How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Manhattan, NY?
The driving distance from Elizabeth, NJ to Manhattan, NY is about 20.6 miles (33.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 15.2 miles (24.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 39m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
The second most populous city in New Jersey and the center of the Jersey City metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elizabeth and Manhattan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabeth and Manhattan.
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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 · 36 sec · East Jersey Street
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3
Turn left onto Spring Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Spring Street
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4
Keep slight left
5.8 mi · 8 min
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5
Merge slight right onto Pulaski Skyway
3.2 mi · 5 min · Pulaski Skyway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 1-9 North: Jersey City, Lincoln Tunnel
2.8 mi · 4 min
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7
Continue on Tonnelle Avenue
933 ft · 16 sec · Tonnelle Avenue
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8
Turn straight
736 ft · 31 sec
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9
At the end of the road, turn right onto Paterson Plank Road
647 ft · 20 sec · Paterson Plank Road
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10
Turn left onto Columbia Avenue
128 m · 9 sec · Columbia Avenue
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11
Turn right onto 30th Street
591 ft · 12 sec · 30th Street
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12
Turn slight left
735 ft · 29 sec
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13
Take the ramp straight toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel
545 ft · 14 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Tunnel, Manhattan
2165 ft · 37 sec
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Weehawken, Hoboken, Ferries to New York City
568 ft · 16 sec
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16
Continue on South Marginal Highway
645 ft · 11 sec · South Marginal Highway
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17
Turn right onto Boulevard East
2267 ft · 1 min · Boulevard East
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18
Take the ramp right toward Lincoln Tunnel, New York City
38 m · 15 sec
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19
Turn right onto Lincoln Tunnel access
934 ft · 57 sec
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20
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Tunnel
1.6 mi · 5 min · Lincoln Tunnel
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21
Keep slight left to continue on 42nd Street
690 ft · 17 sec
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22
Continue on Dyer Avenue
671 ft · 24 sec · Dyer Avenue
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23
Turn left onto West 42nd Street
2255 ft · 1 min · West 42nd Street
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24
Turn right onto 12th Avenue
1.2 km · 2 min · 12th Avenue
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25
Continue on West Side Highway
1.3 km · 1 min · West Side Highway
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26
Continue on Henry Hudson Parkway
794 ft · 14 sec · Henry Hudson Parkway
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27
Take the exit slight right toward West 79 Street
906 ft · 28 sec
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28
Turn right onto West 79th Street
875 ft · 36 sec · West 79th Street
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29
Turn left onto Broadway
1957 ft · 57 sec · Broadway
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30
Turn right onto West 86th Street
2245 ft · 1 min · West 86th Street
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31
Continue on 86th Street Transverse
1066 ft · 36 sec · 86th Street Transverse
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 86th Street Transverse
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elizabeth and Manhattan.
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.
Spring Street
Keep slight left
5.85 mi · 00h 08m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Elizabeth and Mostly Cloudy near Manhattan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elizabeth to Manhattan?
The road trip is about 20.6 miles (33.2 km) and usually takes 00h 39m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Jersey City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.3 miles from Elizabeth and 10.3 miles from Manhattan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 15.2 miles (24.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.4 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:12 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.98 one way or $5.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Elizabeth and Mostly Cloudy near Manhattan.
Stop Ideas Near Jersey City
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall Parking Lot
#Artlook New York City Hall Wedding Photographer
City Hall Personnel Office
Diamond City Hall Photography
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Jersey City.
Pennsylvania Station
Pennsylvania Station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Yonkers station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elizabeth and Manhattan. Straight-line distance: 15.23 mi (24.51 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 Manhattan
The most densely populated borough of New York City.
| Population | 1,644,518 |
| Coordinates | 40.7834300, -73.9662500 |
| Altitude | 35 |
| Country | United States |
End: Manhattan (-73.96625, 40.78343)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 33 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $2.98 | $5.97 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $3.36 | $6.71 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $3.62 | $7.23 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $4.37 | $8.73 |
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 · Aug 08, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.