Mantua to Elizabeth is 85.9 miles and takes about 1 hour 51 minutes via New Jersey Turnpike and I 295, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, entirely within New Jersey, making it a straightforward journey. The route is primarily highway-focused, meaning you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads. It's a solid choice for a single-day trip, especially if you're looking for efficiency and a predictable drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43 miles from Mantua, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 57m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 51m. Total distance: 85.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for this route, with 89% of the journey on high-speed roads. You'll encounter the New Jersey Turnpike and I 295 prominently, indicating a predominantly interstate experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 63.4 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike, so be prepared for a sustained period of highway driving without many changes in road type. While the majority is highway, there are some segments on Mantua Pike that may offer a slight variation before rejoining the faster routes.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
New Jersey Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 63.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and I 295. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.2 miles in near I 295.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.9 miles you will encounter 22 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 5.2 miles (I 295): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
5.2 mi into trip|~10m in|I 295
Merge onto I 295
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
16.9 mi into trip|~25m in
Take the exit toward NJ 73 South: Berlin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 36A
Toward NJ 73 South: Berlin
7
18 mi into trip|~27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJTP North: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward NJTP North: New York
6
33.1 mi into trip|~45m in|NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
81.9 mi into trip|~1h 42m in
Take the exit toward I 278: Elizabeth, 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 13
Toward I 278: Elizabeth, Staten Island
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Mantua, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike and Njtp North: New York.
Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike
17.5 mi in|~26m
Njtp North: New York
18 mi in|~27m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
63.4 mi
1h 13m
I 295
11.7 mi
14m
Mantua Pike
2.8 mi
4m
South Broad Street
1.6 mi
4m
US 1
1 mi
1m
Broadway
0.7 mi
1m
Bayway
0.3 mi
<1m
East Jersey Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 63.4 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mantua, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ.
1
Start on this road
66 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto NJ 45
2.8 mi·4 min·Mantua Pike
3
Continue on NJ 45; CR 551
1.3 mi·3 min·South Broad Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto Edith Avenue
236 ft·9 sec·Edith Avenue
5
Turn left onto Washington Avenue
0.1 mi·15 sec·Washington Avenue
6
Continue on CR 551
0.2 mi·18 sec·Broadway
7
At end of road, turn left onto CR 551
0.5 mi·45 sec·Broadway
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 295 North: Walt Whitman Bridge
9
Merge onto I 295
12 mi·14 min·I 295
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 36AToward NJ 73 South: BerlinUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto NJ 73
0.2 mi·18 sec·NJ 73
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJTP: New Jersey Turnpike
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJTP North: New YorkUse the straight / right lanes.
14
Merge onto NJTP
15 mi·16 min·New Jersey Turnpike
15
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP
49 mi·56 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
1.4 mi·2 min
Exit 13Toward I 278: Elizabeth, Staten IslandUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn straight
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 278 West, NJ 439: Elizabeth, Linden
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·35 sec
Toward NJ 439: Elizabeth
19
Continue on NJ 439
0.3 mi·41 sec·Bayway
20
Turn right onto CR 623
0.3 mi·52 sec·South Broad Street
21
Turn right onto US 1; US 9
1.0 mi·1 min·US 1; US 9
22
Turn right
60 ft·6 sec
23
Turn right
383 ft·28 sec
24
Turn right
278 ft·22 sec
25
Turn right onto East Jersey Street
0.3 mi·50 sec·East Jersey Street
26
Turn right
34 ft·2 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour 51 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility for when to depart. Leaving mid-morning could help you avoid the worst of any potential rush hour traffic. Since it's a single-day trip with no designated stops in the data, you can easily complete it in one go. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is $14, and while there are ample opportunities to refuel along the New Jersey Turnpike, it's always wise to top off before heading out, especially if you plan to make any detours. Plan to use the New Jersey Turnpike's service areas for any necessary breaks.
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 43 miles from Mantua, NJ, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.4 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 19 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43 miles or 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 31m
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 Mantua, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Mantua, NJ
This is one driving day of about 85.9 miles and 1h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Mantua, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New Jersey Turnpike for about 63.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 82.9
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 85.9
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
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 85.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.24 one way
$28.48 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$15.60
$31.19
premium
$4.93
$16.66
$33.32
diesel
$5.61
$18.97
$37.93
Estimated Tolls: $8.87
New Jersey Turnpike
(63.4 mi)$8.87
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
$14
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.8
0
$9.02
$4.12
Efficient EV
21.5
0
$7.52
$3.44
EV Truck/SUV
34.4
0
$12.03
$5.50
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% 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
Mantua, NJ
Evening
in Mantua on Friday
Local time
5:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Elizabeth, NJ
Evening
in Elizabeth on Friday
Local time
5:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
47°F
Bristol, PA
43 mi in
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
1h 51m 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 Mantua, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ covers 85.9 miles and takes about 1h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New Jersey Turnpike, I 295, Mantua Pike. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 43 miles from Mantua, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.24 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 85.9 miles you will encounter 22 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 5.2 miles (I 295): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Mantua, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike and Njtp North: New York.
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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
