Origin
Carteret, NJ
Morning in Carteret on Wednesday
Local time
7:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Carteret, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
16m
Distance
7.9 mi
13 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 15m
★
6 AM
0h 17m
8 AM
0h 19m
10 AM
0h 18m
12 PM
0h 17m
3 PM
0h 18m
5 PM
0h 19m
8 PM
0h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carteret, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Elizabeth, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This short 7.9-mile drive from Carteret, NJ, to Elizabeth, NJ, is easily manageable as a day trip, taking approximately 16 minutes. Primarily utilizing the New Jersey Turnpike and US 1, with a section on Washington Avenue, this route offers a practical connection within the Northeast region. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $1, it's an economical journey. The mixed drive profile suggests a blend of highway and local road experiences. Given its brevity, no overnight split is necessary, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
3.9 miles from Carteret, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 7m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 44% of it being highway driving. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 2.5 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike, offering a chance to maintain a steady pace. As you transition from the Turnpike to US 1 and then Washington Avenue, the road character will likely shift, potentially introducing more local traffic and varied speed limits. This journey isn't a monotonous interstate cruise but rather a dynamic commute through New Jersey's bustling landscape.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
New Jersey Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 2.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Linden Street.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 7.9 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Linden Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (Industrial Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Linden Street
Turn left onto Linden Street
Navigation decision point
5
1.1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
Industrial Highway
Turn right onto Industrial Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
9
1.2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 95 Toll, NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 95 Toll, NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpik...
9
1.5 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 North, NJTP North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North
8
4.4 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit toward I 278: Elizabeth, Staten Island
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 13
Toward I 278: Elizabeth, Staten Island
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Carteret, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North, Staten Island and Linden.
Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
1.2 mi in
|
~3m
Njtp North
1.5 mi in
|
~4m
Staten Island
4.4 mi in
|
~8m
Linden
5.3 mi in
|
~9m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| US 1 | 1 mi | 1m |
| Washington Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Bayway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Roosevelt Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South Broad Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Jersey Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Industrial Highway | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 2.5 mi, about 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carteret, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ.
1
Start on Carteret Avenue
194 ft
·
10 sec
·
Carteret Avenue
2
Turn left onto Linden Street
0.1 mi
·
39 sec
·
Linden Street
3
Turn left onto CR 604
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Avenue
4
Continue on CR 602
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
Roosevelt Avenue
5
Turn right onto Industrial Highway
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Industrial Highway
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 95 Toll, NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
Use the left lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
211 ft
·
5 sec
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
9
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
10
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 13
Toward I 278: Elizabeth, Staten Island
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn straight
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 278 West, NJ 439: Elizabeth, Linden
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
35 sec
Toward NJ 439: Elizabeth
13
Continue on NJ 439
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Bayway
14
Turn right onto CR 623
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
·
South Broad Street
15
Turn right onto US 1; US 9
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 1; US 9
16
Turn right
60 ft
·
6 sec
17
Turn right
383 ft
·
28 sec
18
Turn right
278 ft
·
22 sec
19
Turn right onto East Jersey Street
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
East Jersey Street
20
Turn right
34 ft
·
2 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this brief 16-minute journey, there are no mandatory stops needed, offering you maximum flexibility. You can depart at any time, though avoiding peak rush hour on the New Jersey Turnpike and US 1 is always a good idea to ensure the quickest travel. The estimated fuel cost is only $1, so refueling isn't a major concern. A practical tip for this specific route: pay close attention to signage when transitioning from the Turnpike to US 1, as these can be busy interchanges.
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 3.9 miles from Carteret, NJ, or about 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 2.5 miles.
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 7.9 miles or 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 3.9 miles or 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elizabeth, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Carteret, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Carteret, NJ
This is one driving day of about 7.9 miles and 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Carteret, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on New Jersey Turnpike for about 2.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 3.9 mi from Carteret, NJ · 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
4 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 7.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 3.9 miles from Carteret, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Elizabeth, NJ
The final approach into Elizabeth, NJ usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Elizabeth, NJ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$1.31 one way
$2.62 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
3 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $1.43 | $2.87 |
| premium | $4.93 | $1.53 | $3.06 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $1.74 | $3.49 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.35
New Jersey Turnpike
(2.5 mi)
$0.35
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$1
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 2.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2.4 | 0 | $0.83 | $0.38 |
| Efficient EV | 2 | 0 | $0.69 | $0.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 3.2 | 0 | $1.11 | $0.51 |
Gas CO2
3 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Elizabeth, NJ
Morning in Elizabeth on Wednesday
Local time
7:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
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
2 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
16m 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 Carteret, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ covers 7.9 miles and takes about 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New Jersey Turnpike, US 1, Washington Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 3.9 miles from Carteret, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.31 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 7.9 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Linden Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (Industrial Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Carteret, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North, Staten Island and Linden.
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