How far is River Vale, NJ from Elizabeth, NJ?

The driving distance from River Vale, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ is about 35 miles (56.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 25.2 miles (40.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 41m 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
35.03 mi
00h 50m
Flight
25.14 mi
40.46 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from River Vale.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
25.14 mi
Kilometers
40.46 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
35.03 mi
Kilometers
56.37 km
Drive Time
00h 50m

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 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Elizabeth
Wed, Apr 22, 10:14 PM EDT
Return by in River Vale
Wed, Apr 22, 11:04 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave River Vale
2026-04-22T21:23
Arrive Elizabeth
Wed, Apr 22, 10:14 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:51 AM to 10:51 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:48 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in River Vale
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
Passaic
NJ

The most populous city in Passaic County, New Jersey.

From River Vale
15.1 mi
00h 25m
To Elizabeth
19.9 mi
00h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
59°F
Wednesday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 mph SE
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 River Vale and Elizabeth.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between River Vale and Elizabeth.

  1. 1

    Start on Park Place

    52 m · 13 sec · Park Place

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Rockland Avenue

    93 m · 16 sec · Rockland Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Westwood Avenue

    2235 ft · 1 min · Westwood Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on Cedar Lane

    562 ft · 16 sec · Cedar Lane

  5. 5

    Continue on Harrington Avenue

    1933 ft · 54 sec · Harrington Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Park Place

    66 m · 11 sec · Park Place

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Westwood Avenue

    1694 ft · 43 sec · Westwood Avenue

  8. 8

    Turn left onto 3rd Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · 3rd Avenue

  9. 9

    Continue on 4th Avenue

    3008 ft · 1 min · 4th Avenue

  10. 10

    Continue on 4th Avenue

    904 ft · 19 sec · 4th Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on Forest Avenue

    1.6 km · 2 min · Forest Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Oradell Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · Oradell Avenue

  13. 13

    Take the ramp right toward GSP Toll South: Commuter Parking

    101 m · 14 sec

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    744 ft · 28 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on From Road, Parkway South

    770 ft · 17 sec

  16. 16

    Turn straight onto From Road

    559 ft · 12 sec · From Road

  17. 17

    Take the ramp straight toward GSP South

    1908 ft · 51 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway

    5.3 mi · 7 min · Garden State Parkway

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward US 46 West: Garfield

    1654 ft · 57 sec

  20. 20

    Merge slight left

    1.1 mi · 1 min

  21. 21

    Keep slight left

    14.3 mi · 20 min

  22. 22

    Merge slight left

    1072 ft · 17 sec

  23. 23

    Continue straight

    3.1 mi · 4 min

  24. 24

    Turn right onto East Jersey Street

    1164 ft · 36 sec · East Jersey Street

  25. 25

    Turn right

    11 m · 3 sec

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between River Vale and Elizabeth.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
26 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
74.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 46 West
19.1 mi · 55%
Garden State Parkway
5.28 mi · 15%
Forest Avenue
1 mi · 3%
Oradell Avenue
0.91 mi · 3%
Westwood Avenue
0.74 mi · 2%
4th Avenue
0.74 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

US 46 West

Keep slight left

14.3 mi · 00h 20m

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 50m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.8 mi
25.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Passaic
00h 25m from River Vale
Leave By
4:48 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving River Vale 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 River Vale to Elizabeth?

The road trip is about 35 miles (56.4 km) and usually takes 00h 50m 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?

Passaic is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.1 miles from River Vale and 19.9 miles from Elizabeth.

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

The direct path is about 25.2 miles (40.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.8 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 4:48 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.07 one way or $10.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around River Vale and Chance Rain Showers near Elizabeth.

Stop Ideas Near Passaic

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 Passaic and the surrounding midpoint area.
City Hall Parking Lot
Scenic stop 10.3 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 11.4 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 8.8 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 11.5 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 Passaic.

RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

14 mi away
1 Raymond Plaza West
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

17 mi away
8th Ave 31st Street / 8th Ave 33rd Street
RAIL

Newark Liberty International Airport

18 mi away
Newark Liberty International Airport
RAIL

Yonkers station

21 mi away
5 Buena Vista Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between River Vale and Elizabeth. Straight-line distance: 25.14 mi (40.46 km).

River Vale

#1 River Vale

Township of New Jersey

Population9,946
Coordinates40.9953800, -74.0120800
Altitude17
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: Park Place (-74.012053, 40.995238)
End: (-74.210651, 40.663974)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 56 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 42m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.24 gal
4.68 L · about $5.07
Round trip
$10.13
2.48 gal · 9.36 L
Estimated CO2
11 kg one way
Round trip: 22 kg / 49 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $5.07 $10.13
Mid-grade $4.60 $5.70 $11.41
Premium $4.95 $6.14 $12.29
Diesel $5.98 $7.42 $14.83

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 River Vale and Elizabeth. The current time is 21:23:43.

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.