There are
2,957 mi
from Rutherford, NJ to Santa Cruz, CA
That's the driving distance. It would take 2 days 4 hours to go from Rutherford, New Jersey to Santa Cruz, California.
The flight distance (direct flight from Rutherford, NJ to Santa Cruz, CA) is 2,558.56 mi.
2,957 mi = 4,758.83 kms