Williamstown, NJ to Paterson, NJ is 106.2 miles and takes about 2h 19m via New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, and NJ 73, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, covering ground entirely within New Jersey. It's a straightforward, predominantly highway-focused journey that’s best suited for getting from point A to point B efficiently. Given the relatively short duration and manageable distance, this route is ideal for a single-day trip without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.1 miles from Williamstown, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
55.9 mi
1h 4m
Garden State Parkway
25.8 mi
35m
NJ 73
11.5 mi
16m
Williamstown Road
4.1 mi
6m
Taunton Road
1.7 mi
2m
NJ 19
1.7 mi
1m
Sicklerville Road
1.5 mi
2m
Main Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 55.9 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Williamstown, NJ and Paterson, NJ.
1
Start on this road
131 ft·13 sec·this road
2
Turn left
36 ft·4 sec
3
Turn right onto US 322; CR 536 Spur
1.5 mi·2 min·Sicklerville Road
4
Continue on CR 536 Spur
4.1 mi·6 min·Williamstown Road
5
Continue on CR 536 Spur
1.7 mi·2 min·Taunton Road
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
7
Merge onto NJ 73
2.6 mi·3 min·NJ 73
8
Continue on NJ 73
8.9 mi·12 min·NJ 73
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on NJ 73
198 ft·3 sec·NJ 73
Use the right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward NJTPUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJTP North: New YorkUse the straight / right lanes.
12
Merge onto NJTP
15 mi·16 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 11Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, WoodbridgeUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward GSP North: Garden State ParkwayUse 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 155AToward NJ 19: PatersonUse 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 StreetUse 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
For this 2h 19m drive, departing in the morning or mid-afternoon will help you avoid the worst of New Jersey's commuter traffic, especially around the Turnpike and Parkway interchanges. Since the total distance is just over 100 miles and completed in a single day, you won't need to plan for overnight stays, offering flexibility. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major exit is a significant 55.9 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike; it's wise to fuel up before entering this segment. Plan for one brief stop for a break or to stretch your legs if 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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 53.1 miles from Williamstown, NJ, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.9 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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.1 miles or 1h 9m 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 52m
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 Williamstown, 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 Williamstown, NJ
This is one driving day of about 106.2 miles and 2h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Williamstown, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New Jersey Turnpike for about 55.9 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 19.4 and 105.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
19.4 mi into trip|~29m in
Take the exit toward NJTP
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward NJTP
7
19.6 mi into trip|~30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJTP North: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward NJTP North: New York
8
76.1 mi into trip|~1h 35m 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
76.6 mi into trip|~1h 36m 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
8
105.5 mi into trip|~2h 17m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.61 one way
$35.21 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$19.28
$38.57
premium
$4.93
$20.60
$41.19
diesel
$5.61
$23.45
$46.90
Estimated Tolls: $9.38
New Jersey Turnpike
(55.9 mi)$7.83
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
$18
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.9
0
$11.15
$5.10
Efficient EV
26.6
0
$9.29
$4.25
EV Truck/SUV
42.5
0
$14.87
$6.80
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Williamstown, NJ
Night
in Williamstown on Saturday
Local time
10:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Paterson, NJ
Night
in Paterson on Saturday
Local time
10:50 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
9 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 19m 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
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 106.2
Caution: Limited Amphitheater Accessibility
Caution: Overlook Park Parking Lot - Vehicles Must Be Parked in a Designated Spot
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...
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 87.9
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 91.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive on this route, with 89% of the mileage on major roads like the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 55.9 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike, offering a consistent pace. The inclusion of NJ 73 adds a brief change of scenery before you rejoin the main arteries. This drive is primarily about covering distance quickly rather than exploring winding backroads or scenic vistas.
89% 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: 55.9 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 19.4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 106.2 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 19.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Williamstown, NJ and Paterson, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp, Njtp North: New York, Gsp and Woodbridge.
Njtp
19.4 mi in|~29m
Njtp North: New York
19.6 mi in|~30m
Gsp
76.1 mi in|~1h 35m
Woodbridge
76.1 mi in|~1h 35m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 19m. Total distance: 106.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.9 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.38 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 19.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
