How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Metuchen, NJ?
The driving distance from Elizabeth, NJ to Metuchen, NJ is about 12.9 miles (20.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 11.6 miles (18.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 46m 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 23m.
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.
Town in New Jersey, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elizabeth and Metuchen.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabeth and Metuchen.
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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
Continue on Carlton Street
1183 ft · 19 sec · Carlton Street
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5
Continue straight
3.5 mi · 7 min
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6
Continue straight
1387 ft · 28 sec
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7
Continue straight
3.1 mi · 5 min
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8
Keep slight right
1.8 mi · 3 min
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9
Continue straight
1 mi · 2 min
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10
Take the exit slight right
661 ft · 14 sec
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11
Turn right onto Grandview Avenue
1624 ft · 40 sec · Grandview Avenue
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12
Continue on Woodbridge Avenue
1.3 km · 3 min · Woodbridge Avenue
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13
At the end of the road, turn right onto Main Street
1442 ft · 39 sec · Main Street
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14
Turn left onto Middlesex Avenue
64 m · 7 sec · Middlesex Avenue
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Middlesex Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elizabeth and Metuchen.
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.
Carlton Street
Continue straight
3.54 mi · 00h 07m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Elizabeth and Chance Rain Showers near Metuchen.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elizabeth to Metuchen?
The road trip is about 12.9 miles (20.7 km) and usually takes 00h 23m 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?
Avenel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.4 miles from Elizabeth and 6.4 miles from Metuchen.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 11.6 miles (18.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 1.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:44 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.84 one way or $3.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Elizabeth and Chance Rain Showers near Metuchen.
Stop Ideas Near Avenel
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
West Orange Town Hall
City of Elizabeth
Bloomfield Municipal Building
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Avenel.
Metropark station
Newark Liberty International Airport
New Brunswick station
Pennsylvania Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elizabeth and Metuchen. Straight-line distance: 11.56 mi (18.61 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 Metuchen
Borough in New Jersey, United States
| Population | 14,767 |
| Coordinates | 40.5431600, -74.3632000 |
| Altitude | 28 |
| Country | United States |
End: Metuchen (-74.3632, 40.54316)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 21 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $1.84 | $3.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $2.07 | $4.14 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $2.23 | $4.46 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $2.69 | $5.38 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.