How far is Califon, NJ from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance from Califon, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ is about 46.5 miles (74.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 33 miles (53.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 48m 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 00h 54m.
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 Somerset County, New Jersey, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Califon and Elizabeth.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Califon and Elizabeth.
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1
Start on Main Street
12 m · 7 sec · Main Street
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2
Turn right onto Railroad Avenue
157 m · 26 sec · Railroad Avenue
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3
Turn left onto Academy Street
1.5 km · 2 min · Academy Street
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4
Continue on Fairmount Road West
2.8 mi · 5 min · Fairmount Road West
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5
Turn right onto Old Turnpike Road
4.5 mi · 8 min · Old Turnpike Road
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6
Continue on Main Street
2413 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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7
Continue on Oldwick Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Oldwick Road
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8
Take the ramp sharp left toward I 78 East: Newark
1722 ft · 42 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
6.4 mi · 7 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
16.6 mi · 19 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
5.8 mi · 7 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Hillside, Irvington
748 ft · 18 sec
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Hillside
573 ft · 30 sec
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14
Continue on Winans Avenue
1309 ft · 40 sec · Winans Avenue
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15
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
2040 ft · 1 min · Liberty Avenue
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16
Turn left onto Hillside Avenue
1782 ft · 38 sec · Hillside Avenue
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17
Continue on Hillside Avenue
2125 ft · 47 sec · Hillside Avenue
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18
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Broad Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · North Broad Street
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19
Turn left onto North Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · North Avenue
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20
Turn right onto Spring Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Spring Street
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21
Turn right onto East Jersey Street
1164 ft · 36 sec · East Jersey Street
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22
Turn right
11 m · 3 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Califon and Elizabeth.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Keep slight right to continue on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
16.6 mi · 00h 19m
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 Califon and Chance Rain Showers near Elizabeth.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Califon to Elizabeth?
The road trip is about 46.5 miles (74.9 km) and usually takes 00h 54m 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?
Watchung is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.1 miles from Califon and 24.5 miles from Elizabeth.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 33 miles (53.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.5 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 4:42 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.70 one way or $13.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Califon and Chance Rain Showers near Elizabeth.
Stop Ideas Near Watchung
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 Watchung.
Metropark station
New Brunswick station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Pennsylvania Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Califon and Elizabeth. Straight-line distance: 32.97 mi (53.06 km).
#1 Califon
Borough in New Jersey, United States
| Population | 1,033 |
| Coordinates | 40.7195400, -74.8357200 |
| Altitude | 146 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elizabeth
The second most populous city in Union County, New Jersey.
| Population | 128,382 |
| Coordinates | 40.6639900, -74.2107000 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-74.210651, 40.663974)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 75 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $6.70 | $13.40 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $7.54 | $15.08 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $8.12 | $16.25 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $9.81 | $19.61 |
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.