How far is Cape May, NJ from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance from Cape May, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ is about 146 miles (235 km), with a travel time of about 02h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 125 miles (201.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 50m 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 02h 25m.
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.
Township of New Jersey
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cape May and Elizabeth.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cape May and Elizabeth.
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1
Start on the route
25 m · 11 sec
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2
Turn left onto New York Avenue
32 m · 7 sec · New York Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Reading Avenue
1.1 km · 3 min · Reading Avenue
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4
Turn right onto Massachusetts Avenue
99 m · 20 sec · Massachusetts Avenue
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5
Turn left onto East Street
92 m · 15 sec · East Street
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6
Turn right onto Washington Street
1088 ft · 24 sec · Washington Street
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Washington Street
31 m · 2 sec · Washington Street
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8
Turn straight onto Lafayette Street
1.6 km · 2 min · Lafayette Street
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9
Turn straight onto Garden State Parkway
19.1 mi · 22 min · Garden State Parkway
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10
Take the exit slight left
2408 ft · 32 sec
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11
Merge slight right onto Garden State Parkway
33.8 mi · 39 min · Garden State Parkway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Garden State Parkway
50.2 mi · 59 min · Garden State Parkway
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13
Keep slight left
2399 ft · 31 sec
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14
Continue on Garden State Parkway
22.4 mi · 27 min · Garden State Parkway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward GSP North, US 9 North, NJ 440: Woodbridge, Staten Island
1.2 mi · 2 min · Garden State Parkway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on US 9 North, I 287, NJ 440: Woodbridge, Staten Island
1284 ft · 25 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on US 9 North: Woodbridge
1837 ft · 45 sec
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18
Merge slight left
9.2 mi · 15 min
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19
Keep slight left to continue on East Edgar Road
1.1 km · 1 min · East Edgar Road
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20
Continue on Carlton Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · Carlton Street
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21
Turn right
18 m · 6 sec
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22
Turn right
117 m · 28 sec
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23
Turn right
85 m · 22 sec
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24
Turn right onto East Jersey Street
1535 ft · 50 sec · East Jersey Street
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25
Turn right
11 m · 3 sec
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cape May 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.
Garden State Parkway
Keep slight left to continue on Garden State Parkway
50.2 mi · 00h 59m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Cape May 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 Cape May to Elizabeth?
The road trip is about 146 miles (235 km) and usually takes 02h 25m 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?
Barnegat is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.1 miles from Cape May and 74.9 miles from Elizabeth.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 125 miles (201.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 21 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 1:40 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.04 one way or $42.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cape May and Chance Rain Showers near Elizabeth.
Stop Ideas Near Barnegat
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 Barnegat.
Egg Harbor City, New Jersey
Absecon
Atlantic City Rail Terminal
Hammonton, New Jersey
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cape May and Elizabeth. Straight-line distance: 125.03 mi (201.21 km).
#1 Cape May
City in New Jersey
| Population | 3,404 |
| Coordinates | 38.9351100, -74.9060100 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| 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: 235 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $21.04 | $42.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $23.68 | $47.37 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $25.51 | $51.03 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $30.80 | $61.59 |
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.