Origin
Franklin, NJ
Afternoon in Franklin on Thursday
Local time
4:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Franklin, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 4m
Distance
49 mi
79 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
0h 59m
★
6 AM
1h 5m
8 AM
1h 15m
10 AM
1h 8m
12 PM
1h 7m
3 PM
1h 9m
5 PM
1h 14m
8 PM
1h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Franklin, NJ
Matt Weissinger
Elizabeth, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Franklin, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ covers 49 miles and takes about 1h 4m 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 27.3 miles on NJ 23. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.12 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 4m. Total distance: 49 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 4m highway drive covering 49 miles, with most of the trip on NJ 23 and NJ 21. The longest continuous stretch is about 27.3 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 15 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 27.3 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 early in the drive near NJ 23; CR 517.
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 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (NJ 23; CR 517): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.2 miles (NJ 23): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
NJ 23; CR 517
Turn right onto NJ 23; CR 517
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
21.2 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
NJ 23
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 23
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
27.4 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East, US 46 East: New York, Clifton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 80 East, US 46 East: New York, Clifton
5
27.4 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 46 East: Clifton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 46 East: Clifton
6
35.9 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Take the exit toward NJ 21 South: Newark
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward NJ 21 South: Newark
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Franklin, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Clifton along the way.
Clifton
27.4 mi in
|
~33m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NJ 23 | 27.3 mi | 33m |
| NJ 21 | 9 mi | 14m |
| NJ 3 | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| US 46 | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| US 1 | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| East Jersey Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| High Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
NJ 23
— 27.3 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ.
1
Start on High Street
218 ft
·
12 sec
·
High Street
2
Turn right onto NJ 23; CR 517
21 mi
·
26 min
·
NJ 23; CR 517
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 23
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
NJ 23
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
297 ft
·
7 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 46 East: New York, Clifton
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward US 46 East: Clifton
6
Merge onto US 46
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
US 46
7
Continue on US 46
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 46
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Turn slight left onto NJ 3
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward NJ 21 South: Newark
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto NJ 21
9.0 mi
·
14 min
·
NJ 21
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto US 1; US 9
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
US 1; US 9
12
Continue on US 1; US 9
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
US 1; US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn right onto East Jersey Street
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
East Jersey Street
14
Turn right
34 ft
·
2 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.5 mi from Franklin, NJ · 30m 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 24.5 miles from Franklin, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.12 one way
$16.25 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $8.90 | $17.79 |
| premium | $4.93 | $9.50 | $19.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.82 | $21.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.1 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 | 14.7 | 0 | $5.15 | $2.35 |
| Efficient EV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.29 | $1.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.6 | 0 | $6.86 | $3.14 |
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
Elizabeth, NJ
Afternoon in Elizabeth on Thursday
Local time
4:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 4m 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 Franklin, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ covers 49 miles and takes about 1h 4m 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 24.5 miles from Franklin, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.12 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 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (NJ 23; CR 517): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.2 miles (NJ 23): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Franklin, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Clifton along the way.
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