Origin
Shrewsbury, NJ
Late night in Shrewsbury on Sunday
Local time
4:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Shrewsbury, NJ to Paterson, 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 10m
Distance
51.4 mi
83 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 5m
★
6 AM
1h 10m
8 AM
1h 22m
10 AM
1h 14m
12 PM
1h 13m
3 PM
1h 15m
5 PM
1h 21m
8 PM
1h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Shrewsbury, NJ
MINEIA MARTINS
Paterson, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Shrewsbury to Paterson is 51.4 miles and takes about 1h 10m via Garden State Parkway and NJ 19, with a fuel budget near $9 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within New Jersey, connecting two points in the Northeast region. It's a straightforward drive that's mostly on major highways, making it a practical option for a quick transit between these locations. You'll find the journey efficient, with minimal fuss and a predictable travel time. Consider this route if you're looking for a no-frills transit between these two New Jersey cities.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 45.1 mi | 59m |
| Newman Springs Road | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| NJ 19 | 1.7 mi | 1m |
| Broad Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Grand Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Market Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| White Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 45.1 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shrewsbury, NJ and Paterson, NJ.
1
Start on White Street
226 ft
·
13 sec
·
White Street
2
Turn right onto NJ 35
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
·
Broad Street
3
Turn straight
315 ft
·
13 sec
4
Continue on CR 520
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Newman Springs Road
5
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward GSP Toll North
6
Merge onto GSP
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Garden State Parkway
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
Toward Crossover to Express Roadway
Use the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto GSP
39 mi
·
52 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 155A
Toward NJ 19: Paterson
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Merge onto NJ 19
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
NJ 19
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
313 ft
·
7 sec
Toward I 80 West: Grand Street, Del Water Gap
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
Toward Grand Street
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Turn right onto CR 638
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Grand Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn left onto CR 509
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
Main Street
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn right onto CR 648
453 ft
·
15 sec
·
Market Street
16
Turn left onto Colt Street
42 ft
·
3 sec
·
Colt Street
17
Arrive at destination
Colt Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 25.7 miles from Shrewsbury, 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 135 decision points cluster between mile 9.3 and 51 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
9.3 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward Crossover to Express Roadway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Crossover to Express Roadway
7
48.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m 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
50.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m 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
50.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
|
CR 638 / Grand Street
Turn right onto CR 638 / Grand Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
51 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
|
CR 509 / Main Street
Turn left onto CR 509 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.52 one way
$17.04 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $9.33 | $18.67 |
| premium | $4.93 | $9.97 | $19.94 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.35 | $22.70 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.71
Garden State Parkway
(45.1 mi)
$2.71
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Tolls
$3
Total
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 18 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.4 | 0 | $5.40 | $2.47 |
| Efficient EV | 12.9 | 0 | $4.50 | $2.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.6 | 0 | $7.20 | $3.29 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Destination
Paterson, NJ
Late night in Paterson on Sunday
Local time
4:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 2 to 10 mph
5% chance
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
44 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
1h 10m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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-focused, with 91% of the journey taking place on faster roads. You'll spend a significant portion of the 51.4 miles on the Garden State Parkway, including a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 45.1 miles. Expect a consistent driving experience for most of the trip, characterized by highway speeds and efficient travel. As you approach your destination, the route incorporates NJ 19, which may offer a slight shift in scenery as you transition from the parkway environment. The overall feel is one of direct transit rather than a scenic exploration.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 45.1 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 Newman Springs Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 51.4 miles you will encounter 13 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 9.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Shrewsbury, NJ to Paterson, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Crossover To Express Roadway along the way.
Crossover To Express Roadway
9.3 mi in
|
~12m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 10m. Total distance: 51.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 45.1 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.71 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 Paterson, 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 9.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Paterson, NJ
More from Shrewsbury, NJ
More trips to Paterson, NJ
Explore more options from Shrewsbury, NJ or browse trips ending in Paterson, NJ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NJ road trips.