How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Lafayette, NJ?

The driving distance from Elizabeth, NJ to Lafayette, NJ is about 47.3 miles (76.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 08m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 39 miles (62.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
47.31 mi
01h 08m
Flight
39.04 mi
62.83 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Elizabeth.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
39.04 mi
Kilometers
62.83 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
47.31 mi
Kilometers
76.14 km
Drive Time
01h 08m

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 08m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lafayette
Thu, May 7, 11:46 AM EDT
Return by in Elizabeth
Thu, May 7, 12:54 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Elizabeth
2026-05-07T10:38
Arrive Lafayette
Thu, May 7, 11:46 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 08m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:08 AM to 11:08 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:14 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Elizabeth
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Parsippany
NJ

Township in Morris County, New Jersey, United States

From Elizabeth
23.7 mi
00h 34m
To Lafayette
23.7 mi
00h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
52°F
Overnight

Scattered Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, May 7 12:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 mph NW
Destination
63°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 7 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Elizabeth and Lafayette.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Elizabeth and Lafayette.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    11 m · 5 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East Jersey Street

    707 ft · 28 sec · East Jersey Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Jefferson Avenue

    837 ft · 46 sec · Jefferson Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn sharp left onto East Grand Street

    951 ft · 30 sec · East Grand Street

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Broad Street

    1 km · 2 min · Broad Street

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on North Broad Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · North Broad Street

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Hillside Avenue

    1 mi · 2 min · Hillside Avenue

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Chestnut Avenue

    2036 ft · 41 sec · Chestnut Avenue

  9. 9

    Continue on Coit Street

    2910 ft · 1 min · Coit Street

  10. 10

    Turn slight left onto Grove Street

    2.9 mi · 6 min · Grove Street

  11. 11

    Take the ramp left toward I 280

    982 ft · 24 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 280 West: The Oranges

    943 ft · 23 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on I 280 West: The Oranges

    627 ft · 15 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Essex Freeway

    11.5 mi · 14 min · Essex Freeway

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on I 280 West, I 80 West

    2420 ft · 32 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight right onto Christopher Columbus Highway

    11.4 mi · 13 min · Christopher Columbus Highway

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward NJ 15 North: Sparta, Jefferson

    1 km · 1 min

  18. 18

    Continue on NJ 15 North

    15.1 mi · 22 min · NJ 15 North

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Meadows Road

    39 m · 3 sec · Meadows Road

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Meadows Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Elizabeth and Lafayette.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
20 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
42.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
NJ 15 North
15.8 mi · 33%
Essex Freeway
11.5 mi · 24%
Christopher Columbus Highway
11.4 mi · 24%
Grove Street
2.93 mi · 6%
North Broad Street
1.58 mi · 3%
Hillside Avenue
1.03 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

NJ 15 North

Continue on NJ 15 North

15.1 mi · 00h 22m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 08m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.3 mi
39 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Parsippany
00h 34m from Elizabeth
Leave By
4:14 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Scattered Rain Showers leaving Elizabeth and Sunny near Lafayette.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Elizabeth to Lafayette?

The road trip is about 47.3 miles (76.1 km) and usually takes 01h 08m 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?

Parsippany is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.7 miles from Elizabeth and 23.7 miles from Lafayette.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 39 miles (62.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.3 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 4:14 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.82 one way or $13.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Scattered Rain Showers around Elizabeth and Sunny near Lafayette.

Stop Ideas Near Parsippany

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Parsippany and the surrounding midpoint area.
West Orange Town Hall
Scenic stop 12.2 mi away

West Orange Town Hall

West Orange , NJ
66 Main St, West Orange, NJ 07052
Rating 4.1/5 16 reviews Park
City of East Orange
Meeting point 14.1 mi away

City of East Orange

East Orange , NJ
44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, NJ 07017
Rating 4.2/5 6 reviews City government office
Clifton Recycle in City Hall
Nearby stop 14.6 mi away

Clifton Recycle in City Hall

Clifton , NJ
Recycle Drive, Clifton, NJ 07013
Rating 4.6/5 44 reviews Recycling drop-off location

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Parsippany.

RAIL

Newark Liberty International Airport

26 mi away
Newark Liberty International Airport
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

26 mi away
1 Raymond Plaza West
RAIL

Metropark station

33 mi away
100 Middlesex-Essex Turnpike
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

38 mi away
8th Ave 31st Street / 8th Ave 33rd Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Elizabeth and Lafayette. Straight-line distance: 39.04 mi (62.83 km).

Elizabeth

#1 Elizabeth

The second most populous city in Union County, New Jersey.

Population128,382
Coordinates40.6639900, -74.2107000
Altitude6
CountryUnited States
Lafayette

#2 Lafayette

Township in Sussex County, New Jersey

Population2,352
Coordinates41.0984300, -74.6885000
Altitude170
CountryUnited States
Start: Elizabeth (-74.2107, 40.66399)
End: Lafayette (-74.6885, 41.09843)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 76 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 34m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 10m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 47m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.67 gal
6.32 L · about $6.82
Round trip
$13.65
3.34 gal · 12.64 L
Estimated CO2
14.8 kg one way
Round trip: 29.7 kg / 65 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $6.82 $13.65
Mid-grade $4.60 $7.68 $15.36
Premium $4.95 $8.27 $16.55
Diesel $5.98 $9.99 $19.97

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 07, 2026

There is no time difference between Elizabeth and Lafayette. The current time is 10:38:06.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.