How far is Princeton Junction, NJ from Elizabeth, NJ?

The driving distance from Princeton Junction, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ is about 39.9 miles (64.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 53m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 32.2 miles (51.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 47m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
39.87 mi
00h 53m
Flight
32.19 mi
51.8 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Princeton Junction.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
32.19 mi
Kilometers
51.8 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
39.87 mi
Kilometers
64.16 km
Drive Time
00h 53m

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 53m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Elizabeth
Wed, Apr 22, 11:55 PM EDT
Return by in Princeton Junction
Thu, Apr 23, 12:48 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Princeton Junction
2026-04-22T23:01
Arrive Elizabeth
Wed, Apr 22, 11:55 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 53m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:54 AM to 10:54 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:42 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Princeton Junction
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Piscataway
NJ

Township in New Jersey, United States

From Princeton Junction
17.4 mi
00h 26m
To Elizabeth
22.4 mi
00h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
62°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SW
Destination
64°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Princeton Junction and Elizabeth.

  1. 1

    Start on Cranbury Road

    18 m · 6 sec · Cranbury Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Princeton-Hightstown Road

    1521 ft · 33 sec · Princeton-Hightstown Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Washington Road

    75 m · 5 sec · Washington Road

  4. 4

    Continue on Washington Road

    1 mi · 2 min · Washington Road

  5. 5

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Washington Road

    23 m · 4 sec · Brunswick Pike

  6. 6

    Exit the rotary onto Brunswick Pike

    12.9 mi · 18 min · Brunswick Pike

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    603 ft · 9 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick

    154 m · 8 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    112 m · 6 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    2.7 mi · 4 min

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    1.6 km · 1 min

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    969 ft · 17 sec

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    1162 ft · 20 sec

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    7.2 mi · 11 min

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    6.3 mi · 11 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on East Edgar Road

    1.1 km · 1 min · East Edgar Road

  17. 17

    Continue on Carlton Street

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Carlton Street

  18. 18

    Turn right

    18 m · 6 sec

  19. 19

    Turn right

    117 m · 28 sec

  20. 20

    Turn right

    85 m · 22 sec

  21. 21

    Turn right onto East Jersey Street

    1535 ft · 50 sec · East Jersey Street

  22. 22

    Turn right

    11 m · 3 sec

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Princeton Junction 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
23 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
57.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Newark|Newark
17.7 mi · 44%
Brunswick Pike
13.1 mi · 33%
Carlton Street
1.53 mi · 4%
Washington Road
1.09 mi · 3%
East Edgar Road
0.7 mi · 2%
East Jersey Street
0.29 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Brunswick Pike

Exit the rotary onto Brunswick Pike

12.9 mi · 00h 18m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 53m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.7 mi
32.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Piscataway
00h 26m from Princeton Junction
Leave By
4:42 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Princeton Junction 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 Princeton Junction to Elizabeth?

The road trip is about 39.9 miles (64.2 km) and usually takes 00h 53m 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?

Piscataway is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.4 miles from Princeton Junction and 22.4 miles from Elizabeth.

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

The direct path is about 32.2 miles (51.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.7 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 4:42 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.76 one way or $11.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Piscataway

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Piscataway, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

New Brunswick station

4 mi away
French and Albany Streets
RAIL

Metropark station

10 mi away
100 Middlesex-Essex Turnpike
RAIL

Princeton Junction station

28 mi away
2 Wallace Road
RAIL

Newark Liberty International Airport

29 mi away
Newark Liberty International Airport

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Princeton Junction and Elizabeth. Straight-line distance: 32.19 mi (51.8 km).

Princeton Junction

#1 Princeton Junction

Town

Population2,465
Coordinates40.3173300, -74.6198800
Altitude23
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: Cranbury Road (-74.619882, 40.317407)
End: (-74.210651, 40.663974)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 64 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 59m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 29m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.41 gal
5.33 L · about $5.76
Round trip
$11.52
2.82 gal · 10.66 L
Estimated CO2
12.5 kg one way
Round trip: 25.1 kg / 55 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $5.76 $11.52
Mid-grade $4.60 $6.48 $12.97
Premium $4.95 $6.99 $13.97
Diesel $5.98 $8.43 $16.86

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 Princeton Junction and Elizabeth. The current time is 23:01:18.

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.