Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
28m
Distance
14.6 mi
23 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elizabeth, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
South Plainfield, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
This straightforward 14.6-mile drive from Elizabeth, NJ, to South Plainfield, NJ, is a quick 28-minute trip that makes for an easy day trip. Expect a fuel cost of around $2 for this short journey within the Northeast region. The route primarily utilizes local roads, offering a practical way to navigate between these two New Jersey communities. With no recommended stops, this drive is perfect for those who prefer to get directly to their destination without significant detours. It's a no-fuss option for local travel.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Inman Avenue | 5.3 mi | 10m |
| US 1 | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| West Saint Georges Avenue | 2.3 mi | 5m |
| South Stiles Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Maple Avenue | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Old Raritan Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Front Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Carlton Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabeth, NJ and South Plainfield, NJ.
Start on this road
Turn left onto East Jersey Street
Turn right onto US 1; US 9
Continue on US Route 1/9 Southbound
Continue on US 1; US 9
Turn right onto CR 615
Turn left onto NJ 27
Turn right onto CR 602
At end of road, turn left onto CR 602
Continue on CR 602
Continue on CR 602
Turn left onto Front Street
Turn right onto South Plainfield Avenue
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 14.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto East Jersey Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto NJ 27 / West Saint Georges Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto CR 602 / West Inman Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto Front Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto South Plainfield Avenue
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$2.42 one way
$4.84 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $2.65 | $5.30 |
| premium | $4.93 | $2.83 | $5.66 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.22 | $6.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$2
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.4 | 0 | $1.53 | $0.70 |
| Efficient EV | 3.7 | 0 | $1.28 | $0.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.8 | 0 | $2.04 | $0.93 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Elizabeth on Sunday
Local time
10:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Partly Sunny
Destination
Morning in South Plainfield on Sunday
Local time
10:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This drive is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll be navigating through neighborhoods and city streets rather than open highways. Only 23% of the route is on highways, so be prepared for frequent turns and traffic lights. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 5.3 miles on West Inman Avenue. You'll be traveling on main roads like West Inman Avenue, US 1, and West Saint Georges Avenue, which will likely have varying speed limits and local traffic conditions throughout the 28-minute journey.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Jersey Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 14.6 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Jersey Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.1 miles (NJ 27 / West Saint Georges Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles (CR 602 / West Inman Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Elizabeth is the fourth largest city in New Jersey.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 28m. Total distance: 14.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (23%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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