095262746

Visit website

Eagle Rock Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 120.6

Montclair, New Jersey

Hours: 7:30 am–5:30 pm

+19733586543

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 83.5

Cranbury, NJ

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 120.6

Belleville, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 111.3

Union, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 120.6

Bloomfield, NJ

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 102

Edison, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 111.3

Union, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 92.7

Edison, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 92.7

Highland Park, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

The Great Escape Room Challenge

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 37.1

Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey

Hours: 4–9 pm

+16092005690

Visit website

Fords Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 102

Woodbridge, New Jersey

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+17327453900

Visit website

Nomahegan Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 111.3

Cranford, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+19085274900

Visit website

Jake's Place Playground

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 37.1

Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

+18564953080

Visit website

Challenge Grove Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 37.1

Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+18562162117

Visit website

"Haddy" the Dinosaur Statue

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 37.1

Haddonfield, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16093136648

Visit website

Haddon Lake Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 37.1

Mt Ephraim, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

Escape Room Mystery

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 37.1

Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey

Hours: 12:15–8:45 pm

+16107571053

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 99.7 and 129.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
99.7 mi into trip | ~1h 56m in

Take the exit toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge

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 11 Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbri...
7
100.2 mi into trip | ~1h 57m in

Keep slight right at fork toward GSP North: Garden State Parkway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward GSP North: Garden State Parkway
7
126.8 mi into trip | ~2h 34m in

Take the exit toward NJ 19: Paterson

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Exit 155A Toward NJ 19: Paterson
8
129.1 mi into trip | ~2h 38m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Grand Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward Grand Street
7
129.3 mi into trip | ~2h 38m in | CR 638 / Grand Street

Turn right onto CR 638 / Grand Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.52 one way

$43.04 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 45 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $23.57 $47.14
premium $4.93 $25.17 $50.35
diesel $5.61 $28.66 $57.32

Estimated Tolls: $14.15

New Jersey Turnpike (90 mi) $12.60
Garden State Parkway (25.8 mi) $1.55

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

$22

Tolls

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$61–$86

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 45.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 38.9 0 $13.63 $6.23
Efficient EV 32.5 0 $11.36 $5.19
EV Truck/SUV 51.9 0 $18.17 $8.31

Gas CO2

45 kg

EV CO2

15 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Salem, NJ

Night in Salem on Saturday

Local time

9:11 PM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Paterson, NJ

Night in Paterson on Saturday

Local time

9:11 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°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

12 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 39m 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

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 near mile 129.8
Caution: Limited Amphitheater Accessibility
Caution: Overlook Park Parking Lot - Vehicles Must Be Parked in a Designated Spot
View on nps.gov
Thomas Edison National Historical Park

Thomas Edison National Historical Park

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...

3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 near mile 120.9
View on nps.gov
Morristown National Historical Park

Morristown National Historical Park

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...

15 mi from route ~37 min detour Free near mile 111.9
View on nps.gov
Gateway National Recreation Area

Gateway National Recreation Area

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...

20 mi from route ~49 min detour Free near mile 116.4
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 130-mile journey, with a substantial 90% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a nearly uninterrupted 90-mile stretch on the New Jersey Turnpike, offering a consistent pace. While primarily a highway experience, the inclusion of roads like South Broadway suggests some transitions into more local thoroughfares as you approach your destination. This profile means you'll be navigating a generally fast-paced route with minimal deviations from major arteries.

90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 90 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 99.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 18 significant decision points across 129.8 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 99.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 126.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Salem, NJ and Paterson, NJ, road signs point toward Atlantic City, Gsp and Woodbridge.

Atlantic City

8.8 mi in | ~11m

Gsp

99.7 mi in | ~1h 56m

Woodbridge

99.7 mi in | ~1h 56m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 39m. Total distance: 129.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 90 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $14.15 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 Paterson, 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: at 99.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 126.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Paterson, 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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