How far is Cranbury, NJ from Paterson, NJ?
The driving distance from Cranbury, NJ to Paterson, NJ is about 51.6 miles (83.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 45.2 miles (72.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 59m 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 00h 59m.
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.
Unincorporated community in New Jersey, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cranbury and Paterson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cranbury and Paterson.
-
1
Start on Plainsboro Road
952 ft · 29 sec · Plainsboro Road
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Maplewood Avenue
72 m · 7 sec · Maplewood Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Half Acre Road
87 m · 10 sec · Half Acre Road
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4
Turn left
603 ft · 17 sec
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5
Turn slight right onto South River Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · South River Road
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6
Continue on Cranbury-South River Road
2797 ft · 60 sec · Cranbury-South River Road
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7
Turn right onto Forsgate Drive
48 m · 3 sec · Forsgate Drive
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8
Take the ramp slight right toward NJTP Toll, I 95 Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
3054 ft · 1 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 95, NJTP North: New York City
2247 ft · 55 sec
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10
Keep slight right
2858 ft · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto New Jersey Turnpike
16.6 mi · 19 min · New Jersey Turnpike
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 9, GSP: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge
2656 ft · 1 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on GSP North: Garden State Parkway
1.2 km · 2 min
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14
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
25.8 mi · 36 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 Cranbury 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
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
25.8 mi · 00h 36m
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 Cranbury and Mostly Sunny near Paterson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cranbury to Paterson?
The road trip is about 51.6 miles (83.1 km) and usually takes 00h 59m 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?
Iselin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.6 miles from Cranbury and 26 miles from Paterson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 45.2 miles (72.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.4 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 4:30 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.44 one way or $14.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cranbury and Mostly Sunny near Paterson.
Stop Ideas Near Iselin
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
West Orange Town Hall
City Hall - City of Newark
City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Iselin.
Metropark station
New Brunswick station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Pennsylvania Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cranbury and Paterson. Straight-line distance: 45.2 mi (72.75 km).
#1 Cranbury
Township of New Jersey
| Population | 4,153 |
| Coordinates | 40.3162200, -74.5137600 |
| Altitude | 30 |
| 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: 83 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $7.44 | $14.87 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $8.37 | $16.74 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $9.02 | $18.03 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $10.88 | $21.77 |
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.