Origin
Elizabeth, NJ
Late night in Elizabeth on Tuesday
Local time
5:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Elizabeth, NJ to Lawrence, NJ
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
59m
Distance
40.9 mi
66 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 54m
★
6 AM
0h 59m
8 AM
1h 9m
10 AM
1h 2m
12 PM
1h 1m
3 PM
1h 3m
5 PM
1h 8m
8 PM
0h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elizabeth, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Lawrence, NJ
James Kampeis
Trip Overview
Spanning 40.9 miles through the heart of New Jersey, this trip from Elizabeth to Lawrence is a straightforward commute that typically takes about 59 minutes. Because the distance is relatively short, you can easily complete this as a simple day trip without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate using the New Jersey Turnpike and US 1, eventually transitioning to local roads like Quaker Bridge Road to reach your destination. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $7, this route is highly efficient for travelers moving between these two Northeast locations. Expect a practical, no-nonsense drive that prioritizes speed over scenic detours, making it ideal for those focused on getting from point A to point B quickly.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 1 | 19.5 mi | 27m |
| New Jersey Turnpike | 14.9 mi | 17m |
| Quaker Bridge Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Bayway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Lawrence Station Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| State Route 18 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East Jersey Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Brunswick Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 1
— 19.5 mi, about 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabeth, NJ and Lawrence, NJ.
1
Start on this road
34 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto East Jersey Street
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
East Jersey Street
3
Turn right onto US 1; US 9
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
US 1; US 9
4
Enter roundabout onto NJ 439
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Bayway
5
Continue on NJ 439
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Bayway
6
Turn right onto Brunswick Avenue
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Brunswick Avenue
Use the right lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 95 Toll, NJTP Toll: NJ Turnpike
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
Use the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
15 mi
·
17 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 9
Toward NJ 18 East, US 1 East: New Brunswick
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick, Rutgers University
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
323 ft
·
7 sec
Toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick, Rutgers University
14
Merge onto NJ 18; CR 527
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
State Route 18
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 1 South: Princeton, Trenton
16
Merge onto US 1
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
US 1
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on US 1
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
US 1
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
276 ft
·
4 sec
·
US 1
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
387 ft
·
6 sec
·
US 1
20
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
US 1
21
Continue on US 1
12 mi
·
17 min
·
US 1
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
Use the straight lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
Toward CR 533 South: Quaker Bridge Road
Use the right lane.
26
Turn slight right onto CR 533
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Quaker Bridge Road
27
Turn right onto CR 608
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Lawrence Station Road
28
Turn right onto Fountayne Boulevard
145 ft
·
10 sec
·
Fountayne Boulevard
29
Continue on Fountayne Boulevard
116 ft
·
11 sec
·
Fountayne Boulevard
30
Arrive at destination
Fountayne Boulevard
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
20 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 40.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.5 miles from Elizabeth, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 235 decision points cluster between mile 2.6 and 38.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
2.6 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
18 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Take the exit toward NJ 18 East, US 1 East: New Brunswick
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 9
Toward NJ 18 East, US 1 East: New Brunswick
8
18.8 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick, Rutgers University
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick, Rutgers Univ...
7
19 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick, Rutgers University
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick, Rutgers Univ...
8
38.8 mi into trip
|
~54m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CR 533 South: Quaker Bridge Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward CR 533 South: Quaker Bridge Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.78 one way
$13.56 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $7.43 | $14.85 |
| premium | $4.93 | $7.93 | $15.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.03 | $18.06 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.08
New Jersey Turnpike
(14.9 mi)
$2.08
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Tolls
$2
Total
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.29 | $1.96 |
| Efficient EV | 10.2 | 0 | $3.58 | $1.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.4 | 0 | $5.73 | $2.62 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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
Lawrence, NJ
Late night in Lawrence on Tuesday
Local time
5:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Patchy Frost then Sunny
E 5 to 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
62°F
New Brunswick, NJ
20 mi in
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
59m 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?
This 40.9-mile journey is heavily highway-focused, with 85% of your time spent on major transit arteries. You will experience a blend of high-speed travel and local navigation, starting with the fast-paced flow of the New Jersey Turnpike before transitioning onto US 1. The most significant portion of your drive occurs on US 1, which features a 19.5-mile stretch that serves as the longest uninterrupted segment of the trip. As you move away from the denser traffic near Elizabeth and approach Lawrence, the road character shifts from major interstate driving to more localized regional roads. Be prepared for a consistent, steady pace that requires you to stay alert as you navigate these primary transit corridors.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 19.5 mi on US 1.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 1 and New Jersey Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 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 23 decision points packed into just 40.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 59m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Lawrence, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp Toll: Nj Turnpike, Njtp South: Trenton, Rutgers University and Trenton.
Njtp Toll: Nj Turnpike
2.3 mi in
|
~4m
Njtp South: Trenton
2.6 mi in
|
~5m
Rutgers University
18.8 mi in
|
~24m
Trenton
19.5 mi in
|
~26m
About the Cities
Starting in Elizabeth, NJ
Full guide →Elizabeth is the fourth largest city 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 59m. Total distance: 40.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 19.5 miles on US 1. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.08 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 Lawrence, 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 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Gateway National Recreation Area and Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park (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 Lawrence, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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