How far is Cape May, NJ from Paterson, NJ?
The driving distance from Cape May, NJ to Paterson, NJ is about 161.4 miles (259.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 142.4 miles (229.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 02h 40m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Borough of New Jersey
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cape May and Paterson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cape May and Paterson.
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1
Start on the route
25 m · 11 sec
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2
Turn left onto New York Avenue
32 m · 7 sec · New York Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Reading Avenue
1.1 km · 3 min · Reading Avenue
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4
Turn right onto Massachusetts Avenue
99 m · 20 sec · Massachusetts Avenue
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5
Turn left onto East Street
92 m · 15 sec · East Street
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6
Turn right onto Washington Street
1088 ft · 24 sec · Washington Street
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Washington Street
31 m · 2 sec · Washington Street
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8
Turn straight onto Lafayette Street
1.6 km · 2 min · Lafayette Street
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9
Turn straight onto Garden State Parkway
19.1 mi · 22 min · Garden State Parkway
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10
Take the exit slight left
2408 ft · 32 sec
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11
Merge slight right onto Garden State Parkway
33.8 mi · 39 min · Garden State Parkway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Garden State Parkway
50.2 mi · 59 min · Garden State Parkway
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13
Keep slight left
2399 ft · 31 sec
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14
Continue on Garden State Parkway
51.7 mi · 1 hr 7 min · Garden State Parkway
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15
Take the exit slight left toward NJ 19: Paterson
1.1 km · 1 min
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16
Merge slight left
1.7 mi · 2 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West: Grand Street, Del Water Gap
96 m · 8 sec
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Grand Street
783 ft · 23 sec
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19
Turn right onto Grand Street
941 ft · 27 sec · Grand Street
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20
Turn left onto Main Street
1458 ft · 29 sec · Main Street
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21
Turn right onto Market Street
138 m · 16 sec · Market Street
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22
Turn left onto Colt Street
13 m · 3 sec · Colt Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Colt Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cape May and Paterson.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Garden State Parkway
Continue on Garden State Parkway
51.7 mi · 01h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Cape May and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Paterson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cape May to Paterson?
The road trip is about 161.4 miles (259.7 km) and usually takes 02h 40m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Beachwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.5 miles from Cape May and 80.8 miles from Paterson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 142.4 miles (229.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 19 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:08 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.25 one way or $46.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cape May and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Paterson.
Stop Ideas Near Beachwood
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Beachwood.
Princeton Junction station
Trenton Transit Center
Egg Harbor City, New Jersey
Hammonton, New Jersey
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cape May and Paterson. Straight-line distance: 142.34 mi (229.07 km).
#1 Cape May
City in New Jersey
| Population | 3,404 |
| Coordinates | 38.9351100, -74.9060100 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Paterson
The third most populous city in New Jersey.
| Population | 144,801 |
| Coordinates | 40.9167700, -74.1718100 |
| Altitude | 26 |
| Country | United States |
End: Colt Street (-74.171665, 40.916732)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 260 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $23.25 | $46.50 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $26.17 | $52.34 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $28.19 | $56.38 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $34.03 | $68.05 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.