How far is Madison, NJ from Elizabeth, NJ?

The driving distance from Madison, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ is about 18.2 miles (29.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 29m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 12.7 miles (20.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 58m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
18.2 mi
00h 29m
Flight
12.68 mi
20.4 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Madison.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
12.68 mi
Kilometers
20.4 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
18.2 mi
Kilometers
29.29 km
Drive Time
00h 29m

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 29m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Elizabeth
Fri, May 1, 1:48 PM EDT
Return by in Madison
Fri, May 1, 2:17 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Madison
2026-05-01T13:19
Arrive Elizabeth
Fri, May 1, 1:48 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 29m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:29 AM to 7:29 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:32 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Madison
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Maplewood
NJ

Township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States

From Madison
8 mi
00h 14m
To Elizabeth
10.2 mi
00h 14m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
63°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 10 mph W
Destination
62°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 to 15 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    3 mi · 7 min · Main Street

  2. 2

    Keep slight left

    1281 ft · 24 sec

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight left toward NJ 24 East

    790 ft · 19 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    2.4 mi · 3 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on I 78 East: Holland Tunnel, New York City, Newark

    1877 ft · 29 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I 78 East Local: Newark

    1220 ft · 17 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight right onto Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway

    4.6 mi · 5 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward Hillside, Irvington

    748 ft · 18 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Hillside

    573 ft · 30 sec

  10. 10

    Continue on Winans Avenue

    1309 ft · 40 sec · Winans Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Liberty Avenue

    2040 ft · 1 min · Liberty Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Hillside Avenue

    1782 ft · 38 sec · Hillside Avenue

  13. 13

    Continue on Hillside Avenue

    2125 ft · 45 sec · Hillside Avenue

  14. 14

    At the end of the road, turn right onto North Broad Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · North Broad Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto North Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · North Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Spring Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Spring Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto East Jersey Street

    1164 ft · 36 sec · East Jersey Street

  18. 18

    Turn right

    11 m · 3 sec

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
19 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
104.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
4.63 mi · 25%
Main Street
3.26 mi · 18%
NJ 24 East
2.56 mi · 14%
Spring Street
1.14 mi · 6%
North Broad Street
1.08 mi · 6%
North Avenue
0.96 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway

Merge slight right onto Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway

4.63 mi · 00h 05m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 29m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.5 mi
12.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Maplewood
00h 14m from Madison
Leave By
7:32 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Madison and Sunny near Elizabeth.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 18.2 miles (29.3 km) and usually takes 00h 29m 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?

Maplewood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8 miles from Madison and 10.2 miles from Elizabeth.

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

The direct path is about 12.7 miles (20.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.5 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 7:32 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.62 one way or $5.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Madison and Sunny near Elizabeth.

Stop Ideas Near Maplewood

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Maplewood and the surrounding midpoint area.
City Hall Parking Lot
Scenic stop 12.8 mi away

City Hall Parking Lot

Jersey City , NJ
280 Grove St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews Parking lot
The Yard: City Hall Park NYC
Practical stop 14.6 mi away

The Yard: City Hall Park NYC

New York , NY
116 Nassau St, New York, NY 10038
Rating 4.8/5 45 reviews Office space rental agency,Business to business service,Conference center,Coworking space,Event venue,Executive suite rental agency,Virtual office rental
City Hall Personnel Office
Meeting point 6 mi away

City Hall Personnel Office

Newark , NJ
920 Broad St, Newark, NJ 07102
Rating 5.0/5 5 reviews City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 12.7 mi away

City Hall Wedding Photographer by Dolce Vita

Jersey City , NJ
280 Grove St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Wedding photographer

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Maplewood.

RAIL

Newark Liberty International Airport

8 mi away
Newark Liberty International Airport
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

9 mi away
1 Raymond Plaza West
RAIL

Metropark station

19 mi away
100 Middlesex-Essex Turnpike
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

24 mi away
8th Ave 31st Street / 8th Ave 33rd Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Madison and Elizabeth. Straight-line distance: 12.68 mi (20.4 km).

Madison

#1 Madison

Borough in Morris County, New Jersey, United States

Population17,612
Coordinates40.7598200, -74.4171000
Altitude79
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: Main street (-74.416846, 40.759929)
End: (-74.210651, 40.663974)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 29 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 21m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 15m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.64 gal
2.43 L · about $2.62
Round trip
$5.23
1.28 gal · 4.86 L
Estimated CO2
5.7 kg one way
Round trip: 11.4 kg / 25 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $2.62 $5.23
Mid-grade $4.60 $2.94 $5.89
Premium $4.95 $3.17 $6.34
Diesel $5.98 $3.83 $7.65

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 01, 2026

There is no time difference between Madison and Elizabeth. The current time is 13:19:13.

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.