How far is Rutherford, NJ from Paterson, NJ?

The driving distance from Rutherford, NJ to Paterson, NJ is about 9.3 miles (14.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 15m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 7.1 miles (11.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
9.25 mi
00h 15m
Flight
7.1 mi
11.43 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Rutherford.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
7.1 mi
Kilometers
11.43 km
Flight Time

Driving Distance

Road route
9.25 mi
Kilometers
14.88 km
Drive Time
00h 15m

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 00h 15m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Paterson
Sat, May 2, 9:31 PM EDT
Return by in Rutherford
Sat, May 2, 9:46 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Rutherford
2026-05-02T21:15
Arrive Paterson
Sat, May 2, 9:31 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 15m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:16 AM to 7:16 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:58 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Rutherford
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

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
Garfield
NJ

City in Bergen County, New Jersey

From Rutherford
4.7 mi
00h 07m
To Paterson
4.5 mi
00h 07m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
60°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 8 mph W
Destination
58°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 12 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Park Avenue

    1678 ft · 54 sec · Park Avenue

  2. 2

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West Erie Avenue

    42 m · 3 sec · West Erie Avenue

  3. 3

    Exit the roundabout onto West Erie Avenue

    104 m · 7 sec · West Erie Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Union Avenue

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Union Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn slight right

    27 m · 2 sec

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight right toward Passaic

    1560 ft · 38 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    3.4 mi · 4 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight right

    1233 ft · 15 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on McLean Boulevard

    2284 ft · 28 sec · McLean Boulevard

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80: Elmwood Park, Paterson

    1009 ft · 25 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Market Street, Paterson, Elmwood Park

    147 m · 12 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Market Street, Paterson

    133 m · 10 sec

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    1019 ft · 20 sec

  14. 14

    Take the ramp straight toward I 80 West: Delaware Water Gap

    1232 ft · 30 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto Christopher Columbus Highway

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Christopher Columbus Highway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward Paterson

    1249 ft · 38 sec

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Main Street

    2506 ft · 51 sec · Main Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Market Street

    138 m · 16 sec · Market Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Colt Street

    13 m · 3 sec · Colt Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Colt Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
20 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
217.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Passaic
3.96 mi · 43%
Christopher Columbus Highway
1.86 mi · 20%
Union Avenue
1.47 mi · 16%
Main Street
0.47 mi · 5%
Market Street
0.45 mi · 5%
McLean Boulevard
0.43 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Passaic

Merge slight left

3.43 mi · 00h 04m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 15m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+2.2 mi
7.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Garfield
00h 07m from Rutherford
Leave By
7:58 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Rutherford and Mostly Sunny near Paterson.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 9.3 miles (14.9 km) and usually takes 00h 15m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Garfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 4.7 miles from Rutherford and 4.5 miles from Paterson.

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

The direct path is about 7.1 miles (11.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.2 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:58 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.35 one way or $2.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 2.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Rutherford and Mostly Sunny near Paterson.

Stop Ideas Near Garfield

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 Garfield and the surrounding midpoint area.
City Hall Parking Lot
Scenic stop 12 mi away

City Hall Parking Lot

Jersey City , NJ
280 Grove St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews Parking lot
#Artlook New York City Hall Wedding Photographer
Practical stop 13 mi away

#Artlook New York City Hall Wedding Photographer

New York , NY
141 Worth St, New York, NY 10013
Rating 5.0/5 13 reviews Photographer,Photography service,Photography studio,Wedding photographer
City Hall Personnel Office
Meeting point 10.5 mi away

City Hall Personnel Office

Newark , NJ
920 Broad St, Newark, NJ 07102
Rating 5.0/5 5 reviews City government office
Diamond City Hall Photography
Nearby stop 13 mi away

Diamond City Hall Photography

New York , NY
141 Worth St, New York, NY 10013
Rating 5.0/5 53 reviews Wedding photographer

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

17 mi away
1 Raymond Plaza West
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

18 mi away
8th Ave 31st Street / 8th Ave 33rd Street
RAIL

Yonkers station

19 mi away
5 Buena Vista Ave.
RAIL

Newark Liberty International Airport

21 mi away
Newark Liberty International Airport

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Rutherford and Paterson. Straight-line distance: 7.1 mi (11.43 km).

Rutherford

#1 Rutherford

Borough in New Jersey, United States

Population18,209
Coordinates40.8264900, -74.1068100
Altitude28
CountryUnited States
Paterson

#2 Paterson

The third most populous city in New Jersey.

Population144,801
Coordinates40.9167700, -74.1718100
Altitude26
CountryUnited States
Start: Park Avenue (-74.106724, 40.826363)
End: Colt Street (-74.171665, 40.916732)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 15 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 07m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 06m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.33 gal
1.24 L · about $1.35
Round trip
$2.70
0.66 gal · 2.48 L
Estimated CO2
2.9 kg one way
Round trip: 5.9 kg / 13 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $1.35 $2.70
Mid-grade $4.60 $1.52 $3.04
Premium $4.95 $1.63 $3.27
Diesel $5.98 $1.97 $3.95

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 · May 03, 2026

There is no time difference between Rutherford and Paterson. The current time is 21:15:32.

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.