How far is Clayton, NJ from Paterson, NJ?
The driving distance from Clayton, NJ to Paterson, NJ is about 116.1 miles (186.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 99.5 miles (160.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 51m 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 01h 55m.
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 in Mercer County, New Jersey
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 Clayton and Paterson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clayton and Paterson.
-
1
Start on East Academy Street
18 m · 4 sec · East Academy Street
-
2
Turn right onto North Delsea Drive
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Delsea Drive
-
3
Continue on North Delsea South
1.4 km · 1 min · North Delsea South
-
4
Continue on Delsea Drive
6.6 mi · 11 min · Delsea Drive
-
5
Continue on Hurffville Road
3.8 mi · 6 min · Hurffville Road
-
6
Continue on Clements Bridge Road
1760 ft · 45 sec · Clements Bridge Road
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on West Clements Bridge Road
1.3 km · 2 min · West Clements Bridge Road
-
8
Turn left onto Black Horse Pike
1.3 km · 2 min · Black Horse Pike
-
9
Take the ramp straight toward NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
1378 ft · 33 sec
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on NJTP North: New York
2915 ft · 1 min
-
11
Merge slight left onto New Jersey Turnpike
23.1 mi · 27 min · New Jersey Turnpike
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on New Jersey Turnpike
41.4 mi · 48 min · New Jersey Turnpike
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge
2531 ft · 1 min
-
14
Keep slight right to continue on GSP North: Garden State Parkway
1.2 km · 2 min
-
15
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
25.8 mi · 36 min · Garden State Parkway
-
16
Take the exit slight left toward NJ 19: Paterson
1.1 km · 1 min
-
17
Merge slight left
1.7 mi · 2 min
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West: Grand Street, Del Water Gap
96 m · 8 sec
-
19
Keep slight right to continue on Grand Street
783 ft · 23 sec
-
20
Turn right onto Grand Street
941 ft · 27 sec · Grand Street
-
21
Turn left onto Main Street
1458 ft · 29 sec · Main Street
-
22
Turn right onto Market Street
138 m · 16 sec · Market Street
-
23
Turn left onto Colt Street
13 m · 3 sec · Colt Street
-
24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Colt Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clayton 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.
New Jersey Turnpike
Keep slight left to continue on New Jersey Turnpike
41.4 mi · 00h 48m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Clayton 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 Clayton to Paterson?
The road trip is about 116.1 miles (186.8 km) and usually takes 01h 55m 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?
Hightstown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 55 miles from Clayton and 61.1 miles from Paterson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 99.5 miles (160.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.6 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 2:38 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.75 one way or $33.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Clayton and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Paterson.
Stop Ideas Near Hightstown
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old City Hall
Trenton City Hall
Trenton Health & Human Services
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Hightstown.
Princeton Junction station
Trenton Transit Center
New Brunswick station
Metropark station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clayton and Paterson. Straight-line distance: 99.46 mi (160.06 km).
#1 Clayton
Borough in Gloucester County, New Jersey
| Population | 8,759 |
| Coordinates | 39.6601100, -75.0921200 |
| Altitude | 39 |
| 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: 187 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $16.75 | $33.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $18.86 | $37.71 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $20.31 | $40.62 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $24.52 | $49.04 |
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.