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Trip from Elizabeth, NJ to Hackensack, NJ

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 6, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

34m

Distance

22.6 mi

36 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$4

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 9 min
4 AM
0h 31m ★
6 AM
0h 34m
8 AM
0h 40m
10 AM
0h 36m
12 PM
0h 36m
3 PM
0h 37m
5 PM
0h 40m
8 PM
0h 33m

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

Best Time
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Downtown Elizabeth, NJ, NJ

Elizabeth, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

city in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States

Hackensack, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Elizabeth, NJ to Hackensack, NJ covers 22.6 miles and takes about 34m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur, US 1, Christopher Columbus Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed highway & surface. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 9.9 miles on New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur. At current regular gas prices, budget about $3.78 one way before food or hotel costs.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur 9.9 mi 13m
US 1 1.4 mi 1m
Christopher Columbus Highway 1.2 mi 1m
South River Street 1.2 mi 2m
Spring Street 1.1 mi 1m
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway 0.6 mi <1m
East Jersey Street 0.2 mi <1m
East Kennedy Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur — 9.9 mi, about 13m

Traffic on I-80

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 90 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~3,528 veh/hr typical · worst 4,100

Quietest

2 AM

~312 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

11.3×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 93 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

34 ft · 7 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto East Jersey Street

0.2 mi · 36 sec · East Jersey Street
3

Turn left onto US 1; US 9

1.1 mi · 1 min · Spring Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4

Keep slight right at fork onto US 1; US 9

1.4 mi · 1 min · US 1; US 9
Use the straight lane.
5

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 14 sec
Toward I 78, I 95, NJTP: Haynes Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight right at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 78, I 95, NJTP Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 78 East: Holland Tunnel, New York City Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 1-9 North Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto I 78

0.6 mi · 46 sec · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 95/NJTP North Tolls

0.1 mi · 7 sec · I 95/NJTP North Tolls
11

Keep straight at fork

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North
12

Continue on this road

1.2 mi · 2 min · this road
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North
13

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 59 sec
Toward I 95, NJ 3: George Washington Bridge Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto I 95; NJTP

9.9 mi · 13 min · New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
15

Take the exit

1.9 mi · 2 min
Toward I 80 West: Paterson Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 80 West Local: Hackensack Use the slight right lane.
17

Continue on I 80

1.2 mi · 1 min · Christopher Columbus Highway
18

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Exit 66 Toward Hudson Street, Hackensack, Little Ferry Use the slight right lane.
19

Continue on East Kennedy Street

0.2 mi · 30 sec · East Kennedy Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
20

Turn left onto CR 503; CR 49

1.2 mi · 2 min · South River Street
Use the left lane.
21

Turn left onto East Salem Street

0.2 mi · 40 sec · East Salem Street
22

Turn left

195 ft · 16 sec
23

Arrive at destination

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.9 and 20.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
2.9 mi into trip | ~4m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 78, I 95, NJTP

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward I 78, I 95, NJTP
8
3.7 mi into trip | ~6m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 78 East: Holland Tunnel, New York City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 78 East: Holland Tunnel, New York City
8
4.2 mi into trip | ~7m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 78 East, US 1-9 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 78 East, US 1-9 North
8
6.6 mi into trip | ~10m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 95, NJ 3: George Washington Bridge

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 95, NJ 3: George Washington Bridge
8
20.9 mi into trip | ~30m in

Take the exit toward Hudson Street, Hackensack, Little Ferry

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 66 Toward Hudson Street, Hackensack, Little Ferry

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$3.78 one way

$7.55 round trip

$4.24/gal 25.4 MPG avg 8 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.67 $4.16 $8.31
premium $5.01 $4.46 $8.92
diesel $5.60 $4.98 $9.96

Estimated Tolls: $1.39

New Jersey Turnpike (9.9 mi) $1.39

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$4

Tolls

$1

Total

$5

Estimated CO2 emission: 7.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.

Driving Electric?

About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 6.8 0 $2.37 $1.08
Efficient EV 5.7 0 $1.98 $0.90
EV Truck/SUV 9 0 $3.16 $1.45

Gas CO2

8 kg

EV CO2

3 kg (63% 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 Sep 1, 2026

Origin

Elizabeth, NJ

Late night in Elizabeth on Sunday

Local time

5:48 AM

EDT

Current temp

86°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 6 mph 84% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued September 1 at 4:35PM EDT until September 2 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued September 1 at 4:33PM EDT until September 2 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Upton NY

Destination

Hackensack, NJ

Late night in Hackensack on Sunday

Local time

5:48 AM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy

NE 2 to 6 mph 90% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued September 1 at 4:35PM EDT until September 2 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued September 1 at 4:33PM EDT until September 2 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Upton NY

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

19 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

34m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

22.6 mi in 34m — 53% highway, the rest on surface roads. Biggest road: New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur.

53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 9.9 mi on New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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 2.9 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 19 decision points packed into just 22.6 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 34m.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 2.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

31 ft -3 ft

Total Climb

88 ft

Total Descent

86 ft

Highest Point

31 ft

~6.5 mi in

Elevation Range

33 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Elizabeth, NJ and Hackensack, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp, New York City, Njtp North and Little Ferry.

Njtp

2.9 mi in | ~4m

New York City

3.7 mi in | ~6m

Njtp North

5.2 mi in | ~8m

Little Ferry

20.9 mi in | ~30m

About the Cities

Starting in Elizabeth, NJ

Full guide →

Founded 1665

Elizabeth is the fourth largest city in New Jersey.

Top landmarks

  • • Newark Liberty International Airport — international airport in Newark, New Jersey
  • • Elizabeth station — historic former railroad station in Elizabeth, New Jersey
  • • Belcher–Ogden Mansion; Benjamin Price House; and Price–Brittan House Historic District — historic district in Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States

Arriving in Hackensack, NJ

Full guide →

Founded 1665

Hackensack is a city in Bergen County, New Jersey. It is the county seat, and a center of government, legal activity, and commerce in the region. Hackensack's central location within Bergen county make it the perfect place to stay for anyone wanting to explore the region.

Top landmarks

  • • USS Ling — 1943 Balao-class submarine
  • • Anderson Street — rail station in NJ
  • • Bergen County Court House — municipal edifice in New Jersey

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 34m. Total distance: 22.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

34m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (53%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 9.9 miles on New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.39 in tolls one way, starting with New Jersey Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Hackensack, NJ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 2.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Hackensack, NJ before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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