Origin
Montague, NJ
Afternoon in Montague on Friday
Local time
1:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Montague, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 35m
Distance
66 mi
106 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 29m
★
6 AM
1h 36m
8 AM
1h 50m
10 AM
1h 41m
12 PM
1h 39m
3 PM
1h 42m
5 PM
1h 50m
8 PM
1h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Montague, NJ
Dajana Blakcori
Elizabeth, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Montague, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ covers 66 miles and takes about 1h 35m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Lafayette Road, River Road, NJ 24 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 13.5 miles on Lafayette Road. At current regular gas prices, budget about $10.92 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
33 miles from Montague, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 35m. Total distance: 66 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (40%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
The drive from Montague, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ covers 66 miles and takes about 1h 35m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Lafayette Road is the longest continuous segment at about 13.5 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
978 ft
19 ft
Total Climb
893 ft
Total Descent
1,392 ft
Highest Point
978 ft
~23.6 mi in
Elevation Range
959 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 42 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 66 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 42 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
42 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
Take the exit toward I 287: Morristown, Mahwah
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 43
Toward I 287: Morristown, Mahwah
9
42.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 287 South: Morristown, Somerville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 287 South: Morristown, Somerville
7
45.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward NJ 24 East: Springfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 37
Toward NJ 24 East: Springfield
8
60.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
Take the exit toward Hillside, Irvington
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 54
Toward Hillside, Irvington
8
61.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Hillside
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Hillside
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Montague, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ, road signs point toward Mahwah, Somerville, New York City, Newark, Hillside and Irvington.
Mahwah
42 mi in
|
~1h 2m
Somerville
42.1 mi in
|
~1h 2m
New York City
55.7 mi in
|
~1h 19m
Newark
55.7 mi in
|
~1h 19m
Hillside
60.9 mi in
|
~1h 25m
Irvington
60.9 mi in
|
~1h 25m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lafayette Road | 13.5 mi | 20m |
| River Road | 10 mi | 15m |
| NJ 24 | 9.3 mi | 10m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 8.6 mi | 9m |
| US 206 | 5.2 mi | 8m |
| Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway | 4.6 mi | 5m |
| Rt 15 South | 3.8 mi | 5m |
| I 287 | 3.4 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Lafayette Road
— 13.5 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Montague, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ.
1
Start on CR 521
10 mi
·
15 min
·
River Road
2
Continue on US 206
5.2 mi
·
8 min
·
US 206
3
Continue on NJ 15
13 mi
·
20 min
·
Lafayette Road
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on NJ 15
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Rt 15 South
5
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 80 East: New York
6
Merge onto I 80
8.6 mi
·
9 min
·
Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 43
Toward I 287: Morristown, Mahwah
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 287 South: Morristown, Somerville
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 287
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
I 287
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 37
Toward NJ 24 East: Springfield
Use the slight right lane.
11
Continue on NJ 24
9.3 mi
·
10 min
·
NJ 24
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I 78 East: Holland Tunnel, New York City, Newark
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Toward I 78 East Local: Newark
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 78
4.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Exit 54
Toward Hillside, Irvington
Use the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
Toward Hillside
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on Winans Avenue
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Winans Avenue
18
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Liberty Avenue
19
Turn left onto CR 628
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
Hillside Avenue
20
Continue on CR 628
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Hillside Avenue
21
At end of road, turn right onto CR 623
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Broad Street
22
Turn left onto NJ 439
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Avenue
23
Turn right onto Spring Street
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Spring Street
24
Turn right onto East Jersey Street
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
East Jersey Street
25
Turn right
34 ft
·
2 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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 33 miles from Montague, NJ, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.5 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 66 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33 miles or 51m 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 20m
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 Montague, 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 Montague, NJ
This is one driving day of about 66 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Montague, 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 Lafayette Road for about 13.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 33 mi from Montague, NJ · 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
33 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 66 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 33 miles from Montague, 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
$10.92 one way
$21.84 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $11.95 | $23.90 |
| premium | $4.92 | $12.79 | $25.58 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $14.66 | $29.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.8 | 0 | $6.93 | $3.17 |
| Efficient EV | 16.5 | 0 | $5.77 | $2.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26.4 | 0 | $9.24 | $4.22 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 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 Friday
Local time
1:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
W 17 mph
18% chance
Live forecast
57°F
Ramapo, NY
33 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
24 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 35m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Montague, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ covers 66 miles and takes about 1h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Lafayette Road, River Road, NJ 24. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 33 miles from Montague, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.92 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 18 significant decision points across 66 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 42 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Montague, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ, road signs point toward Mahwah, Somerville, New York City, Newark, Hillside and Irvington.
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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Elizabeth, NJ
More from Montague, NJ
More trips to Elizabeth, NJ
Explore more options from Montague, NJ or browse trips ending in Elizabeth, NJ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NJ road trips.