Origin
West Long Branch, NJ
Afternoon in West Long Branch on Sunday
Local time
3:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from West Long Branch, 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 17m
Distance
56.6 mi
91 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 11m
★
6 AM
1h 17m
8 AM
1h 29m
10 AM
1h 21m
12 PM
1h 20m
3 PM
1h 22m
5 PM
1h 29m
8 PM
1h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
West Long Branch, NJ
Malcolm Garret
Paterson, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 56.7-mile drive from West Long Branch, NJ, to Paterson, NJ, is estimated to take about 1 hour and 4 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $9, it's an economical day trip within the Northeast region. The route is characterized by numerous turns, suggesting a local road experience rather than a high-speed highway journey. Given its short duration and the nature of the roads, this trip is perfectly suited for a single-day adventure, allowing for flexibility and minimal planning.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 49.1 mi | 1h 4m |
| NJ 36 | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| NJ 19 | 1.7 mi | 1m |
| Parker Road | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Monmouth Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Grand Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Market Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 49.1 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Long Branch, NJ and Paterson, NJ.
1
Start on CR 15
104 ft
·
9 sec
·
Locust Avenue
2
Turn left onto Parker Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Parker Road
3
Turn right onto NJ 71
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Monmouth Road
4
Turn left onto NJ 36
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
NJ 36
5
Take the exit
221 ft
·
5 sec
Toward GSP: Garden State Parkway
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward GSP Notrh: Woodbridge
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
8
Merge onto GSP
10 mi
·
12 min
·
Garden State Parkway
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
Toward Crossover to Express Roadway
Use the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto GSP
39 mi
·
52 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 155A
Toward NJ 19: Paterson
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Merge onto NJ 19
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
NJ 19
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
313 ft
·
7 sec
Toward I 80 West: Grand Street, Del Water Gap
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
Toward Grand Street
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Turn right onto CR 638
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Grand Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn left onto CR 509
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
Main Street
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto CR 648
453 ft
·
15 sec
·
Market Street
18
Turn left onto Colt Street
42 ft
·
3 sec
·
Colt Street
19
Arrive at destination
Colt Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 28.3 miles from West Long Branch, 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 165 decision points cluster between mile 3.6 and 56 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
3.6 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward GSP Notrh: Woodbridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward GSP Notrh: Woodbridge
6
14.5 mi into trip
|
~19m 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
53.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m 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
55.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m 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
56 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m 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
$9.38 one way
$18.77 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $10.28 | $20.55 |
| premium | $4.93 | $10.98 | $21.95 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.50 | $24.99 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.95
Garden State Parkway
(49.1 mi)
$2.95
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
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17 | 0 | $5.94 | $2.72 |
| Efficient EV | 14.2 | 0 | $4.95 | $2.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.6 | 0 | $7.92 | $3.62 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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
Afternoon in Paterson on Sunday
Local time
3:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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
15 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 17m 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?
Expect a dynamic driving experience on this route, which is described as 'turn-heavy local drive.' With a 0% highway share, you'll be navigating primarily local roads, including Parker Road and Monmouth Road, with some sections on the Garden State Parkway (GSP). The longest uninterrupted stretch is not specified, but the profile suggests frequent changes in direction and speed. This means you'll be actively engaged with the road, making it a more hands-on driving experience.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.1 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and NJ 36. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 56.6 miles you will encounter 16 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 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.5 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between West Long Branch, NJ and Paterson, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp Notrh: Woodbridge and Crossover To Express Roadway.
Gsp Notrh: Woodbridge
3.6 mi in
|
~6m
Crossover To Express Roadway
14.5 mi in
|
~19m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 17m. Total distance: 56.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 49.1 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.95 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 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.5 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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