How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Princeton, NJ?
The driving distance from Elizabeth, NJ to Princeton, NJ is about 37.3 miles (60.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 32.1 miles (51.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 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 00h 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 in New Jersey, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elizabeth and Princeton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabeth and Princeton.
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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
14.9 mi · 17 min · New Jersey Turnpike
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11
Take the exit slight right toward NJ 18 East, US 1 East: New Brunswick
1.1 km · 1 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on NJ 18 North: New Brunswick, Rutgers University
1148 ft · 28 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on NJ 18 North: New Brunswick, Rutgers University
99 m · 8 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto State Route 18
2284 ft · 51 sec · State Route 18
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 1 South: Princeton, Trenton
1887 ft · 2 min
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16
Merge slight left
2.4 mi · 3 min
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17
Continue straight
634 ft · 10 sec
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18
Keep slight left
84 m · 4 sec
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19
Keep slight left
118 m · 6 sec
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20
Keep slight left
3.6 mi · 5 min
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21
Continue straight
9.5 mi · 14 min
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Washington Road
17 m · 1 sec · Washington Road
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23
Exit the rotary onto Washington Road
1.6 mi · 4 min · Washington Road
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24
Turn left onto Nassau Street
714 ft · 24 sec · Nassau Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Nassau Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elizabeth and Princeton.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
New Jersey Turnpike
Merge slight left onto New Jersey Turnpike
14.9 mi · 00h 17m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Elizabeth and Sunny near Princeton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elizabeth to Princeton?
The road trip is about 37.3 miles (60.1 km) and usually takes 00h 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?
Piscataway is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.6 miles from Elizabeth and 18.7 miles from Princeton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 32.1 miles (51.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.2 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 4:42 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.39 one way or $10.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Elizabeth and Sunny near Princeton.
Stop Ideas Near Piscataway
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 Piscataway.
New Brunswick station
Metropark station
Princeton Junction station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elizabeth and Princeton. Straight-line distance: 32.08 mi (51.63 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 Princeton
Private Ivy League research university in Princeton, New Jersey, United States
| Population | 30,879 |
| Coordinates | 40.3487200, -74.6590500 |
| Altitude | 62 |
| Country | United States |
End: Princeton (-74.65905, 40.34872)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 60 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $5.39 | $10.79 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $6.07 | $12.14 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $6.54 | $13.08 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $7.89 | $15.79 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.