How far is Plainfield, NJ from Jersey City, NJ?

The driving distance from Plainfield, NJ to Jersey City, NJ is about 21.4 miles (34.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 18.5 miles (29.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 11m 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
21.41 mi
00h 35m
Flight
18.47 mi
29.72 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Plainfield.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
18.47 mi
Kilometers
29.72 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
21.41 mi
Kilometers
34.45 km
Drive Time
00h 35m

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 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Jersey City
Thu, Apr 23, 6:04 AM EDT
Return by in Plainfield
Thu, Apr 23, 6:40 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Plainfield
2026-04-23T05:29
Arrive Jersey City
Thu, Apr 23, 6:04 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:36 AM to 7:36 PM EDT

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

Leave by
7:18 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Plainfield
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
Union
NJ

A city in Union County, New Jersey.

From Plainfield
11.8 mi
00h 17m
To Jersey City
9.6 mi
00h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin

Forecast data is not available for this endpoint yet.

Destination
71°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 9 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Plainfield and Jersey City.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Plainfield and Jersey City.

  1. 1

    Start on Leland Avenue

    1 km · 2 min · Leland Avenue

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Mountain Avenue

    1187 ft · 35 sec · Mountain Avenue

  3. 3

    Merge slight left

    1 mi · 2 min

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right

    74 m · 7 sec

  5. 5

    Continue on Park Avenue

    46 m · 5 sec · Park Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn right

    119 m · 18 sec

  7. 7

    Turn slight right onto New Providence Road

    1 mi · 2 min · New Providence Road

  8. 8

    Continue on Diamond Hill Road

    2202 ft · 51 sec · Diamond Hill Road

  9. 9

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 78 East: Newark

    1418 ft · 36 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway

    4.1 mi · 5 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway

    7.8 mi · 9 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight left toward I 78 East: Holland Tunnel, New York City

    2150 ft · 34 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway

    1.1 km · 56 sec · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward NJTP, I 95, US 1-9, NJ 21, US 22: Port Newark

    1328 ft · 21 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight right onto Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway

    1.2 km · 1 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward US 1-9 North: Frontage Road

    1330 ft · 45 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on US 1-9 North

    1182 ft · 29 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left

    2.1 mi · 3 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward US 1-9 Truck North, I 95, NJTP: Jersey City, New Jersey Turnpike

    1452 ft · 25 sec

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on US 1, US 9 North

    2 mi · 3 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight left toward US 1 Truck North, US 9 Truck North

    1.1 km · 2 min

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Duncan Avenue

    2210 ft · 52 sec · Duncan Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn left onto Olean Avenue

    96 m · 14 sec · Olean Avenue

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Olean Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Plainfield and Jersey City.

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
24 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
12
5 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
112.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
13.3 mi · 62%
US 1-9 North
2.55 mi · 12%
US 1
1.95 mi · 9%
Mountain Avenue
1.32 mi · 6%
New Providence Road
1.03 mi · 5%
I 78 East
0.68 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway

Keep slight right to continue on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway

7.77 mi · 00h 09m

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 35m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+2.9 mi
18.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Union
00h 17m from Plainfield
Leave By
7:18 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny near Jersey City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Plainfield to Jersey City?

The road trip is about 21.4 miles (34.5 km) and usually takes 00h 35m 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?

Union is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.8 miles from Plainfield and 9.6 miles from Jersey City.

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

The direct path is about 18.5 miles (29.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.9 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 7:18 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.11 one way or $6.21 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before arriving, the latest forecast around Jersey City is Mostly Sunny.

Stop Ideas Near Union

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 Union and the surrounding midpoint area.
City Hall Parking Lot
Scenic stop 11.7 mi away

City Hall Parking Lot

Jersey City , NJ
280 Grove St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews Parking lot
#Artlook New York City Hall Wedding Photographer
Practical stop 13.8 mi away

#Artlook New York City Hall Wedding Photographer

New York , NY
141 Worth St, New York, NY 10013
Rating 5.0/5 13 reviews Photographer,Photography service,Photography studio,Wedding photographer
City Hall Personnel Office
Meeting point 5 mi away

City Hall Personnel Office

Newark , NJ
920 Broad St, Newark, NJ 07102
Rating 5.0/5 5 reviews City government office
Diamond City Hall Photography
Nearby stop 13.8 mi away

Diamond City Hall Photography

New York , NY
141 Worth St, New York, NY 10013
Rating 5.0/5 53 reviews Wedding photographer

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Newark Liberty International Airport

6 mi away
Newark Liberty International Airport
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

9 mi away
1 Raymond Plaza West
RAIL

Metropark station

15 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 Plainfield and Jersey City. Straight-line distance: 18.47 mi (29.72 km).

Plainfield

#1 Plainfield

A city in Union County, New Jersey.

Population50,011
Coordinates40.6337100, -74.4073700
Altitude34
CountryUnited States
Jersey City

#2 Jersey City

The second most populous city in New Jersey and the center of the Jersey City metropolitan area.

Population262,075
Coordinates40.7281600, -74.0776400
Altitude9
CountryUnited States
Start: Leland Avenue (-74.40741, 40.633666)
End: Olean Avenue (-74.077772, 40.728219)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 34 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 32m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 18m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.76 gal
2.86 L · about $3.11
Round trip
$6.21
1.52 gal · 5.72 L
Estimated CO2
6.8 kg one way
Round trip: 13.5 kg / 30 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $3.11 $6.21
Mid-grade $4.60 $3.50 $6.99
Premium $4.95 $3.77 $7.53
Diesel $5.98 $4.54 $9.09

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

There is no time difference between Plainfield and Jersey City. The current time is 05:29:08.

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.