How far is Carteret, NJ from Paterson, NJ?
The driving distance from Carteret, NJ to Paterson, NJ is about 30.4 miles (49 km), with a travel time of about 00h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 23.6 miles (38 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 40m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carteret and Paterson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carteret and Paterson.
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1
Start on Carteret Avenue
59 m · 11 sec · Carteret Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Linden Street
771 ft · 39 sec · Linden Street
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3
Turn left onto Washington Avenue
2928 ft · 1 min · Washington Avenue
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4
Continue on Roosevelt Avenue
1743 ft · 50 sec · Roosevelt Avenue
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5
Turn right onto Industrial Highway
906 ft · 26 sec · Industrial Highway
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6
Take the ramp left toward I 95 Toll, NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
1630 ft · 50 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 95 North, NJTP North
64 m · 5 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 95 North, NJTP North
1408 ft · 34 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto New Jersey Turnpike
5.1 mi · 7 min · New Jersey Turnpike
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport
1 km · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left
1.2 km · 1 min
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12
Keep slight left
2085 ft · 44 sec
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13
Continue straight
1.7 mi · 3 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
14.7 mi · 20 min
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15
Merge slight right
1233 ft · 15 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on McLean Boulevard
2284 ft · 28 sec · McLean Boulevard
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 80: Elmwood Park, Paterson
1009 ft · 25 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Market Street, Paterson, Elmwood Park
147 m · 12 sec
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Market Street, Paterson
133 m · 10 sec
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20
Continue straight
1019 ft · 20 sec
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21
Take the ramp straight toward I 80 West: Delaware Water Gap
1232 ft · 30 sec
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22
Merge slight left onto Christopher Columbus Highway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Christopher Columbus Highway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward Paterson
1249 ft · 38 sec
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24
Turn left onto Main Street
2506 ft · 51 sec · Main Street
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25
Turn right onto Market Street
138 m · 16 sec · Market Street
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26
Turn left onto Colt Street
13 m · 3 sec · Colt Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Colt Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carteret and Paterson.
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.
NJ 21
Keep slight left to continue on NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
14.7 mi · 00h 20m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Carteret 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 Carteret to Paterson?
The road trip is about 30.4 miles (49 km) and usually takes 00h 40m 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?
East Newark is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.5 miles from Carteret and 16 miles from Paterson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 23.6 miles (38 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.8 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 7:08 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 Chance Rain Showers around Carteret and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Paterson.
Stop Ideas Near East Newark
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall Parking Lot
#Artlook New York City Hall Wedding Photographer
City Hall Personnel Office
Diamond City Hall Photography
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to East Newark.
Pennsylvania Station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Pennsylvania Station
Metropark station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carteret and Paterson. Straight-line distance: 23.64 mi (38.04 km).
#1 Carteret
Borough in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States
| Population | 23,383 |
| Coordinates | 40.5773300, -74.2282000 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| 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: 49 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 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.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round 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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.