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Trip from West Caldwell, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ

Data updated 1 hour ago

Drive Time

30m

Distance

19.5 mi

31 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$3

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 8 min
4 AM
0h 28m ★
6 AM
0h 31m
8 AM
0h 36m
10 AM
0h 33m
12 PM
0h 32m
3 PM
0h 33m
5 PM
0h 36m
8 PM
0h 29m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States

West Caldwell, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Elizabeth, NJ, NJ

Elizabeth, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from West Caldwell, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ covers 19.5 miles and takes about 30m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Essex Freeway, US 1, Passaic Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 9.9 miles on Essex Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $3.23 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.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

9.8 miles from West Caldwell, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 13m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

This is a 30m highway drive covering 19.5 miles, with most of the trip on Essex Freeway and US 1. The longest continuous stretch is about 9.9 miles on Essex Freeway.

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.
Essex Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 9.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Essex Freeway and US 1. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near CR 611 / Eagle Rock Avenue.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 19.5 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 1.9 miles (CR 611 / Eagle Rock Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles (CR 609 / Eisenhower Parkway): Navigation decision point; at 2.6 miles (I 280 / Essex Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

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

5
1.9 mi into trip | ~3m in | CR 611 / Eagle Rock Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto CR 611 / Eagle Rock Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
2.1 mi into trip | ~3m in | CR 609 / Eisenhower Parkway

Turn right onto CR 609 / Eisenhower Parkway

Navigation decision point

5
2.6 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 280 / Essex Freeway

Merge onto I 280 / Essex Freeway

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
12.5 mi into trip | ~17m in

Take the exit toward Martin Luther King Boulevard, Broad Street Station, Rutgers University, Essex County College

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 Toward Martin Luther King Boulevard, Broad Stre...
6
12.7 mi into trip | ~17m in | Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard

Turn right onto Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between West Caldwell, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ, road signs point toward Broad Street Station, Rutgers University and Essex County College.

Broad Street Station

12.5 mi in | ~17m

Rutgers University

12.5 mi in | ~17m

Essex County College

12.5 mi in | ~17m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Essex Freeway 9.9 mi 13m
US 1 3.3 mi 4m
Passaic Avenue 1.9 mi 3m
University Avenue 1.2 mi 2m
McCarter Highway 0.8 mi 1m
Broad Street 0.4 mi 1m
Washington Street 0.3 mi <1m
Eagle Rock Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Essex Freeway — 9.9 mi, about 13m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between West Caldwell, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ.

1

Start on CR 613

1.9 mi · 3 min · Passaic Avenue
2

At end of road, turn right onto CR 611

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Eagle Rock Avenue
3

Turn right onto CR 609

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Eisenhower Parkway
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 280 East
5

Merge onto I 280

9.9 mi · 13 min · Essex Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 21 sec
Exit 14 Toward Martin Luther King Boulevard, Broad Street Station, Rutgers University, Essex County College Use the slight right lane.
7

Turn right onto Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard

269 ft · 9 sec · Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Use the right lane.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard

140 ft · 11 sec · Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
9

Turn left onto Orange Street

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Orange Street
10

Turn right onto University Avenue

1.2 mi · 2 min · University Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
11

Turn right onto Washington Street

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Washington Street
Use the right lane.
12

Continue on Lincoln Park

361 ft · 9 sec · Lincoln Park
13

Continue on Clinton Avenue

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Clinton Avenue
Use the right lane.
14

Turn left onto Parkhurst Street

0.1 mi · 27 sec · Parkhurst Street
15

At end of road, turn left onto Parkhurst Street

0.1 mi · 27 sec · Parkhurst Street
16

Turn right onto Broad Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Broad Street
17

Take the ramp

275 ft · 6 sec
Toward NJ 21 South
18

Merge onto NJ 21

0.8 mi · 1 min · McCarter Highway
19

Merge onto US 1; US 9

0.2 mi · 17 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

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 9.8 miles from West Caldwell, NJ, or about 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 9.9 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 19.5 miles or 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 9.8 miles or 13m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 26m

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 West Caldwell, 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 West Caldwell, NJ

This is one driving day of about 19.5 miles and 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from West Caldwell, 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 Essex Freeway for about 9.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 9.8 mi from West Caldwell, NJ · 13m into the drive

most populous city in the United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

New York City, NY

10 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 19.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

New York City, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 9.8 miles from West Caldwell, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Thomas Edison National Historical Park

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...

0 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 near mile 8.1
Park Closure: Glenmont Mansion and Grounds Closed
View on nps.gov
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

8 mi from route ~20 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Morristown National Historical Park

Morristown National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

12 mi from route ~29 min detour Free near mile 2
View on nps.gov
Gateway National Recreation Area

Gateway National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

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...

17 mi from route ~42 min detour Free near mile 18.8
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$3.23 one way

$6.47 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 7 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $3.54 $7.08
premium $4.93 $3.78 $7.56
diesel $5.61 $4.31 $8.61

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$28–$53

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 6.8 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 5.9 0 $2.05 $0.94
Efficient EV 4.9 0 $1.71 $0.78
EV Truck/SUV 7.8 0 $2.73 $1.25

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.

Forecast data refreshed 4 days ago

Origin

West Caldwell, NJ

Evening in West Caldwell on Tuesday

Local time

6:41 PM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Elizabeth, NJ

Evening in Elizabeth on Tuesday

Local time

6:41 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

3 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

30m 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 West Caldwell, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ covers 19.5 miles and takes about 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Essex Freeway, US 1, Passaic Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 9.8 miles from West Caldwell, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.23 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 19 significant decision points across 19.5 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 1.9 miles (CR 611 / Eagle Rock Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles (CR 609 / Eisenhower Parkway): Navigation decision point; at 2.6 miles (I 280 / Essex Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between West Caldwell, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ, road signs point toward Broad Street Station, Rutgers University and Essex County College.

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