How far is Paterson, NJ from Belford, NJ?

The driving distance from Paterson, NJ to Belford, NJ is about 48.6 miles (78.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 08m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 34.2 miles (55 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
48.59 mi
01h 08m
Flight
34.21 mi
55.05 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Paterson.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
34.21 mi
Kilometers
55.05 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
48.59 mi
Kilometers
78.2 km
Drive Time
01h 08m

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 08m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Belford
Wed, Apr 22, 11:49 PM EDT
Return by in Paterson
Thu, Apr 23, 12:58 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Paterson
2026-04-22T22:40
Arrive Belford
Wed, Apr 22, 11:49 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 08m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:09 AM to 11:09 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:12 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Paterson
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Rahway
NJ

City in Union County, New Jersey

From Paterson
24.3 mi
00h 34m
To Belford
24.3 mi
00h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
62°F
Wednesday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph E
Destination
62°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Paterson and Belford.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Paterson and Belford.

  1. 1

    Start on Colt Street

    66 m · 18 sec · Colt Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Ellison Street

    879 ft · 28 sec · Ellison Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Memorial Drive

    744 ft · 15 sec · Memorial Drive

  4. 4

    Turn right

    81 m · 10 sec

  5. 5

    Turn straight onto Ward Street

    1656 ft · 34 sec · Ward Street

  6. 6

    Continue on Oliver Street

    942 ft · 18 sec · Oliver Street

  7. 7

    Turn slight left

    2 mi · 2 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight left toward GSP South

    2756 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway

    23.8 mi · 33 min · Garden State Parkway

  10. 10

    Continue on Garden State Parkway Southbound

    6.2 mi · 8 min · Garden State Parkway Southbound

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Garden State Parkway

    1.2 km · 49 sec · Garden State Parkway

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Garden State Parkway

    6.6 mi · 8 min · Garden State Parkway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward NJ 35, NJ 36 South: Hazlet, Keyport

    3026 ft · 1 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight left

    50 m · 4 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on NJ 36 South: Keyport, Keansburg, Gateway National Recreation Area at Sandy Hook

    1868 ft · 52 sec

  16. 16

    Continue straight

    6.4 mi · 10 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit right toward Belford, Belford Ferry Service

    101 m · 9 sec

  18. 18

    Turn right onto East Morris Avenue

    27 m · 7 sec · East Morris Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Main Street

    2695 ft · 1 min · Main Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Paterson and Belford.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
20 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
41.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Garden State Parkway
31.1 mi · 64%
NJ 36 South
6.77 mi · 14%
Garden State Parkway Southbound
6.2 mi · 13%
NJ 35
0.6 mi · 1%
GSP South
0.52 mi · 1%
Main Street
0.51 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Garden State Parkway

Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway

23.8 mi · 00h 33m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 08m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.4 mi
34.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Rahway
00h 34m from Paterson
Leave By
4:12 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny leaving Paterson and Chance Rain Showers near Belford.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Paterson to Belford?

The road trip is about 48.6 miles (78.2 km) and usually takes 01h 08m 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?

Rahway is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.3 miles from Paterson and 24.3 miles from Belford.

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

The direct path is about 34.2 miles (55 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.4 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 4:12 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.99 one way or $13.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny around Paterson and Chance Rain Showers near Belford.

Stop Ideas Near Rahway

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 Rahway and the surrounding midpoint area.
West Orange Town Hall
Scenic stop 12.1 mi away

West Orange Town Hall

West Orange , NJ
66 Main St, West Orange, NJ 07052
Rating 4.1/5 16 reviews Park
City of Elizabeth
Meeting point 6.4 mi away

City of Elizabeth

Elizabeth , NJ
50 Winfield Scott Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Rating 4.5/5 65 reviews City Hall
Bloomfield Municipal Building
Nearby stop 13.8 mi away

Bloomfield Municipal Building

Bloomfield , NJ
1 Municipal Plaza, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Rating 4.4/5 17 reviews Municipal hall

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Metropark station

6 mi away
100 Middlesex-Essex Turnpike
RAIL

Newark Liberty International Airport

13 mi away
Newark Liberty International Airport
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

17 mi away
1 Raymond Plaza West
RAIL

New Brunswick station

19 mi away
French and Albany Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Paterson and Belford. Straight-line distance: 34.21 mi (55.05 km).

Paterson

#1 Paterson

The third most populous city in New Jersey.

Population144,801
Coordinates40.9167700, -74.1718100
Altitude26
CountryUnited States
Belford

#2 Belford

Census designated place

Population1,768
Coordinates40.4259400, -74.0868100
Altitude5
CountryUnited States
Start: Paterson (-74.17181, 40.91677)
End: Belford (-74.08681, 40.42594)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 78 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 37m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 41m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.71 gal
6.49 L · about $6.99
Round trip
$13.97
3.42 gal · 12.98 L
Estimated CO2
15.2 kg one way
Round trip: 30.4 kg / 67 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $6.99 $13.97
Mid-grade $4.60 $7.86 $15.73
Premium $4.95 $8.47 $16.94
Diesel $5.98 $10.23 $20.45

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 Paterson and Belford. The current time is 22:40:42.

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.