The drive from Cedar Grove, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ covers 126.3 miles and takes about 2h 37m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Garden State Parkway, US 9, Shore Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 109.1 miles on Garden State Parkway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.94 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
63.1 miles from Cedar Grove, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 16m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 37m. Total distance: 126.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 37m highway drive covering 126.3 miles, with most of the trip on Garden State Parkway and US 9. The longest continuous stretch is about 109.1 miles on Garden State Parkway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Garden State Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 109.1 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
131 ft8 ft
Total Climb
317 ft
Total Descent
321 ft
Highest Point
131 ft
~54.1 mi in
Elevation Range
123 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and US 9. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 39.6 miles in near GSP / Garden State Parkway.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 126.3 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: at 39.6 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 112.7 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
39.6 mi into trip|~48m in|GSP / Garden State Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
112.7 mi into trip|~2h 14m in|GSP / Garden State Parkway
Take the exit onto GSP / Garden State Parkway toward GSP North, US 9 North, NJ 440: Woodbridge, 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 127
Toward GSP North, US 9 North, NJ 440: Woodbridg...
9
113.9 mi into trip|~2h 16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 9 North, I 287, NJ 440: Woodbridge, Staten Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 127
Toward US 9 North, I 287, NJ 440: Woodbridge, S...
7
114.1 mi into trip|~2h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 9 North: Woodbridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 9 North: Woodbridge
6
123.6 mi into trip|~2h 32m in|US 1; US 9 / East Edgar Road
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9 / East Edgar Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cedar Grove, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp North and Staten Island.
Gsp North
112.7 mi in|~2h 14m|via GSP
Staten Island
112.7 mi in|~2h 14m|via GSP
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
109.1 mi
2h 8m
US 9
9.2 mi
14m
Shore Road
2.4 mi
4m
Carlton Street
1.5 mi
2m
East Edgar Road
0.7 mi
1m
Kings Highway
0.7 mi
1m
Sea Isle Boulevard
0.5 mi
<1m
East Jersey Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 109.1 mi, about 2h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Grove, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ.
1
Start on CR 608
0.7 mi·1 min·Kings Highway
2
Turn straight onto NJ 83
0.2 mi·22 sec·Trooper Bertram T. Zimmerman III Memorial Highway
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 9
2.4 mi·4 min·Shore Road
4
Turn right onto CR 625
0.5 mi·43 sec·Sea Isle Boulevard
5
Take the ramp
237 ft·5 sec
Toward GSP Toll North
6
Continue on GSP NB Entrance 17
0.1 mi·19 sec·GSP NB Entrance 17
Toward GSP: garden state parkway
7
Merge onto GSP
1.5 mi·1 min·Garden State Parkway
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·31 sec
9
Merge onto GSP
34 mi·39 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
50 mi·58 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·31 sec
12
Continue on GSP
22 mi·26 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto GSP
1.2 mi·2 min·Garden State Parkway
Exit 127Toward GSP North, US 9 North, NJ 440: Woodbridge, Staten IslandUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 127Toward US 9 North, I 287, NJ 440: Woodbridge, Staten IslandUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward US 9 North: WoodbridgeUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto US 9
9.2 mi·14 min·US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9
0.7 mi·1 min·East Edgar Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 1; US 9
1.5 mi·2 min·Carlton Street
19
Turn right
60 ft·6 sec
20
Turn right
383 ft·28 sec
21
Turn right
278 ft·22 sec
22
Turn right onto East Jersey Street
0.3 mi·50 sec·East Jersey Street
23
Turn right
34 ft·2 sec
24
Arrive at 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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 63.1 miles from Cedar Grove, NJ, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.1 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 28 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.1 miles or 1h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 3m
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 Cedar Grove, 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 Cedar Grove, NJ
This is one driving day of about 126.3 miles and 2h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Cedar Grove, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 109.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 63.1 mi from Cedar Grove, NJ
· 1h 16m into the drive
The midpoint is around 63.1 miles from Cedar Grove, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Garden State Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 109.1 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Thomas Edison National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Today, the brick buildings on Main Street in West Orange, NJ seem quiet, betraying little evidence of the research, development, and innovation of their heyday. Visitors can step back in time to Thoma...
9 mi from route
~21 min detour
$10
near mile 126.3
Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 126.3
Silk cloth and steam locomotives; textiles and continuous paper rolls; firearms and aircraft engines. What do these things have in common? All were manufactured in the same place - Paterson, NJ. In 17...
17 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 126.3
Morristown National Historical Park commemorates the sites of General Washington and the Continental Army’s winter encampment from December 1779 to June 1780, where soldiers survived the coldest winte...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 121.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.94 one way
$41.88 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$22.93
$45.87
premium
$4.93
$24.49
$48.99
diesel
$5.61
$27.89
$55.77
Estimated Tolls: $6.54
Garden State Parkway
(109.1 mi)$6.54
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
$21
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.9
0
$13.26
$6.06
Efficient EV
31.6
0
$11.05
$5.05
EV Truck/SUV
50.5
0
$17.68
$8.08
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Cedar Grove, NJ
Late night
in Cedar Grove on Saturday
Local time
4:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Elizabeth, NJ
Late night
in Elizabeth on Saturday
Local time
4:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 37m 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 Cedar Grove, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ covers 126.3 miles and takes about 2h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, US 9, Shore Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 63.1 miles from Cedar Grove, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.94 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 126.3 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: at 39.6 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 112.7 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Cedar Grove, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp North and Staten Island.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 8 ft to 131 ft elevation with about 317 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Gateway National Recreation Area and Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
