How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Califon, NJ?
The driving distance from Elizabeth, NJ to Califon, NJ is about 43.5 miles (70 km), with a travel time of about 01h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 33 miles (53.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 03m 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 01m.
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.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elizabeth and Califon.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabeth and Califon.
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1
Start on the route
11 m · 5 sec
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2
Turn right onto East Jersey Street
707 ft · 28 sec · East Jersey Street
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3
Turn right onto Jefferson Avenue
837 ft · 46 sec · Jefferson Avenue
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4
Turn sharp left onto East Grand Street
951 ft · 30 sec · East Grand Street
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5
At the end of the road, turn right onto Broad Street
1 km · 2 min · Broad Street
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6
Keep slight left to continue on North Broad Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · North Broad Street
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7
Turn left onto Hillside Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Hillside Avenue
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8
Turn right onto Chestnut Avenue
2242 ft · 49 sec · Chestnut Avenue
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9
Turn right onto Paine Avenue
112 m · 13 sec · Paine Avenue
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10
Take the ramp left toward I 78 West
2115 ft · 52 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
4.6 mi · 5 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 78 West: Clinton
885 ft · 12 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
23.9 mi · 28 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward CR 523: Oldwick, Whitehouse
1219 ft · 30 sec
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15
Turn right onto Oldwick Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Oldwick Road
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16
Continue on Main Street
2413 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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17
Continue on Old Turnpike Road
4.5 mi · 8 min · Old Turnpike Road
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18
Turn left onto Fairmount Road West
2.8 mi · 5 min · Fairmount Road West
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19
Continue on Academy Street
1.5 km · 2 min · Academy Street
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20
Turn right onto Railroad Avenue
157 m · 30 sec · Railroad Avenue
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21
Turn left onto Main Street
12 m · 2 sec · Main Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elizabeth and Califon.
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
Merge slight left onto Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
23.9 mi · 00h 28m
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 Elizabeth and Mostly Sunny near Califon.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elizabeth to Califon?
The road trip is about 43.5 miles (70 km) and usually takes 01h 01m 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 21.7 miles from Elizabeth and 21.8 miles from Califon.
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 10.5 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 4:26 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.25 one way or $12.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Elizabeth and Mostly Sunny near Califon.
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 Elizabeth and Califon. Straight-line distance: 32.97 mi (53.06 km).
#1 Elizabeth
The second most populous city in Union County, New Jersey.
| Population | 128,382 |
| Coordinates | 40.6639900, -74.2107000 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Califon
Borough in New Jersey, United States
| Population | 1,033 |
| Coordinates | 40.7195400, -74.8357200 |
| Altitude | 146 |
| Country | United States |
End: Califon (-74.83572, 40.71954)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 70 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $6.25 | $12.50 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $7.04 | $14.07 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $7.58 | $15.16 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $9.15 | $18.30 |
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.