Traveling from the coast at Ship Bottom to the urban center of Paterson covers approximately 102.3 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 11 minutes. Because this journey is entirely within the Northeast region of New Jersey, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to budget roughly $17 for fuel, making this a budget-friendly transit across the state. The path relies heavily on the Garden State Parkway to bridge the gap between the Atlantic coast and the northern reaches of the state. It is a straightforward, functional route that prioritizes efficiency over sightseeing, ideal for those looking to reach their destination quickly.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.2 miles from Ship Bottom, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
90.9 mi
1h 53m
Manahawkin Bay Bridge
6.4 mi
9m
NJ 19
1.7 mi
1m
Long Beach Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
West 8th Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Main Street
0.3 mi
<1m
GSP Northbound entrance ramp
0.2 mi
<1m
Grand Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 90.9 mi, about 1h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ship Bottom, NJ and Paterson, NJ.
1
Start on East 19th Street
196 ft·10 sec·East 19th Street
2
Turn right onto CR 607
0.5 mi·1 min·Long Beach Boulevard
3
Take the ramp
423 ft·11 sec
Toward NJ 72 West: Manahawkin
4
Merge onto NJ 72
0.4 mi·43 sec·West 8th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Continue on NJ 72
154 ft·3 sec·West 8th Street
Toward Manahawkin
6
Continue on NJ 72
6.4 mi·9 min·Manahawkin Bay Bridge
Toward Manahawkin
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward GSP Toll NorthUse the right lane.
8
Continue on GSP Northbound entrance ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec·GSP Northbound entrance ramp
Toward GSP North
9
Merge onto GSP
39 mi·46 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·31 sec
11
Continue on GSP
52 mi·1 hr 7 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 155AToward NJ 19: PatersonUse the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Merge onto NJ 19
1.7 mi·1 min·NJ 19
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
313 ft·7 sec
Toward I 80 West: Grand Street, Del Water Gap
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·23 sec
Toward Grand StreetUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Turn right onto CR 638
0.2 mi·27 sec·Grand Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto CR 509
0.3 mi·29 sec·Main Street
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto CR 648
453 ft·15 sec·Market Street
19
Turn left onto Colt Street
42 ft·3 sec·Colt Street
20
Arrive at destination
Colt Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 102.3-mile transit, aim to depart outside of peak rush hours to avoid potential congestion on the Garden State Parkway. Since the entire trip is estimated at just over two hours, you likely won't need a formal halfway point, giving you the flexibility to drive straight through if traffic permits. Keep in mind that with 90.9 miles of uninterrupted highway, your fuel efficiency will be at its peak, so filling up in Ship Bottom before you leave should comfortably cover the $17 estimated cost. Pay close attention to the transition from the Parkway to NJ 19, as the shift from high-speed lanes to local highway exits can happen quickly. Having a clear navigation plan ready for the final miles into Paterson will help you navigate the urban road layout with ease.
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 51.2 miles from Ship Bottom, NJ, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.9 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 23 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.2 miles or 1h 4m 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 46m
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 Ship Bottom, 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 Ship Bottom, NJ
This is one driving day of about 102.3 miles and 2h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Ship Bottom, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 90.9 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.4 and 102 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
7.4 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the exit toward GSP Toll North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward GSP Toll North
7
99.2 mi into trip|~2h 6m 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
101.6 mi into trip|~2h 10m 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
101.8 mi into trip|~2h 10m in|CR 638 / Grand Street
Turn right onto CR 638 / Grand Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
102 mi into trip|~2h 10m in|CR 509 / Main Street
Turn left onto CR 509 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.96 one way
$33.92 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$18.58
$37.15
premium
$4.93
$19.84
$39.68
diesel
$5.61
$22.59
$45.17
Estimated Tolls: $12.45
Bay Bridge
$7.00
Garden State Parkway
(90.9 mi)$5.45
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
$17
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.7
0
$10.74
$4.91
Efficient EV
25.6
0
$8.95
$4.09
EV Truck/SUV
40.9
0
$14.32
$6.55
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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 20, 2026
Origin
Ship Bottom, NJ
Late night
in Ship Bottom on Tuesday
Local time
4:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Paterson, NJ
Late night
in Paterson on Tuesday
Local time
4:11 AM
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 11m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a quintessential highway-focused drive, with about 90% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You will begin by crossing the Manahawkin Bay Bridge before settling into a long, consistent stretch of 90.9 miles on the Garden State Parkway. Because the vast majority of the route is interstate-style driving, you should be prepared for a steady, monotonous pace rather than technical winding roads. The experience shifts only toward the very end, as you transition off the Parkway and onto NJ 19 to reach Paterson. Expect a high-traffic environment that requires your full attention, especially as you move from the coastal areas toward the denser northern transit corridors.
90% 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: 90.9 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Manahawkin Bay Bridge. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.4 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 14 significant decision points across 102.3 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 7.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 99.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
222 ft5 ft
Total Climb
543 ft
Total Descent
464 ft
Highest Point
222 ft
~58.5 mi in
Elevation Range
217 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ship Bottom, NJ and Paterson, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp Toll North and Gsp North.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 11m. Total distance: 102.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 11m 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 90.9 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $12.45 in tolls one way, starting with Bay Bridge. 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 99.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Paterson, NJ before heading back.
