How far is Metuchen, NJ from Elizabeth, NJ?

The driving distance from Metuchen, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ is about 20.9 miles (33.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 11.6 miles (18.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 54m 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
20.9 mi
00h 27m
Flight
11.56 mi
18.61 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Metuchen.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
11.56 mi
Kilometers
18.61 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
20.9 mi
Kilometers
33.63 km
Drive Time
00h 27m

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 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Elizabeth
Fri, Apr 17, 5:46 AM EDT
Return by in Metuchen
Fri, Apr 17, 6:14 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Metuchen
2026-04-17T05:19
Arrive Elizabeth
Fri, Apr 17, 5:46 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:27 AM to 7:27 PM EDT

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

Leave by
7:36 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Metuchen
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

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
Avenel
NJ

Town in New Jersey, United States

From Metuchen
6.7 mi
00h 13m
To Elizabeth
14.2 mi
00h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Friday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph W
Destination
81°F
Friday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 9 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Middlesex Avenue

    64 m · 13 sec · Middlesex Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Main Street

    2261 ft · 52 sec · Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Amboy Avenue

    1.5 km · 3 min · Amboy Avenue

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left

    655 ft · 11 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    2.9 mi · 5 min

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    6.3 mi · 11 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on East Edgar Road

    1.1 km · 1 min · East Edgar Road

  8. 8

    Continue on Carlton Street

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Carlton Street

  9. 9

    Turn right

    18 m · 6 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right

    117 m · 28 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right

    85 m · 22 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto East Jersey Street

    1535 ft · 50 sec · East Jersey Street

  13. 13

    Turn right

    11 m · 3 sec

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Metuchen 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
14 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
67 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Amboy Avenue
10.3 mi · 49%
Carlton Street
1.53 mi · 7%
East Edgar Road
0.7 mi · 3%
Main Street
0.43 mi · 2%
East Jersey Street
0.29 mi · 1%
Middlesex Avenue
0.04 mi
Longest Stretch

Amboy Avenue

Continue straight

6.28 mi · 00h 11m

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 27m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.3 mi
11.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Avenel
00h 13m from Metuchen
Leave By
7:36 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Metuchen and Chance Rain Showers near Elizabeth.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 20.9 miles (33.6 km) and usually takes 00h 27m 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 6.7 miles from Metuchen and 14.2 miles from Elizabeth.

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 9.3 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 7:36 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.02 one way or $6.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Metuchen and Chance Rain Showers near Elizabeth.

Stop Ideas Near Avenel

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 Avenel and the surrounding midpoint area.
West Orange Town Hall
Scenic stop 13.1 mi away

West Orange Town Hall

West Orange , NJ
66 Main St, West Orange, NJ 07052
Rating 4.1/5 16 reviews Park
City of Elizabeth
Meeting point 6 mi away

City of Elizabeth

Elizabeth , NJ
50 Winfield Scott Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Rating 4.5/5 65 reviews City Hall
Bloomfield Municipal Building
Nearby stop 14.5 mi away

Bloomfield Municipal Building

Bloomfield , NJ
1 Municipal Plaza, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Rating 4.4/5 17 reviews Municipal hall

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Metropark station

4 mi away
100 Middlesex-Essex Turnpike
RAIL

Newark Liberty International Airport

16 mi away
Newark Liberty International Airport
RAIL

New Brunswick station

17 mi away
French and Albany Streets
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

20 mi away
1 Raymond Plaza West

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Metuchen and Elizabeth. Straight-line distance: 11.56 mi (18.61 km).

Metuchen

#1 Metuchen

Borough in New Jersey, United States

Population14,767
Coordinates40.5431600, -74.3632000
Altitude28
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: Middlesex Avenue (-74.363257, 40.543202)
End: (-74.210651, 40.663974)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 34 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 41m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 31m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 20m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 17m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 15m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.74 gal
2.79 L · about $3.02
Round trip
$6.05
1.48 gal · 5.58 L
Estimated CO2
6.6 kg one way
Round trip: 13.2 kg / 29 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $3.02 $6.05
Mid-grade $4.60 $3.40 $6.81
Premium $4.95 $3.67 $7.33
Diesel $5.98 $4.43 $8.85

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

There is no time difference between Metuchen and Elizabeth. The current time is 05:19:15.

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.