How far is Princeton Junction, NJ from Paterson, NJ?
The driving distance from Princeton Junction, NJ to Paterson, NJ is about 53.4 miles (85.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 47.6 miles (76.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 24m 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 12m.
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.
Chance Rain Showers
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Princeton Junction and Paterson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Princeton Junction and Paterson.
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1
Start on Cranbury Road
18 m · 6 sec · Cranbury Road
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2
Turn right onto Princeton-Hightstown Road
1521 ft · 33 sec · Princeton-Hightstown Road
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3
Turn right onto Washington Road
75 m · 5 sec · Washington Road
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4
Continue on Washington Road
1 mi · 2 min · Washington Road
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Washington Road
23 m · 4 sec · Brunswick Pike
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6
Exit the rotary onto Brunswick Pike
12.9 mi · 18 min · Brunswick Pike
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7
Keep slight left
603 ft · 9 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick
154 m · 8 sec
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9
Keep slight left
112 m · 6 sec
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10
Keep slight left
2.7 mi · 4 min
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11
Continue straight
1.6 km · 1 min
-
12
Continue straight
969 ft · 17 sec
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13
Continue straight
1162 ft · 20 sec
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14
Continue straight
5.9 mi · 9 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward GSP Toll North: Garden State Parkway
2305 ft · 1 min
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16
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
25.1 mi · 35 min · Garden State Parkway
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17
Take the exit slight left toward NJ 19: Paterson
1.1 km · 1 min
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18
Merge slight left
1.7 mi · 2 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West: Grand Street, Del Water Gap
96 m · 8 sec
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Grand Street
783 ft · 23 sec
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21
Turn right onto Grand Street
941 ft · 27 sec · Grand Street
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22
Turn left onto Main Street
1458 ft · 29 sec · Main Street
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23
Turn right onto Market Street
138 m · 16 sec · Market Street
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24
Turn left onto Colt Street
13 m · 3 sec · Colt Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Colt Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Princeton Junction and Paterson.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Garden State Parkway
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
25.1 mi · 00h 35m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Princeton Junction and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Paterson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Princeton Junction to Paterson?
The road trip is about 53.4 miles (85.9 km) and usually takes 01h 12m 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 Princeton Junction and 26.7 miles from Paterson.
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 4:06 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 Chance Rain Showers around Princeton Junction and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly 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 Princeton Junction and Paterson. Straight-line distance: 47.62 mi (76.64 km).
#1 Princeton Junction
Town
| Population | 2,465 |
| Coordinates | 40.3173300, -74.6198800 |
| Altitude | 23 |
| 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: 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.