How far is Hillsborough, NJ from Elizabeth, NJ?

The driving distance from Hillsborough, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ is about 37.5 miles (60.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 25.4 miles (40.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 37m 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
37.49 mi
00h 48m
Flight
25.35 mi
40.8 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Hillsborough.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
25.35 mi
Kilometers
40.8 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
37.49 mi
Kilometers
60.33 km
Drive Time
00h 48m

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 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Elizabeth
Tue, May 26, 6:51 AM EDT
Return by in Hillsborough
Tue, May 26, 7:39 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Hillsborough
2026-05-26T06:02
Arrive Elizabeth
Tue, May 26, 6:51 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:49 AM to 10:49 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:52 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Hillsborough
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
South Plainfield
NJ

Borough in Middlesex County, New Jersey

From Hillsborough
16.3 mi
00h 24m
To Elizabeth
21.2 mi
00h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Tuesday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 26 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph NW
Destination
79°F
Tuesday

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Tue, May 26 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Willow Road

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Willow Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Amwell Road

    1 mi · 2 min · Amwell Road

  3. 3

    Continue on Millstone Bypass

    3022 ft · 1 min · Millstone Bypass

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Somerset Courthouse Road

    2379 ft · 50 sec · Somerset Courthouse Road

  5. 5

    Continue on Millstone River Road

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Millstone River Road

  6. 6

    Continue on South Main Street

    1063 ft · 28 sec · South Main Street

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Wilhousky Street

    664 ft · 16 sec · Wilhousky Street

  8. 8

    Continue on Manville Causeway

    1893 ft · 46 sec · Manville Causeway

  9. 9

    Continue on Weston Canal Road

    2.6 mi · 4 min · Weston Canal Road

  10. 10

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 287 South

    2538 ft · 58 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    10.9 mi · 13 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit right toward US 1 North: Newark

    1644 ft · 40 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    3.9 mi · 6 min

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    6.3 mi · 11 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on East Edgar Road

    1.1 km · 1 min · East Edgar Road

  16. 16

    Continue on Carlton Street

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Carlton Street

  17. 17

    Turn right

    18 m · 6 sec

  18. 18

    Turn right

    117 m · 28 sec

  19. 19

    Turn right

    85 m · 22 sec

  20. 20

    Turn right onto East Jersey Street

    1535 ft · 50 sec · East Jersey Street

  21. 21

    Turn right

    11 m · 3 sec

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
22 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
58.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 287 South
11.4 mi · 30%
US 1 North
10.5 mi · 28%
Weston Canal Road
2.63 mi · 7%
Carlton Street
1.53 mi · 4%
Millstone River Road
1.44 mi · 4%
Willow Road
1.36 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

I 287 South

Merge slight left

10.9 mi · 00h 13m

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
00h 48m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.1 mi
25.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
South Plainfield
00h 24m from Hillsborough
Leave By
4:52 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Hillsborough and Mostly Cloudy near Elizabeth.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 37.5 miles (60.3 km) and usually takes 00h 48m 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?

South Plainfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.3 miles from Hillsborough and 21.2 miles from Elizabeth.

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

The direct path is about 25.4 miles (40.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.1 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 4:52 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 Slight Chance Rain Showers around Hillsborough and Mostly Cloudy near Elizabeth.

Stop Ideas Near South Plainfield

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around South Plainfield, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to South Plainfield.

RAIL

Metropark station

7 mi away
100 Middlesex-Essex Turnpike
RAIL

New Brunswick station

10 mi away
French and Albany Streets
RAIL

Newark Liberty International Airport

23 mi away
Newark Liberty International Airport
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

27 mi away
1 Raymond Plaza West

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Hillsborough and Elizabeth. Straight-line distance: 25.35 mi (40.8 km).

Hillsborough

#1 Hillsborough

Township in Somerset county, New Jersey

Population40,105
Coordinates40.4776000, -74.6268200
Altitude26
CountryUnited States
Elizabeth

#2 Elizabeth

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

Population128,382
Coordinates40.6639900, -74.2107000
Altitude6
CountryUnited States
Start: Willow Road (-74.62687, 40.477611)
End: (-74.210651, 40.663974)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 60 km by road

SpeedTime
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 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.32 gal
5.01 L · about $5.39
Round trip
$10.79
2.64 gal · 10.02 L
Estimated CO2
11.7 kg one way
Round trip: 23.5 kg / 52 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound 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 · May 26, 2026

There is no time difference between Hillsborough and Elizabeth. The current time is 06:02:36.

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.