How far is Paterson, NJ from North Cape May, NJ?
The driving distance from Paterson, NJ to North Cape May, NJ is about 163 miles (262.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 140 miles (225.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 20m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 of New Jersey
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Paterson and North Cape May.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paterson and North Cape May.
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1
Start on Colt Street
66 m · 18 sec · Colt Street
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2
Turn right onto Ellison Street
879 ft · 28 sec · Ellison Street
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3
Turn right onto Memorial Drive
744 ft · 15 sec · Memorial Drive
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4
Turn right
81 m · 10 sec
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5
Turn straight onto Ward Street
1656 ft · 34 sec · Ward Street
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6
Continue on Oliver Street
942 ft · 18 sec · Oliver Street
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7
Turn slight left
2 mi · 2 min
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8
Take the exit slight left toward GSP South
2756 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
23.8 mi · 33 min · Garden State Parkway
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10
Continue on Garden State Parkway Southbound
6.2 mi · 8 min · Garden State Parkway Southbound
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Garden State Parkway
1.2 km · 49 sec · Garden State Parkway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Garden State Parkway
125.1 mi · 2 hr 25 min · Garden State Parkway
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13
Turn right onto Shore Road
1 km · 1 min · Shore Road
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 9 South: Cape May Ferry
84 m · 9 sec
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15
Turn left onto Sandman Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · Sandman Boulevard
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16
Continue on Lincoln Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · Lincoln Boulevard
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17
Continue on Lincoln Boulevard
933 ft · 28 sec · Lincoln Boulevard
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18
Turn right onto Pacific Avenue
2894 ft · 2 min · Pacific Avenue
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Pacific Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Paterson and North Cape May.
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
Keep slight right to continue on Garden State Parkway
125 mi · 02h 25m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Paterson and Rain Showers Likely near North Cape May.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Paterson to North Cape May?
The road trip is about 163 miles (262.4 km) and usually takes 03h 20m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Beachwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.5 miles from Paterson and 81.5 miles from North Cape May.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 140 miles (225.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 23 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:20 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.49 one way or $46.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Paterson and Rain Showers Likely near North Cape May.
Stop Ideas Near Beachwood
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 Beachwood.
Princeton Junction station
Trenton Transit Center
Egg Harbor City, New Jersey
Hammonton, New Jersey
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Paterson and North Cape May. Straight-line distance: 140.01 mi (225.32 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 North Cape May
Census designated place
| Population | 3,226 |
| Coordinates | 38.9820600, -74.9579500 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Cape May (-74.95795, 38.98206)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 262 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $23.49 | $46.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $26.44 | $52.89 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $28.49 | $56.97 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $34.39 | $68.77 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.