Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
43m
Distance
31.8 mi
51 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elizabeth, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Dayton, NJ
Tashaud Bullock
The drive from Elizabeth, NJ to Dayton, NJ covers 31.8 miles and takes about 43m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on New Jersey Turnpike, US 1, Georges Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 24.5 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $5.27 one way before food or hotel costs.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 43m. Total distance: 31.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 43m highway drive covering 31.8 miles, with most of the trip on New Jersey Turnpike and US 1. The longest continuous stretch is about 24.5 miles on New Jersey Turnpike.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and US 1. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in near Brunswick Avenue.
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 16 decision points packed into just 31.8 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 43m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles (Brunswick Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto Brunswick Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward I 95 Toll, NJTP Toll: NJ Turnpike
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto Exit 8A toward NJ 32: Jamesburg, Cranbury
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward CR 535: Cranbury, South Brunswick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Elizabeth, NJ and Dayton, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp Toll: Nj Turnpike, Njtp South: Trenton, Cranbury, Cr 535: Cranbury and Brunswick.
Njtp Toll: Nj Turnpike
Njtp South: Trenton
Cranbury
Cr 535: Cranbury
Brunswick
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike | 24.5 mi | 28m |
| US 1 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Georges Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| Forsgate Drive | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Exit 8A | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Bayway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| US 130 | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| East Jersey Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabeth, NJ and Dayton, NJ.
Start on this road
Turn left onto East Jersey Street
Turn right onto US 1; US 9
Enter roundabout onto NJ 439
Continue on NJ 439
Turn right onto Brunswick Avenue
Take the ramp
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
Take the exit onto Exit 8A
Keep slight right at fork
Turn left onto CR 535
Turn right onto NJ 32
Turn slight right
Merge onto US 130
Take the exit
Continue on CR 697
Turn right
Turn left
Turn left
Arrive at destination
Regular Gas
$5.27 one way
$10.54 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $5.77 | $11.55 |
| premium | $4.93 | $6.17 | $12.33 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.02 | $14.04 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.44
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Tolls
$3
Total
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.34 | $1.53 |
| Efficient EV | 8 | 0 | $2.78 | $1.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.7 | 0 | $4.45 | $2.04 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Elizabeth on Friday
Local time
1:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Partly Sunny
Destination
Late night in Dayton on Friday
Local time
1:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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