How far is Surf City, NJ from Paterson, NJ?
The driving distance from Surf City, NJ to Paterson, NJ is about 103 miles (165.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 86.7 miles (139.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 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 47m.
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.
Borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Surf City and Paterson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Surf City and Paterson.
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1
Start on North 12th Street
152 m · 26 sec · North 12th Street
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2
Turn left onto North Central Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · North Central Avenue
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3
Turn right onto West 8th Street
1752 ft · 39 sec · West 8th Street
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4
Continue on West 8th Street
47 m · 3 sec · West 8th Street
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5
Continue on Manahawkin Bay Bridge
6.4 mi · 9 min · Manahawkin Bay Bridge
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6
Take the exit slight right toward GSP Toll North
1153 ft · 37 sec
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7
Continue on GSP Northbound entrance ramp
1040 ft · 25 sec · GSP Northbound entrance ramp
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8
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
39.2 mi · 46 min · Garden State Parkway
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9
Keep slight left
2399 ft · 31 sec
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10
Continue on Garden State Parkway
51.7 mi · 1 hr 7 min · Garden State Parkway
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11
Take the exit slight left toward NJ 19: Paterson
1.1 km · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left
1.7 mi · 2 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West: Grand Street, Del Water Gap
96 m · 8 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Grand Street
783 ft · 23 sec
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15
Turn right onto Grand Street
941 ft · 27 sec · Grand Street
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16
Turn left onto Main Street
1458 ft · 29 sec · Main Street
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17
Turn right onto Market Street
138 m · 16 sec · Market Street
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18
Turn left onto Colt Street
13 m · 3 sec · Colt Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Colt Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Surf City and Paterson.
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
Continue on Garden State Parkway
51.7 mi · 01h 07m
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Surf City and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Paterson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Surf City to Paterson?
The road trip is about 103 miles (165.7 km) and usually takes 01h 47m 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?
Tinton Falls is a useful midpoint, sitting about 51.4 miles from Surf City and 51.5 miles from Paterson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 86.7 miles (139.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.3 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 2:54 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.83 one way or $29.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Surf City and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Paterson.
Stop Ideas Near Tinton Falls
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 Tinton Falls.
Metropark station
New Brunswick station
Princeton Junction station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Surf City and Paterson. Straight-line distance: 86.69 mi (139.52 km).
#1 Surf City
Borough in Ocean County, New Jersey
| Population | 1,205 |
| Coordinates | 39.6620600, -74.1651400 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| 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: 166 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $14.83 | $29.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $16.69 | $33.39 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $17.98 | $35.97 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $21.71 | $43.41 |
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.