How far is South Orange, NJ from Paterson, NJ?
The driving distance from South Orange, NJ to Paterson, NJ is about 17.1 miles (27.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 12.5 miles (20.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 28m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Essex County, New Jersey, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South Orange and Paterson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Orange and Paterson.
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1
Start on the route
758 ft · 1 min
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Orange Avenue
2.5 mi · 6 min · South Orange Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Oraton Parkway
669 ft · 13 sec · Oraton Parkway
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4
Keep slight left to continue on 14th Avenue
106 m · 8 sec · 14th Avenue
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5
Take the ramp left toward GSP Toll North
835 ft · 21 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
9.8 mi · 13 min · Garden State Parkway
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7
Take the exit slight left toward NJ 19: Paterson
1.1 km · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left
1.7 mi · 2 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West: Grand Street, Del Water Gap
96 m · 8 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Grand Street
783 ft · 23 sec
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11
Turn right onto Grand Street
941 ft · 27 sec · Grand Street
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12
Turn left onto Main Street
1458 ft · 29 sec · Main Street
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13
Turn right onto Market Street
138 m · 16 sec · Market Street
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14
Turn left onto Colt Street
13 m · 3 sec · Colt Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Colt Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Orange 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
9.78 mi · 00h 13m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving South Orange 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 South Orange to Paterson?
The road trip is about 17.1 miles (27.6 km) and usually takes 00h 28m 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?
Bloomfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8 miles from South Orange and 9.2 miles from Paterson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 12.5 miles (20.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.6 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 7:34 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.45 one way or $4.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around South Orange and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Paterson.
Stop Ideas Near Bloomfield
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall Parking Lot
#Artlook New York City Hall Wedding Photographer
City Hall Personnel Office
Diamond City Hall Photography
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bloomfield.
Pennsylvania Station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Pennsylvania Station
Yonkers station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Orange and Paterson. Straight-line distance: 12.5 mi (20.12 km).
#1 South Orange
Town in Essex County, New Jersey
| Population | 17,295 |
| Coordinates | 40.7489900, -74.2612600 |
| Altitude | 45 |
| 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: 28 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $2.45 | $4.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $2.76 | $5.52 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $2.97 | $5.94 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $3.59 | $7.18 |
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.