How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Highlands, NJ?
The driving distance from Elizabeth, NJ to Highlands, NJ is about 35.4 miles (56.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 21.4 miles (34.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 46m 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 53m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in New Jersey
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elizabeth and Highlands.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabeth and Highlands.
-
1
Start on the route
11 m · 8 sec
-
2
Turn left onto East Jersey Street
1164 ft · 38 sec · East Jersey Street
-
3
Turn right
1.1 mi · 2 min
-
4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward Bayway Circle
763 ft · 19 sec · Bayway
-
5
Exit the rotary onto Bayway
1 km · 1 min · Bayway
-
6
Turn right onto Brunswick Avenue
755 ft · 19 sec · Brunswick Avenue
-
7
Take the ramp left toward I 95 Toll, NJTP Toll: NJ Turnpike
1506 ft · 46 sec
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
750 ft · 12 sec
-
9
Keep slight left
2405 ft · 37 sec
-
10
Merge slight left onto New Jersey Turnpike
6.9 mi · 8 min · New Jersey Turnpike
-
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
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy
1372 ft · 33 sec
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on GSP Southbound entrance
2594 ft · 1 min · GSP Southbound entrance
-
14
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
3 mi · 4 min · Garden State Parkway
-
15
Keep slight left to continue on Garden State Parkway
1.2 km · 49 sec · Garden State Parkway
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on Garden State Parkway
6.6 mi · 8 min · Garden State Parkway
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward NJ 35, NJ 36 South: Hazlet, Keyport
3026 ft · 1 min
-
18
Keep slight left
50 m · 4 sec
-
19
Keep slight right to continue on NJ 35: Hazlet
969 ft · 28 sec
-
20
Merge slight left
3.7 mi · 6 min
-
21
Take the exit slight right
551 ft · 20 sec
-
22
Continue straight
1.8 mi · 3 min
-
23
Turn left onto Leonardville Road
3.2 mi · 5 min · Leonardville Road
-
24
Take the ramp straight
106 m · 10 sec
-
25
Merge slight left
2.5 mi · 4 min
-
26
Take the exit right toward Highlands Business District, Seastreak Ferry
2118 ft · 1 min
-
27
Turn slight left onto Waterwitch Avenue
149 m · 18 sec · Waterwitch Avenue
-
28
Turn right onto Bay Avenue
788 ft · 24 sec · Bay Avenue
-
29
Turn right onto Sea Drift Avenue
24 m · 3 sec · Sea Drift Avenue
-
30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Sea Drift Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elizabeth and Highlands.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
New Jersey Turnpike
Merge slight left onto New Jersey Turnpike
6.92 mi · 00h 08m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Elizabeth and Rain Showers Likely near Highlands.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elizabeth to Highlands?
The road trip is about 35.4 miles (56.9 km) and usually takes 00h 53m 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?
South Amboy is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.6 miles from Elizabeth and 17.7 miles from Highlands.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 21.4 miles (34.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 14 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 4:44 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.11 one way or $10.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Elizabeth and Rain Showers Likely near Highlands.
Stop Ideas Near South Amboy
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 South Amboy.
Metropark station
New Brunswick station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Pennsylvania Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elizabeth and Highlands. Straight-line distance: 21.35 mi (34.36 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 Highlands
Borough of New Jersey
| Population | 4,693 |
| Coordinates | 40.4037200, -73.9915300 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| Country | United States |
End: Highlands (-73.99153, 40.40372)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 57 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $5.11 | $10.22 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $5.75 | $11.50 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $6.19 | $12.39 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $7.48 | $14.95 |
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 · May 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.