How far is Paterson, NJ from Princeton Junction, NJ?
The driving distance from Paterson, NJ to Princeton Junction, NJ is about 53.4 miles (85.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 47.6 miles (76.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 35m 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 17m.
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Paterson and Princeton Junction.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paterson and Princeton Junction.
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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
1.3 mi · 2 min · Garden State Parkway Southbound
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 1: Newark, Trenton
1110 ft · 27 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on US 1 South: Trenton
1453 ft · 35 sec
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13
Merge slight left
636 ft · 13 sec
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14
Continue straight
2.1 mi · 3 min
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15
Continue straight
7.4 mi · 11 min
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16
Continue straight
634 ft · 10 sec
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17
Keep slight left
84 m · 4 sec
-
18
Keep slight left
118 m · 6 sec
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19
Keep slight left
3.6 mi · 5 min
-
20
Continue straight
9.5 mi · 14 min
-
21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward Washington Road
104 m · 8 sec · Washington Road
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22
Exit the rotary onto Washington Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Washington Road
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23
Continue on Washington Road
25 m · 2 sec · Washington Road
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24
Turn right onto Princeton-Hightstown Road
1521 ft · 40 sec · Princeton-Hightstown Road
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25
Turn left onto Cranbury Road
18 m · 2 sec · Cranbury Road
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cranbury Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Paterson and Princeton Junction.
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
23.8 mi · 00h 33m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny leaving Paterson and Chance Rain Showers near Princeton Junction.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Paterson to Princeton Junction?
The road trip is about 53.4 miles (85.9 km) and usually takes 01h 17m 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 26.7 miles from Paterson and 26.7 miles from Princeton Junction.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 47.6 miles (76.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.8 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 3:54 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.68 one way or $15.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.7 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 Princeton Junction.
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 Paterson and Princeton Junction. Straight-line distance: 47.62 mi (76.64 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 Princeton Junction
Town
| Population | 2,465 |
| Coordinates | 40.3173300, -74.6198800 |
| Altitude | 23 |
| Country | United States |
End: Princeton Junction (-74.61988, 40.31733)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 86 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $7.68 | $15.36 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $8.65 | $17.29 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $9.31 | $18.63 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $11.24 | $22.48 |
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.