How far is Watchung, NJ from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance from Watchung, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ is about 21.3 miles (34.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 12.7 miles (20.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 26m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
City in Union County, New Jersey, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Watchung and Elizabeth.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Watchung and Elizabeth.
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1
Start on the route
95 m · 28 sec
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2
Turn left
19 m · 9 sec
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3
Turn left onto Valley Road
33 m · 6 sec · Valley Road
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4
Turn sharp right onto Hillcrest Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Hillcrest Road
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 78 East: Newark
2132 ft · 52 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
7 mi · 8 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
5.8 mi · 7 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Hillside, Irvington
748 ft · 18 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Hillside
573 ft · 30 sec
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10
Continue on Winans Avenue
1309 ft · 40 sec · Winans Avenue
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11
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
2040 ft · 1 min · Liberty Avenue
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12
Turn left onto Hillside Avenue
1782 ft · 38 sec · Hillside Avenue
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13
Continue on Hillside Avenue
2125 ft · 45 sec · Hillside Avenue
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14
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Broad Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · North Broad Street
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15
Turn left onto North Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · North Avenue
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16
Turn right onto Spring Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Spring Street
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17
Turn right onto East Jersey Street
1164 ft · 36 sec · East Jersey Street
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18
Turn right
11 m · 3 sec
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Watchung and Elizabeth.
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.
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Merge slight left onto Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
7.01 mi · 00h 08m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Watchung 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 Watchung to Elizabeth?
The road trip is about 21.3 miles (34.3 km) and usually takes 00h 26m 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?
Summit is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.6 miles from Watchung and 11.7 miles from Elizabeth.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 12.7 miles (20.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.6 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 7:36 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 Watchung and Chance Rain Showers near Elizabeth.
Stop Ideas Near Summit
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall Parking Lot
City of Elizabeth
Clifton Recycle in City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Summit.
Newark Liberty International Airport
Pennsylvania Station
Metropark station
New Brunswick station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Watchung and Elizabeth. Straight-line distance: 12.73 mi (20.48 km).
#1 Watchung
Borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States
| Population | 6,007 |
| Coordinates | 40.6378800, -74.4509900 |
| Altitude | 54 |
| 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: 34 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 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.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round 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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.