How far is Surf City, NJ from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance from Surf City, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ is about 87.6 miles (141 km), with a travel time of about 01h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 69.3 miles (111.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 03m 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 31m.
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.
Township in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Surf City and Elizabeth.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Surf City and Elizabeth.
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1
Start on North 12th Street
152 m · 26 sec · North 12th Street
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2
Turn left onto North Central Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · North Central Avenue
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3
Turn right onto West 8th Street
1752 ft · 39 sec · West 8th Street
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4
Continue on West 8th Street
47 m · 3 sec · West 8th Street
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5
Continue on Manahawkin Bay Bridge
6.4 mi · 9 min · Manahawkin Bay Bridge
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6
Take the exit slight right toward GSP Toll North
1153 ft · 37 sec
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7
Continue on GSP Northbound entrance ramp
1040 ft · 25 sec · GSP Northbound entrance ramp
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8
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
39.2 mi · 46 min · Garden State Parkway
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9
Keep slight left
2399 ft · 31 sec
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10
Continue on Garden State Parkway
22.4 mi · 27 min · Garden State Parkway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward GSP North, US 9 North, NJ 440: Woodbridge, Staten Island
1.2 mi · 2 min · Garden State Parkway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on US 9 North, I 287, NJ 440: Woodbridge, Staten Island
1284 ft · 25 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on US 9 North: Woodbridge
1837 ft · 45 sec
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14
Merge slight left
9.2 mi · 15 min
-
15
Keep slight left to continue on East Edgar Road
1.1 km · 1 min · East Edgar Road
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16
Continue on Carlton Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · Carlton Street
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17
Turn right
18 m · 6 sec
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18
Turn right
117 m · 28 sec
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19
Turn right
85 m · 22 sec
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20
Turn right onto East Jersey Street
1535 ft · 50 sec · East Jersey Street
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21
Turn right
11 m · 3 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Surf City and Elizabeth.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Garden State Parkway
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
39.2 mi · 00h 46m
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Surf City and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Elizabeth.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Surf City to Elizabeth?
The road trip is about 87.6 miles (141 km) and usually takes 01h 31m 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?
Hamilton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 42 miles from Surf City and 45.6 miles from Elizabeth.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 69.3 miles (111.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.3 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 3:26 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.63 one way or $25.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Surf City and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Elizabeth.
Stop Ideas Near Hamilton
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 Hamilton.
New Brunswick station
Metropark station
Princeton Junction station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Surf City and Elizabeth. Straight-line distance: 69.27 mi (111.48 km).
#1 Surf City
Borough in Ocean County, New Jersey
| Population | 1,205 |
| Coordinates | 39.6620600, -74.1651400 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elizabeth
The second most populous city in Union County, New Jersey.
| Population | 128,382 |
| Coordinates | 40.6639900, -74.2107000 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-74.210651, 40.663974)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 141 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $12.63 | $25.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $14.21 | $28.42 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $15.31 | $30.62 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $18.48 | $36.96 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.