How far is Plainfield, NJ from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance from Plainfield, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ is about 13.7 miles (22 km), with a travel time of about 00h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 10.5 miles (16.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 00m 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 30m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Town in New Jersey
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Plainfield and Elizabeth.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plainfield and Elizabeth.
-
1
Start on Leland Avenue
1 km · 2 min · Leland Avenue
-
2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Mountain Avenue
1187 ft · 35 sec · Mountain Avenue
-
3
Merge slight left
2.4 mi · 4 min
-
4
Continue straight
5.4 mi · 9 min
-
5
Continue straight
1.5 mi · 2 min
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward NJ 82: Morris Avenue, Kean University, Elizabeth
878 ft · 24 sec
-
7
Turn slight right onto Morris Avenue
2.9 mi · 7 min · Morris Avenue
-
8
Turn right onto Westfield Avenue
16 m · 7 sec · Westfield Avenue
-
9
Turn left onto Union Street
1289 ft · 1 min · Union Street
-
10
At the end of the road, turn left onto West Jersey Street
1892 ft · 1 min · West Jersey Street
-
11
Turn left
11 m · 3 sec
-
12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Plainfield and Elizabeth.
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.
Mountain Avenue
Continue straight
5.43 mi · 00h 09m
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.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Plainfield 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 Plainfield to Elizabeth?
The road trip is about 13.7 miles (22 km) and usually takes 00h 30m 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?
Kenilworth is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.9 miles from Plainfield and 6.8 miles from Elizabeth.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 10.5 miles (16.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.2 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:30 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.96 one way or $3.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Plainfield and Chance Rain Showers near Elizabeth.
Stop Ideas Near Kenilworth
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall Parking Lot
City of Elizabeth
Bloomfield Municipal Building
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Kenilworth.
Newark Liberty International Airport
Pennsylvania Station
Metropark station
New Brunswick station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Plainfield and Elizabeth. Straight-line distance: 10.52 mi (16.93 km).
#1 Plainfield
A city in Union County, New Jersey.
| Population | 50,011 |
| Coordinates | 40.6337100, -74.4073700 |
| Altitude | 34 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elizabeth
The second most populous city in Union County, New Jersey.
| Population | 128,382 |
| Coordinates | 40.6639900, -74.2107000 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-74.210651, 40.663974)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 22 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $1.96 | $3.92 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $2.21 | $4.42 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $2.38 | $4.76 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $2.87 | $5.74 |
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.