How far is Princeton, NJ from Jersey City, NJ?
The driving distance from Princeton, NJ to Jersey City, NJ is about 46 miles (74.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 40.3 miles (64.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 01m 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 01h 00m.
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
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Princeton and Jersey City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Princeton and Jersey City.
-
1
Start on Nassau Street
714 ft · 27 sec · Nassau Street
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2
Turn right onto Washington Road
1.6 mi · 4 min · Washington Road
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward Washington Road
106 m · 11 sec · Brunswick Pike
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4
Exit the rotary onto Brunswick Pike
12.9 mi · 18 min · Brunswick Pike
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5
Keep slight left
603 ft · 9 sec
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6
Keep slight left to continue on Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick
154 m · 8 sec
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7
Keep slight left
112 m · 6 sec
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8
Keep slight left
2.5 mi · 3 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward NJ 18 South: East Brunswick
1290 ft · 37 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto State Route 18
2411 ft · 55 sec · State Route 18
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11
Take the exit slight right toward NJTP Toll, I 95 Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
2094 ft · 1 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
1498 ft · 36 sec
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13
Keep slight right
1933 ft · 47 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto New Jersey Turnpike
22.1 mi · 27 min · New Jersey Turnpike
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15
Keep slight right to continue on New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
1.1 mi · 1 min · New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 1 North Truck, US 9 North Truck: Newark, Jersey City
2138 ft · 59 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on US 1 Truck North, US 9 Truck North: Jersey City, Doremus Avenue
98 m · 8 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on US 1 North Truck, US 9 North Truck: Jersey City
1290 ft · 31 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Lincoln Highway
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20
Take the exit slight left toward US 1 Truck North, US 9 Truck North
1.1 km · 2 min
-
21
Turn right onto Duncan Avenue
2210 ft · 52 sec · Duncan Avenue
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22
Turn left onto Olean Avenue
96 m · 14 sec · Olean Avenue
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Olean Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Princeton 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
22.1 mi · 00h 27m
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 Princeton and Chance Rain Showers near Jersey City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Princeton to Jersey City?
The road trip is about 46 miles (74.1 km) and usually takes 01h 00m 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 22.9 miles from Princeton and 23.1 miles from Jersey City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 40.3 miles (64.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.7 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 4:28 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.62 one way or $13.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Princeton and Chance Rain Showers 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 Princeton and Jersey City. Straight-line distance: 40.24 mi (64.76 km).
#1 Princeton
Private Ivy League research university in Princeton, New Jersey, United States
| Population | 30,879 |
| Coordinates | 40.3487200, -74.6590500 |
| Altitude | 62 |
| 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: 74 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $6.62 | $13.24 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $7.45 | $14.90 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $8.03 | $16.05 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $9.69 | $19.38 |
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 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.