How far is Paterson, NJ from Columbus, NJ?
The driving distance from Paterson, NJ to Columbus, NJ is about 72.8 miles (117.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 65.1 miles (104.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST.
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 35m.
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.
Township in New Jersey, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Paterson and Columbus.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paterson and Columbus.
-
1
Start on Colt Street
66 m · 18 sec · Colt Street
-
2
Turn right onto Ellison Street
879 ft · 28 sec · Ellison Street
-
3
Turn right onto Memorial Drive
744 ft · 15 sec · Memorial Drive
-
4
Turn right
81 m · 10 sec
-
5
Turn straight onto Ward Street
1656 ft · 34 sec · Ward Street
-
6
Continue on Oliver Street
942 ft · 18 sec · Oliver Street
-
7
Turn slight left
2 mi · 2 min
-
8
Take the exit slight left toward GSP South
2756 ft · 1 min
-
9
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
23.8 mi · 33 min · Garden State Parkway
-
10
Continue on Garden State Parkway Southbound
2.3 mi · 3 min · Garden State Parkway Southbound
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward I 95, NJTP, US 9, NJ 440, I 287: New York City, Philadelphia, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy
1754 ft · 43 sec · Exit 129
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 95, NJTP: New York City, Philadelphia
2379 ft · 58 sec
-
13
Keep slight left
926 ft · 24 sec
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
978 ft · 24 sec
-
15
Keep slight left
2312 ft · 56 sec
-
16
Merge slight left onto New Jersey Turnpike
36.7 mi · 42 min · New Jersey Turnpike
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward US 206: Bordentown, Trenton
1.2 km · 2 min
-
18
Keep slight left to continue on US 206 South: Joint Base MDL
1552 ft · 44 sec
-
19
Merge slight left
826 ft · 13 sec
-
20
Continue straight
3.4 mi · 4 min
-
21
Take the exit slight right
111 m · 10 sec
-
22
Turn straight onto Railroad Avenue
136 m · 18 sec · Railroad Avenue
-
23
Turn left onto Columbus Road
847 ft · 25 sec · Columbus Road
-
24
Turn right
25 m · 6 sec
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Paterson and Columbus.
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
Merge slight left onto New Jersey Turnpike
36.7 mi · 00h 42m
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.
Sunny leaving Paterson and Partly Cloudy near Columbus.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Paterson to Columbus?
The road trip is about 72.8 miles (117.1 km) and usually takes 01h 35m 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?
Piscataway is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36.4 miles from Paterson and 36.4 miles from Columbus.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 65.1 miles (104.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.7 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 EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:18 PM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.44 one way or $20.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Paterson and Partly Cloudy near Columbus.
Stop Ideas Near Piscataway
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 Piscataway.
New Brunswick station
Metropark station
Princeton Junction station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Paterson and Columbus. Straight-line distance: 65.06 mi (104.71 km).
#1 Paterson
The third most populous city in New Jersey.
| Population | 144,801 |
| Coordinates | 40.9167700, -74.1718100 |
| Altitude | 26 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Columbus
Columbus is a place in New Jersey, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 40.0726100, -74.7207200 |
| Altitude | 24 |
| Country | United States |
End: Columbus (-74.72072, 40.07261)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 117 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.06 | $10.44 | $20.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.69 | $12.06 | $24.12 |
| Premium | $5.01 | $12.87 | $25.75 |
| Diesel | $6.30 | $16.20 | $32.39 |
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 · Nov 08, 2026