Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Fort Lee, NJ to Paterson, NJ

Data updated 3 hours ago

Drive Time

18m

Distance

13.6 mi

22 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$2

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

4 AM
0h 17m ★
6 AM
0h 19m
8 AM
0h 22m
10 AM
0h 20m
12 PM
0h 20m
3 PM
0h 20m
5 PM
0h 22m
8 PM
0h 18m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States of America

Fort Lee, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

city in and the county seat of Passaic County, New Jersey, United States

Paterson, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This short, 13.6-mile drive from Fort Lee to Paterson, NJ, is easily manageable in just 18 minutes, making it a perfect quick trip. With no highway driving and an estimated fuel cost of only $2, it's an economical choice for a local excursion. The route primarily follows Christopher Columbus Highway and Main Street, offering a straightforward journey. Since it's a single-day trip, you won't need an overnight stay. This drive stays within the Northeast region, connecting two points in New Jersey.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

6.8 miles from Fort Lee, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 10m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with no highway segments contributing to the 13.6 miles. Your longest uninterrupted stretch will be 9.4 miles along Christopher Columbus Highway. The drive will feel like navigating through familiar neighborhoods and local thoroughfares rather than open highway cruising. It's a route where you'll be actively engaged with road turns and traffic signals.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Christopher Columbus Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 9.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near NJ 67 / Schlosser Street.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 13.6 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (NJ 67 / Schlosser Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.1 miles (CR 56 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | NJ 67 / Schlosser Street

Turn sharp left onto NJ 67 / Schlosser Street

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

6
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | CR 56 / Main Street

Turn left onto CR 56 / Main Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
2.8 mi into trip | ~5m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 West: Paterson

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 80 West: Paterson
6
12.8 mi into trip | ~17m in

Take the exit toward Paterson

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Paterson
6
13 mi into trip | ~17m in | CR 509 / Main Street

Turn left onto CR 509 / Main Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Fort Lee, NJ to Paterson, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Njtp along the way.

Njtp

2.4 mi in | ~4m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Christopher Columbus Highway 9.4 mi 10m
Main Street 1.3 mi 2m
Fort Lee Road 1.1 mi 2m
Degraw Avenue 0.3 mi <1m
Schlosser Street <0.1 mi <1m
Market Street <0.1 mi <1m
Lemoine Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Colt Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Christopher Columbus Highway — 9.4 mi, about 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Lee, NJ and Paterson, NJ.

1

Start on NJ 67

309 ft · 9 sec · Lemoine Avenue
2

Turn sharp left onto NJ 67

480 ft · 23 sec · Schlosser Street
3

Turn left onto CR 56

0.8 mi · 1 min · Main Street
Use the left lane.
4

Continue on CR 56

1.1 mi · 2 min · Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
5

Continue on CR 56

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Degraw Avenue
6

Turn slight right

263 ft · 9 sec
7

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 30 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 57 sec
Toward I 80 West: Paterson Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on I 80

9.4 mi · 10 min · Christopher Columbus Highway
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 37 sec
Toward Paterson Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Turn left onto CR 509

0.5 mi · 51 sec · Main Street
Use the straight lane.
12

Turn right onto CR 648

453 ft · 15 sec · Market Street
13

Turn left onto Colt Street

42 ft · 3 sec · Colt Street
14

Arrive at destination

Colt Street

Trip Plan

Given its short 18-minute duration, this trip offers great flexibility; you can depart at any time that suits your schedule. With a minimal fuel cost of $2, you won't need to worry about frequent gas stops. Since there are no designated stops provided and the drive is so brief, focus on enjoying the local scenery as you navigate the 13.6 miles. A good tip for this route is to be mindful of the numerous turns indicated by the "turn-heavy" profile, especially if you are unfamiliar with these specific New Jersey roads.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 6.8 miles from Fort Lee, NJ, or about 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 9.4 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 13.6 miles or 18m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 6.8 miles or 10m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 15m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Paterson, NJ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Fort Lee, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Fort Lee, NJ

This is one driving day of about 13.6 miles and 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fort Lee, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Christopher Columbus Highway for about 9.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 6.8 mi from Fort Lee, NJ · 10m into the drive

most populous city in the United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

New York City, NY

7 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 13.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Yonkers, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 6.8 miles from Fort Lee, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Paterson, NJ

The final approach into Paterson, NJ usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Paterson, NJ.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Silk cloth and steam locomotives; textiles and continuous paper rolls; firearms and aircraft engines. What do these things have in common? All were manufactured in the same place - Paterson, NJ. In 17...

0 mi from route ~1 min detour Free near mile 13.6
Caution: Limited Amphitheater Accessibility
Caution: Overlook Park Parking Lot - Vehicles Must Be Parked in a Designated Spot
View on nps.gov
Thomas Edison National Historical Park

Thomas Edison National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Today, the brick buildings on Main Street in West Orange, NJ seem quiet, betraying little evidence of the research, development, and innovation of their heyday. Visitors can step back in time to Thoma...

9 mi from route ~23 min detour $10 near mile 12.2
View on nps.gov
Gateway National Recreation Area

Gateway National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...

20 mi from route ~50 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Morristown National Historical Park

Morristown National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Morristown National Historical Park commemorates the sites of General Washington and the Continental Army’s winter encampment from December 1779 to June 1780, where soldiers survived the coldest winte...

21 mi from route ~54 min detour Free near mile 13.1
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$2.25 one way

$4.51 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 5 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $2.47 $4.94
premium $4.93 $2.64 $5.28
diesel $5.61 $3.00 $6.01

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$27–$52

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 4.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 4.1 0 $1.43 $0.65
Efficient EV 3.4 0 $1.19 $0.54
EV Truck/SUV 5.4 0 $1.90 $0.87

Gas CO2

5 kg

EV CO2

2 kg (60% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 4 hours ago

Origin

Fort Lee, NJ

Night in Fort Lee on Tuesday

Local time

10:07 PM

EDT

Current temp

87°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 14 mph 18% chance Live forecast

Destination

Paterson, NJ

Night in Paterson on Tuesday

Local time

10:07 PM

EDT

Current temp

87°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 12 mph 18% chance Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

18m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Fort Lee, NJ to Paterson, NJ covers 13.6 miles and takes about 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Christopher Columbus Highway, Main Street, Fort Lee Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 6.8 miles from Fort Lee, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.25 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 13.6 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (NJ 67 / Schlosser Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.1 miles (CR 56 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Fort Lee, NJ to Paterson, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Njtp along the way.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Paterson, NJ

Cape May, NJ 161.3 mi · 3h 18m Whitesboro, NJ 153.8 mi · 3h 7m Harmony, NJ 128.4 mi · 2h 50m Linwood, NJ 128 mi · 2h 39m

More from Fort Lee, NJ

Vineland, NJ 120.8 mi · 2h 37m Toms River, NJ 79.2 mi · 1h 42m Brick, NJ 71.8 mi · 1h 34m Trenton, NJ 65.5 mi · 1h 33m Union, NJ 25.4 mi · 32m Union City, NJ 6.7 mi · 22m

More trips to Paterson, NJ

Cape May, NJ 160.9 mi Atlantic City, NJ 129.8 mi Northfield, NJ 125.2 mi Absecon, NJ 122 mi Elmer, NJ 118 mi Elwood, NJ 109.1 mi

Explore more options from Fort Lee, NJ or browse trips ending in Paterson, NJ.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NJ road trips.

Explore maps for Fort Lee, NJ or Paterson, NJ on MapSof.net.