Origin
Elizabeth, NJ
Late night in Elizabeth on Friday
Local time
2:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Elizabeth, NJ to Franklin, NJ
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
1h 6m
Distance
49.7 mi
80 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 1m
★
6 AM
1h 6m
8 AM
1h 17m
10 AM
1h 10m
12 PM
1h 9m
3 PM
1h 11m
5 PM
1h 16m
8 PM
1h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elizabeth, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Franklin, NJ
Matt Weissinger
Trip Overview
The drive from Elizabeth, NJ to Franklin, NJ covers 49.7 miles and takes about 1h 6m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on NJ 23, NJ 21, NJ 3 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 27.6 miles on NJ 23. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.24 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 6m. Total distance: 49.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 6m highway drive covering 49.7 miles, with most of the trip on NJ 23 and NJ 21. The longest continuous stretch is about 27.6 miles on NJ 23.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
NJ 23 is the longest continuous segment at about 27.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NJ 23 and NJ 21. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in near US 1; US 9.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 49.7 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles (US 1; US 9): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.5 miles (NJ 21): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1.3 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 1; US 9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1; US 9
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
3.5 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
NJ 21
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21 toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
8
13 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Take the exit toward NJ 3: Clifton, Lincoln Tunnel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 9
Toward NJ 3: Clifton, Lincoln Tunnel
7
13.3 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 3 West: Clifton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward NJ 3 West: Clifton
5
21.8 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West, NJ 23 North: Delaware Water Gap, Butler
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 80 West, NJ 23 North: Delaware Water G...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Elizabeth, NJ and Franklin, NJ, road signs point toward Downtown and Butler.
Downtown
3.5 mi in
|
~5m
|
via NJ 21
Butler
21.8 mi in
|
~30m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NJ 23 | 27.6 mi | 34m |
| NJ 21 | 9.5 mi | 14m |
| NJ 3 | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| US 46 | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| US 1 | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Spring Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| East Jersey Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| High Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
NJ 23
— 27.6 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabeth, NJ and Franklin, NJ.
1
Start on this road
34 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto East Jersey Street
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
East Jersey Street
3
Turn left onto US 1; US 9
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Spring Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1; US 9
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
US 1; US 9
Use the straight lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21
9.5 mi
·
14 min
·
NJ 21
Toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 9
Toward NJ 3: Clifton, Lincoln Tunnel
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: Clifton
Use the slight right lane.
8
Continue on NJ 3
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto US 46
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
US 46
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 80 West, NJ 23 North: Delaware Water Gap, Butler
11
Merge onto NJ 23
4.6 mi
·
5 min
·
NJ 23
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on NJ 23
23 mi
·
29 min
·
NJ 23
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on High Street
218 ft
·
9 sec
·
High Street
14
Arrive at destination
High Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.9 mi from Elizabeth, NJ · 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 24.9 miles from Elizabeth, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Franklin, NJ
The final approach into Franklin, NJ usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.24 one way
$16.48 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $9.02 | $18.05 |
| premium | $4.93 | $9.64 | $19.28 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.97 | $21.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.9 | 0 | $5.22 | $2.39 |
| Efficient EV | 12.4 | 0 | $4.35 | $1.99 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.9 | 0 | $6.96 | $3.18 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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
Franklin, NJ
Late night in Franklin on Friday
Local time
2:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Ramapo, NY
25 mi in
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
16 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
1h 6m 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 Elizabeth, NJ to Franklin, NJ covers 49.7 miles and takes about 1h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are NJ 23, NJ 21, NJ 3. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 24.9 miles from Elizabeth, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.24 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 49.7 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles (US 1; US 9): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.5 miles (NJ 21): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Elizabeth, NJ and Franklin, NJ, road signs point toward Downtown and Butler.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area. There are 5 parks within detour distance of this route.
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