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Trip from Butler, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

45m

Distance

39.7 mi

64 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$7

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 11 min
4 AM
0h 42m ★
6 AM
0h 46m
8 AM
0h 53m
10 AM
0h 48m
12 PM
0h 48m
3 PM
0h 49m
5 PM
0h 53m
8 PM
0h 44m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Butler, NJ, NJ

Butler, NJ

Joel Zar

Downtown Elizabeth, NJ, NJ

Elizabeth, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Butler, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ covers 39.7 miles and takes about 45m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Paterson-Hamburg Turnpike, Newark-Pompton Turnpike, I 80 East for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $6.58 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.

Midpoint

19.8 miles from Butler, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 22m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 45m drive with frequent turns across 39.7 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Paterson-Hamburg Turnpike is one of the defining roads on this drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.

Route Complexity 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Butler, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ is easy. At 45m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Butler, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Paterson-Hamburg Turnpike
Newark-Pompton Turnpike
I 80 East
US 46 East
NJ 21 South
East Jersey Street

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: Paterson-Hamburg Turnpike — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Butler, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ.

1

Start on Main Street

1.1 mi · 1 min · Main Street
2

Continue on Paterson-Hamburg Turnpike

1.0 mi · 1 min · Paterson-Hamburg Turnpike
3

Turn right onto Newark-Pompton Turnpike

0.9 mi · 1 min · Newark-Pompton Turnpike
4

Continue straight

0.6 mi · 47 sec
5

Keep slight left

6.2 mi · 7 min
6

Take the exit slight left toward I 80 East, US 46 East: New York, Clifton

299 ft · 7 sec · I 80 East, US 46 East: New York, Clifton
7

Keep slight right to continue on US 46 East: Clifton

0.3 mi · 42 sec · US 46 East: Clifton
8

Merge slight right

2.1 mi · 2 min
9

Continue straight

1.6 mi · 1 min
10

Turn slight left

4.4 mi · 5 min
11

Take the exit slight right toward NJ 21 South: Newark

0.5 mi · 1 min · NJ 21 South: Newark
12

Merge slight left

9.0 mi · 14 min
13

Merge slight left

0.2 mi · 17 sec
14

Continue straight

3.1 mi · 4 min
15

Turn right onto East Jersey Street

0.2 mi · 36 sec · East Jersey Street
16

Turn right

36 ft · 3 sec
17

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 19.8 miles from Butler, NJ, or about 22m into the drive.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 39.7 miles or 45m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 19.8 miles or 22m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 38m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elizabeth, NJ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Have your navigation ready before leaving Butler, NJ.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Butler, NJ

This is one driving day of about 39.7 miles and 45m.

At 39.7 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 19.8 mi from Butler, NJ · 22m into the drive

most populous city in the United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

New York City, NY

20 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Staten Island, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 39.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

New York City, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 19.8 miles from Butler, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Elizabeth, NJ

Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Elizabeth, NJ if you are unfamiliar with the area.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$6.58 one way

$13.16 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 14 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $7.21 $14.42
premium $4.93 $7.70 $15.40
diesel $5.61 $8.77 $17.53

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$7

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$32–$57

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 13.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 11.9 0 $4.17 $1.91
Efficient EV 9.9 0 $3.47 $1.59
EV Truck/SUV 15.9 0 $5.56 $2.54

Gas CO2

14 kg

EV CO2

5 kg (64% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Butler, NJ

Night in Butler on Wednesday

Local time

11:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Elizabeth, NJ

Night in Elizabeth on Wednesday

Local time

11:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

4 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

45m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Butler, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ covers 39.7 miles and takes about 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Paterson-Hamburg Turnpike, Newark-Pompton Turnpike, I 80 East. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 19.8 miles from Butler, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.58 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Butler, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ is easy. At 45m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Butler, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Butler, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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