How far is Watchung, NJ from Passaic, NJ?

The driving distance from Watchung, NJ to Passaic, NJ is about 30.6 miles (49.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 22.7 miles (36.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 14m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
30.6 mi
00h 37m
Flight
22.67 mi
36.48 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Watchung.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
22.67 mi
Kilometers
36.48 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
30.6 mi
Kilometers
49.25 km
Drive Time
00h 37m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 00h 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Passaic
Thu, Apr 23, 2:56 AM EDT
Return by in Watchung
Thu, Apr 23, 3:33 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Watchung
2026-04-23T02:18
Arrive Passaic
Thu, Apr 23, 2:56 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:37 AM to 7:37 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:16 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Watchung
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Union
NJ

A city in Union County, New Jersey.

From Watchung
13.3 mi
00h 18m
To Passaic
17.3 mi
00h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph NW
Destination
72°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 8 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Watchung and Passaic.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Watchung and Passaic.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    95 m · 28 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left

    19 m · 9 sec

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Valley Road

    33 m · 6 sec · Valley Road

  4. 4

    Turn sharp right onto Hillcrest Road

    1.4 km · 2 min · Hillcrest Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 78 East: Newark

    2132 ft · 52 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway

    7 mi · 8 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway

    4.6 mi · 5 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward GSP: G.S. Parkway

    1412 ft · 48 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on GSP North Toll

    1.1 km · 2 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway

    8.9 mi · 12 min · Garden State Parkway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Montclair, Nutley

    889 ft · 22 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Watchung Avenue

    147 m · 15 sec · Watchung Avenue

  13. 13

    At the end of the road, turn left onto East Passaic Avenue

    2278 ft · 46 sec · East Passaic Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right onto West Passaic Avenue

    2703 ft · 53 sec · West Passaic Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Darling Avenue

    125 m · 7 sec · Darling Avenue

  16. 16

    Continue on Bloomfield Avenue

    2001 ft · 38 sec · Bloomfield Avenue

  17. 17

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Allwood Circle

    53 m · 3 sec · Bloomfield Avenue

  18. 18

    Exit the rotary onto Bloomfield Avenue

    2865 ft · 53 sec · Bloomfield Avenue

  19. 19

    Continue on Bloomfield Avenue

    1061 ft · 21 sec · Bloomfield Avenue

  20. 20

    Continue on Bloomfield Avenue

    1007 ft · 17 sec · Bloomfield Avenue

  21. 21

    Continue on Broadway

    1 mi · 2 min · Broadway

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Paulison Avenue

    950 ft · 24 sec · Paulison Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn left onto Passaic Avenue

    29 m · 3 sec · Passaic Avenue

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Passaic Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Watchung and Passaic.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
24 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
78.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
11.6 mi · 38%
Garden State Parkway
8.91 mi · 29%
Bloomfield Avenue
1.33 mi · 4%
Broadway
1.02 mi · 3%
Hillcrest Road
0.85 mi · 3%
GSP North Toll
0.66 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Garden State Parkway

Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway

8.91 mi · 00h 12m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 37m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.9 mi
22.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Union
00h 18m from Watchung
Leave By
7:16 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Watchung and Mostly Sunny near Passaic.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Watchung to Passaic?

The road trip is about 30.6 miles (49.2 km) and usually takes 00h 37m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Union is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.3 miles from Watchung and 17.3 miles from Passaic.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 22.7 miles (36.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:16 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.41 one way or $8.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Watchung and Mostly Sunny near Passaic.

Stop Ideas Near Union

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Union and the surrounding midpoint area.
City Hall Parking Lot
Scenic stop 10.9 mi away

City Hall Parking Lot

Jersey City , NJ
280 Grove St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews Parking lot
#Artlook New York City Hall Wedding Photographer
Practical stop 13 mi away

#Artlook New York City Hall Wedding Photographer

New York , NY
141 Worth St, New York, NY 10013
Rating 5.0/5 13 reviews Photographer,Photography service,Photography studio,Wedding photographer
City Hall Personnel Office
Meeting point 4.3 mi away

City Hall Personnel Office

Newark , NJ
920 Broad St, Newark, NJ 07102
Rating 5.0/5 5 reviews City government office
Diamond City Hall Photography
Nearby stop 13.1 mi away

Diamond City Hall Photography

New York , NY
141 Worth St, New York, NY 10013
Rating 5.0/5 53 reviews Wedding photographer

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Union.

RAIL

Newark Liberty International Airport

6 mi away
Newark Liberty International Airport
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

9 mi away
1 Raymond Plaza West
RAIL

Metropark station

15 mi away
100 Middlesex-Essex Turnpike
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

24 mi away
8th Ave 31st Street / 8th Ave 33rd Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Watchung and Passaic. Straight-line distance: 22.67 mi (36.48 km).

Watchung

#1 Watchung

Borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States

Population6,007
Coordinates40.6378800, -74.4509900
Altitude54
CountryUnited States
Passaic

#2 Passaic

The most populous city in Passaic County, New Jersey.

Population69,340
Coordinates40.8567700, -74.1284800
Altitude34
CountryUnited States
Start: Valley Road (-74.451294, 40.637954)
End: Passaic Avenue (-74.128683, 40.856869)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 49 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 01m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 45m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 30m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 22m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.08 gal
4.09 L · about $4.41
Round trip
$8.83
2.16 gal · 8.18 L
Estimated CO2
9.6 kg one way
Round trip: 19.2 kg / 42 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $4.41 $8.83
Mid-grade $4.60 $4.97 $9.93
Premium $4.95 $5.35 $10.70
Diesel $5.98 $6.46 $12.92

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in New Jersey · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Watchung and Passaic. The current time is 02:18:54.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.