Origin
Elizabeth, NJ
Morning in Elizabeth on Tuesday
Local time
11:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Elizabeth, NJ to Somerville, 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
41m
Distance
28.9 mi
46 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 38m
★
6 AM
0h 42m
8 AM
0h 49m
10 AM
0h 44m
12 PM
0h 44m
3 PM
0h 45m
5 PM
0h 49m
8 PM
0h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elizabeth, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Somerville, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 28.9-mile drive from Elizabeth, NJ, to Somerville, NJ, is designed for efficiency, taking approximately 41 minutes. With 92% of the journey on highways, it’s a quick trip that easily fits into a single day, requiring no overnight stays. You can expect a fuel cost of around $5 for this route. Primarily traveling within the Northeast region and staying within New Jersey, the drive offers a direct connection between these two points. It's a practical choice for those needing to get from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 287 | 13 mi | 15m |
| US 1 | 11.9 mi | 19m |
| US 22 | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| North Bridge Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Carlton Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East Jersey Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Grove Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Ivanhoe Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 287
— 13 mi, about 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabeth, NJ and Somerville, 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
Continue on US Route 1/9 Southbound
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Carlton Street
5
Continue on US 1; US 9
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
US 1; US 9
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Continue on US 1; US 9
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
US 1; US 9
7
Continue on US 1; US 9
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
US 1; US 9
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
US 1
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on US 1
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
Toward I 287 North: Morristown, Mahwah
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 287
13 mi
·
15 min
·
I 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 14B
Toward US 22 West: Clinton
Use the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto US 22
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
US 22
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Use the right lane.
15
Turn slight right onto Grove Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Grove Street
16
Turn slight right onto Ivanhoe Avenue
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Ivanhoe Avenue
17
Turn left onto North Bridge Street
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
North Bridge Street
18
Arrive at destination
North Bridge Street
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 8.5 and 28 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
8.5 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
US 1
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
12.4 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Take the exit toward I 287 North: 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.
Toward I 287 North: Morristown, Mahwah
5
12.8 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
I 287
Merge onto I 287
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
25.8 mi into trip
|
~36m in
Take the exit toward US 22 West: Clinton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 14B
Toward US 22 West: Clinton
6
28 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.79 one way
$9.58 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $5.25 | $10.50 |
| premium | $4.93 | $5.60 | $11.21 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.38 | $12.76 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.7 | 0 | $3.03 | $1.39 |
| Efficient EV | 7.2 | 0 | $2.53 | $1.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.6 | 0 | $4.05 | $1.85 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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
Somerville, NJ
Morning in Somerville on Tuesday
Local time
11:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°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
18 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
41m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 92% of the 28.9 miles taking place on major roads like I-287, US-1, and US-22. You'll experience a significant stretch of uninterrupted driving, with the longest segment covering 13 miles on I-287. Expect a consistent pace for most of your journey, allowing for efficient travel. The road's personality is one of directness and speed, prioritizing getting you to your destination promptly over leisurely sightseeing.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 13 mi on I 287.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 287 and US 1. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.5 miles in near US 1.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 9 decision points packed into just 28.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 41m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 8.5 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.8 miles (I 287): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
On the drive from Elizabeth, NJ to Somerville, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Mahwah along the way.
Mahwah
12.4 mi in
|
~20m
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
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 41m. Total distance: 28.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 13 miles on I 287. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Somerville, 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 8.5 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.8 miles (I 287): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Morristown 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 Somerville, 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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