How far is South Plainfield, NJ from Newark, NJ?

The driving distance from South Plainfield, NJ to Newark, NJ is about 21.3 miles (34.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 16.5 miles (26.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 15m 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
21.29 mi
00h 37m
Flight
16.55 mi
26.64 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from South Plainfield.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
16.55 mi
Kilometers
26.64 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
21.29 mi
Kilometers
34.27 km
Drive Time
00h 37m

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 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Newark
Wed, Apr 22, 8:34 PM EDT
Return by in South Plainfield
Wed, Apr 22, 9:11 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave South Plainfield
2026-04-22T19:56
Arrive Newark
Wed, Apr 22, 8:34 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:38 AM to 7:38 PM EDT

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

Leave by
7:14 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in South 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
Winfield
NJ

Census-designated place in Union County, Pennsylvania

From South Plainfield
9.6 mi
00h 18m
To Newark
11.7 mi
00h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
61°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SE
Destination
63°F
Wednesday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny

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

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between South Plainfield and Newark.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between South Plainfield and Newark.

  1. 1

    Start on South Plainfield Avenue

    37 m · 13 sec · South Plainfield Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Front Street

    1210 ft · 34 sec · Front Street

  3. 3

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

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Maple Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on Maple Street

    1062 ft · 23 sec · Maple Street

  5. 5

    Continue on Old Raritan Road

    1356 ft · 27 sec · Old Raritan Road

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Inman Avenue

    2.3 mi · 5 min · Inman Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Feather Bed Lane

    2815 ft · 2 min · Feather Bed Lane

  8. 8

    Continue on Oak Ridge Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Oak Ridge Road

  9. 9

    Continue on Raritan Road

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Raritan Road

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Central Avenue

    2008 ft · 1 min · Central Avenue

  11. 11

    Take the ramp left toward GSP North

    1323 ft · 23 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway

    7.5 mi · 10 min · Garden State Parkway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward Irvington

    816 ft · 24 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Cleremont Avenue

    671 ft · 17 sec · Cleremont Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on Ball Street

    2273 ft · 49 sec · Ball Street

  16. 16

    Continue on Washington Avenue

    137 m · 13 sec · Washington Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Springfield Avenue

    2.7 mi · 5 min · Springfield Avenue

  18. 18

    Continue on Market Street

    1253 ft · 42 sec · Market Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Market Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between South Plainfield and Newark.

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
19 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
89.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Garden State Parkway
7.5 mi · 35%
Springfield Avenue
2.7 mi · 13%
Inman Avenue
2.33 mi · 11%
Raritan Road
1.58 mi · 7%
Maple Avenue
1.14 mi · 5%
Oak Ridge Road
1.1 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Garden State Parkway

Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway

7.5 mi · 00h 10m

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 37m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.8 mi
16.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Winfield
00h 18m from South Plainfield
Leave By
7:14 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving South Plainfield and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Newark.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from South Plainfield to Newark?

The road trip is about 21.3 miles (34.3 km) and usually takes 00h 37m 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?

Winfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.6 miles from South Plainfield and 11.7 miles from Newark.

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

The direct path is about 16.5 miles (26.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.8 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:14 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.06 one way or $6.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around South Plainfield and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Newark.

Stop Ideas Near Winfield

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 Winfield and the surrounding midpoint area.
City Hall Parking Lot
Scenic stop 13.7 mi away

City Hall Parking Lot

Jersey City , NJ
280 Grove St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews Parking lot
City of Elizabeth
Meeting point 4.1 mi away

City of Elizabeth

Elizabeth , NJ
50 Winfield Scott Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Rating 4.5/5 65 reviews City Hall
Bloomfield Municipal Building
Nearby stop 11 mi away

Bloomfield Municipal Building

Bloomfield , NJ
1 Municipal Plaza, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Rating 4.4/5 17 reviews Municipal hall

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Metropark station

9 mi away
100 Middlesex-Essex Turnpike
RAIL

Newark Liberty International Airport

11 mi away
Newark Liberty International Airport
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

14 mi away
1 Raymond Plaza West
RAIL

New Brunswick station

21 mi away
French and Albany Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between South Plainfield and Newark. Straight-line distance: 16.55 mi (26.64 km).

South Plainfield

#1 South Plainfield

Borough in Middlesex County, New Jersey

Population23,965
Coordinates40.5792700, -74.4115400
Altitude18
CountryUnited States
Newark

#2 Newark

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

Population282,520
Coordinates40.7356600, -74.1723700
Altitude9
CountryUnited States
Start: South Plainfield Avenue (-74.41153, 40.579211)
End: Market Street (-74.17237, 40.73566)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 34 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 31m
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 15m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.75 gal
2.84 L · about $3.06
Round trip
$6.13
1.5 gal · 5.68 L
Estimated CO2
6.7 kg one way
Round trip: 13.3 kg / 29 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $3.06 $6.13
Mid-grade $4.60 $3.45 $6.90
Premium $4.95 $3.72 $7.43
Diesel $5.98 $4.49 $8.97

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 22, 2026

There is no time difference between South Plainfield and Newark. The current time is 19:56:52.

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.