How far is Elizabeth, NJ from South River, NJ?
The driving distance from Elizabeth, NJ to South River, NJ is about 22.4 miles (36.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 17.6 miles (28.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 04m 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 32m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census-designated place in New Jersey, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elizabeth and South River.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabeth and South River.
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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 left to continue on NJ 18 South: East Brunswick, Shore Points
1962 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left onto State Route 18
2.4 mi · 4 min · State Route 18
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14
Take the exit slight right
152 m · 14 sec
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15
Take the ramp right
1113 ft · 31 sec
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16
Keep slight left
1087 ft · 35 sec
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17
Turn left onto Main Street
2013 ft · 34 sec · Main Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elizabeth and South River.
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
14.9 mi · 00h 17m
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 Sunny leaving Elizabeth and Mostly Sunny near South River.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elizabeth to South River?
The road trip is about 22.4 miles (36.1 km) and usually takes 00h 32m 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?
Woodbridge is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.2 miles from Elizabeth and 11.2 miles from South River.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 17.6 miles (28.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.8 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 7:26 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.23 one way or $6.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Elizabeth and Mostly Sunny near South River.
Stop Ideas Near Woodbridge
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 Woodbridge.
Metropark station
New Brunswick station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Pennsylvania Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elizabeth and South River. Straight-line distance: 17.62 mi (28.36 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 South River
Borough in Middlesex County, New Jersey
| Population | 15,624 |
| Coordinates | 40.4464900, -74.3859800 |
| Altitude | 25 |
| Country | United States |
End: South River (-74.38598, 40.44649)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 36 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $3.23 | $6.46 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $3.63 | $7.27 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $3.91 | $7.83 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $4.72 | $9.45 |
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.