How far is Plainsboro, NJ from Jersey City, NJ?
The driving distance from Plainsboro, NJ to Jersey City, NJ is about 45 miles (72.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 38.7 miles (62.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 56m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Borough in New Jersey, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Plainsboro and Jersey City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plainsboro and Jersey City.
-
1
Start on Prospect Avenue
12 m · 3 sec · Prospect Avenue
-
2
Turn right onto Plainsboro Road
1669 ft · 1 min · Plainsboro Road
-
3
Turn left onto Schalks Crossing Road
1367 ft · 43 sec · Schalks Crossing Road
-
4
Turn right onto Scudders Mill Road
1770 ft · 32 sec · Scudders Mill Road
-
5
Turn slight left onto Dey Road
4.3 mi · 7 min · Dey Road
-
6
Turn left
1.3 mi · 2 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward NJ 32 East: Jamesburg
785 ft · 30 sec
-
8
Continue on Forsgate Drive
1.4 km · 1 min · Forsgate Drive
-
9
Take the ramp slight right toward NJTP Toll, I 95 Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
3054 ft · 1 min
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on I 95, NJTP North: New York City
2247 ft · 55 sec
-
11
Keep slight right
2858 ft · 1 min
-
12
Merge slight left onto New Jersey Turnpike
31.6 mi · 38 min · New Jersey Turnpike
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
1.1 mi · 1 min · New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward US 1 North Truck, US 9 North Truck: Newark, Jersey City
2138 ft · 59 sec
-
15
Keep slight right to continue on US 1 Truck North, US 9 Truck North: Jersey City, Doremus Avenue
98 m · 8 sec
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on US 1 North Truck, US 9 North Truck: Jersey City
1290 ft · 31 sec
-
17
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Lincoln Highway
-
18
Take the exit slight left toward US 1 Truck North, US 9 Truck North
1.1 km · 2 min
-
19
Turn right onto Duncan Avenue
2210 ft · 52 sec · Duncan Avenue
-
20
Turn left onto Olean Avenue
96 m · 14 sec · Olean Avenue
-
21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Olean Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Plainsboro and Jersey City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
New Jersey Turnpike
Merge slight left onto New Jersey Turnpike
31.6 mi · 00h 38m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Plainsboro and 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 Plainsboro to Jersey City?
The road trip is about 45 miles (72.4 km) and usually takes 00h 56m 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?
Metuchen is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.5 miles from Plainsboro and 22.4 miles from Jersey City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 38.7 miles (62.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:36 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.50 one way or $12.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Plainsboro and Mostly Sunny near Jersey City.
Stop Ideas Near Metuchen
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Metuchen.
Metropark station
New Brunswick station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Pennsylvania Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Plainsboro and Jersey City. Straight-line distance: 38.7 mi (62.28 km).
#1 Plainsboro
Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey
| Population | 22,709 |
| Coordinates | 40.3334400, -74.6004300 |
| Altitude | 21 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Jersey City
The second most populous city in New Jersey and the center of the Jersey City metropolitan area.
| Population | 262,075 |
| Coordinates | 40.7281600, -74.0776400 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| Country | United States |
End: Olean Avenue (-74.077772, 40.728219)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 72 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $6.50 | $12.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $7.31 | $14.62 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $7.88 | $15.75 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $9.51 | $19.02 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.