Origin
South Hackensack, NJ
Afternoon in South Hackensack on Friday
Local time
12:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from South Hackensack, 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
29m
Distance
20 mi
32 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 27m
★
6 AM
0h 30m
8 AM
0h 35m
10 AM
0h 32m
12 PM
0h 31m
3 PM
0h 32m
5 PM
0h 35m
8 PM
0h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Hackensack, NJ
Garrison Gao
Elizabeth, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
South Hackensack to Elizabeth is 20 miles and takes about 29 minutes via New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur and US 1, with a fuel budget near $3 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This short trip stays within New Jersey, connecting two points in the Northeast region. It's primarily a highway-focused drive, making it a quick and efficient option for transit between these two areas. Given its brevity, this route is ideal for a simple point-to-point journey when time is a factor. You won't need to plan for an overnight stay, and the minimal distance makes it easy to fit into any schedule.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 29m. Total distance: 20 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is heavily influenced by its highway focus, with 76% of the drive occurring on high-speed roads. You'll encounter stretches on the New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur and US 1, which are characteristic of major thoroughfares. The longest uninterrupted section spans 9.2 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur, offering a consistent pace. Expect a driving experience that prioritizes directness over scenic detours, typical for this type of regional highway travel. The road character remains largely consistent, emphasizing efficient travel between destinations.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur is the longest continuous segment at about 9.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur and US 1. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 20 decision points packed into just 20 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 29m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
2.2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South: NJ Turnpike, South Only
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 95 South: NJ Turnpike, South Only
8
2.9 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
8
13.2 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Take the exit toward I 78, US 1, US 9: Newark Airport, Holland Tunnel
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 14-14C
Toward I 78, US 1, US 9: Newark Airport, Hollan...
8
15.5 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 1-9 South, NJ 21, US 22: Newark
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 1-9 South, NJ 21, US 22: Newark
8
16 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
Executive Drive
Keep slight left at fork onto Executive Drive toward US 1, US 9 South: Elizabeth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 1, US 9 South: Elizabeth
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between South Hackensack, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp South: Nj Turnpike, Only, Njtp South: Trenton, Economy Parking and Area.
Njtp South: Nj Turnpike
2.2 mi in
|
~4m
Only
2.2 mi in
|
~4m
Njtp South: Trenton
2.9 mi in
|
~5m
Economy Parking
15.4 mi in
|
~22m
Area
15.4 mi in
|
~22m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur | 9.2 mi | 12m |
| US 1 | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| US 46 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Huyler Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| East Jersey Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Executive Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway Tolls | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
— 9.2 mi, about 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Hackensack, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ.
1
Start on this road
63 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
61 ft
·
7 sec
3
Turn right onto Chippewa Street
185 ft
·
15 sec
·
Chippewa Street
4
Turn left onto CR S-40
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Huyler Street
5
Turn left onto US 46
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
US 46
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the exit
306 ft
·
6 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: NJ Turnpike, Teaneck Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 South: NJ Turnpike, South Only
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
11
Merge onto I 95
7.2 mi
·
9 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
12
Take the exit
1.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 14-14C
Toward I 78, US 1, US 9: Newark Airport, Holland Tunnel
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 14
Toward I 78 West, US 1, US 9: Newark Airport
14
Merge onto I 78
379 ft
·
4 sec
·
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway Tolls
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 78
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward US 1-9 South: Newark, Economy Parking, North Area
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 1-9 South, NJ 21, US 22: Newark
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto Executive Drive
460 ft
·
11 sec
·
Executive Drive
Toward US 1, US 9 South: Elizabeth
Use the slight left lane.
19
Merge onto US 1; US 9
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
·
US 1; US 9
20
Continue on US 1; US 9
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
US 1; US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn right onto East Jersey Street
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
East Jersey Street
22
Turn right
34 ft
·
2 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$3.32 one way
$6.63 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $3.63 | $7.26 |
| premium | $4.93 | $3.88 | $7.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.42 | $8.83 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.29
New Jersey Turnpike
(9.2 mi)
$1.29
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Tolls
$1
Total
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6 | 0 | $2.10 | $0.96 |
| Efficient EV | 5 | 0 | $1.75 | $0.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8 | 0 | $2.80 | $1.28 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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
12:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
22 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
29m 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 South Hackensack, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ covers 20 miles and takes about 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur, US 1, US 46. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 10 miles from South Hackensack, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.32 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 short but busy drive. With 20 decision points packed into just 20 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 29m.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between South Hackensack, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp South: Nj Turnpike, Only, Njtp South: Trenton, Economy Parking and Area.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area. 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.
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