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Trip from Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ

Data updated 1 hour ago

Drive Time

40m

Distance

28 mi

45 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$5

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 10 min
4 AM
0h 37m ★
6 AM
0h 40m
8 AM
0h 47m
10 AM
0h 43m
12 PM
0h 42m
3 PM
0h 43m
5 PM
0h 47m
8 PM
0h 38m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ, NJ

Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ

Malcolm Garret

Downtown Elizabeth, NJ, NJ

Elizabeth, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 28-mile drive from Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ, to Elizabeth, NJ, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 40 minutes. Primarily a highway-focused experience, 94% of this route utilizes major roadways, making it a quick trip. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $5, this is an economical option for a single-day outing. No specific overnight stays are recommended, and with no planned stops, you can tailor your timing to fit your schedule. This route keeps you within the Northeast region, offering a familiar landscape for those traveling within New Jersey.

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

14 miles from Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 20m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive on this route, with 94% of the journey taking place on major roads like NJ 21, the Garden State Parkway, and NJ 17. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch at 14.3 miles on NJ 21, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the trip. While not a winding scenic byway, the highway nature ensures efficient travel between your starting point in Ho-Ho-Kus and your destination in Elizabeth. The profile suggests a smooth, albeit perhaps monotonous, experience for those prioritizing speed and directness.

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 21 is the longest continuous segment at about 14.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NJ 21 and Garden State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near CR 112 / Race Track Road.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 28 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 0.1 miles (CR 112 / Race Track Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.5 miles (NJ 17): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | CR 112 / Race Track Road

At end of road, turn left onto CR 112 / Race Track Road

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

5
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | NJ 17

Merge onto NJ 17

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
7
4.3 mi into trip | ~7m in

Take the exit toward GSP Toll South: Parkway South, Shore Points

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. Toward GSP Toll South: Parkway South, Shore Poi...
7
8.6 mi into trip | ~12m in

Take the exit toward US 46 West: Garfield

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 157 Toward US 46 West: Garfield
6
10.1 mi into trip | ~15m in | NJ 21

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / 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 Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp Toll South: Parkway South and Shore Points.

Gsp Toll South: Parkway South

4.3 mi in | ~7m

Shore Points

4.3 mi in | ~7m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
NJ 21 14.3 mi 20m
Garden State Parkway 3.8 mi 4m
NJ 17 3.8 mi 5m
US 1 3.3 mi 4m
US 46 1.1 mi 1m
Race Track Road 0.3 mi <1m
East Jersey Street 0.2 mi <1m
Arbor Drive 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: NJ 21 — 14.3 mi, about 20m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ.

1

Start on Arbor Drive

0.1 mi · 41 sec · Arbor Drive
2

At end of road, turn left onto CR 112

0.3 mi · 46 sec · Race Track Road
3

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 20 sec
4

Merge onto NJ 17

3.8 mi · 5 min · NJ 17
Use the right lane.
5

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward GSP Toll South: Parkway South, Shore Points Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Merge onto GSP

3.8 mi · 4 min · Garden State Parkway
7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 56 sec
Exit 157 Toward US 46 West: Garfield Use the slight right lane.
8

Merge onto US 46

1.1 mi · 1 min · US 46
Use the slight right lane.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21

14 mi · 20 min · NJ 21
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto US 1; US 9

0.2 mi · 17 sec · US 1; US 9
11

Continue on US 1; US 9

3.1 mi · 4 min · US 1; US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Turn right onto East Jersey Street

0.2 mi · 36 sec · East Jersey Street
13

Turn right

34 ft · 2 sec
14

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the short 40-minute duration and 28-mile distance, this trip offers great flexibility. You can depart at any time, but consider leaving mid-morning or early afternoon to potentially avoid peak traffic on the Garden State Parkway. With no required stops, you can make this an express journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $5, and while it's a short trip, topping up beforehand ensures a stress-free arrival. A practical tip: familiarize yourself with the specific NJ 21, Garden State Parkway, and NJ 17 interchanges before you leave to navigate the transitions smoothly.

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 14 miles from Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ, or about 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.3 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 40m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 14 miles or 20m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 34m

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 Ho-Ho-Kus, 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 Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ

This is one driving day of about 28 miles and 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ho-Ho-Kus, 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 NJ 21 for about 14.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 14 mi from Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ · 20m into the drive

most populous city in the United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

New York City, NY

14 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

Staten Island, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

New York City, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 14 miles from Ho-Ho-Kus, 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

$4.64 one way

$9.28 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 10 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $5.08 $10.17
premium $4.93 $5.43 $10.86
diesel $5.61 $6.18 $12.36

Estimated Tolls: $0.23

Garden State Parkway (3.8 mi) $0.23

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

$5

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$30–$55

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 9.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 8.4 0 $2.94 $1.34
Efficient EV 7 0 $2.45 $1.12
EV Truck/SUV 11.2 0 $3.92 $1.79

Gas CO2

10 kg

EV CO2

3 kg (70% 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 data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ

Evening in Ho-Ho-Kus on Tuesday

Local time

8:53 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Elizabeth, NJ

Evening in Elizabeth on Tuesday

Local time

8:53 PM

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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

40m 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 Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ covers 28 miles and takes about 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are NJ 21, Garden State Parkway, NJ 17. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 14 miles from Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.64 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 11 significant decision points across 28 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 0.1 miles (CR 112 / Race Track Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.5 miles (NJ 17): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp Toll South: Parkway South and Shore Points.

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