How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Cape May, NJ?
The driving distance from Elizabeth, NJ to Cape May, NJ is about 143.2 miles (230.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 125 miles (201.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 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 02h 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.
Township of New Jersey
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elizabeth and Cape May.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabeth and Cape May.
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1
Start on the route
11 m · 8 sec
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2
Turn left onto East Jersey Street
1164 ft · 38 sec · East Jersey Street
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3
Turn right
1.1 mi · 2 min
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward Bayway Circle
763 ft · 19 sec · Bayway
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5
Exit the rotary onto Bayway
1 km · 1 min · Bayway
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6
Turn right onto Brunswick Avenue
755 ft · 19 sec · Brunswick Avenue
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7
Take the ramp left toward I 95 Toll, NJTP Toll: NJ Turnpike
1506 ft · 46 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
750 ft · 12 sec
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9
Keep slight left
2405 ft · 37 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto New Jersey Turnpike
6.9 mi · 8 min · New Jersey Turnpike
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11
Take the exit slight right toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge
1.4 mi · 3 min · Exit to GSP and US Route 9
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12
Keep slight left to continue on GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy
1372 ft · 33 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on GSP Southbound entrance
2594 ft · 1 min · GSP Southbound entrance
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14
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
3 mi · 4 min · Garden State Parkway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Garden State Parkway
1.2 km · 49 sec · Garden State Parkway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Garden State Parkway
125.2 mi · 2 hr 25 min · Garden State Parkway
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17
Continue on Lafayette Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Lafayette Street
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18
Turn left onto Sidney Avenue
84 m · 8 sec · Sidney Avenue
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19
At the end of the road, turn right onto Washington Street
89 m · 13 sec · Washington Street
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20
Turn left onto East Street
92 m · 15 sec · East Street
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21
Turn right onto Massachusetts Avenue
99 m · 16 sec · Massachusetts Avenue
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22
Turn left onto Reading Avenue
1.1 km · 3 min · Reading Avenue
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23
Turn left onto New York Avenue
32 m · 6 sec · New York Avenue
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24
Turn right
25 m · 6 sec
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elizabeth and Cape May.
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 right to continue on Garden State Parkway
125 mi · 02h 25m
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.
Sunny leaving Elizabeth and Sunny near Cape May.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elizabeth to Cape May?
The road trip is about 143.2 miles (230.5 km) and usually takes 02h 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?
Barnegat is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.6 miles from Elizabeth and 71.6 miles from Cape May.
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 18.2 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 12:42 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.63 one way or $41.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Elizabeth and Sunny near Cape May.
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 Elizabeth and Cape May. Straight-line distance: 125.03 mi (201.21 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 Cape May
City in New Jersey
| Population | 3,404 |
| Coordinates | 38.9351100, -74.9060100 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cape May (-74.90601, 38.93511)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 231 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $20.63 | $41.27 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $23.22 | $46.45 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $25.02 | $50.04 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $30.20 | $60.40 |
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 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.