Origin
Medford Lakes, NJ
Morning in Medford Lakes on Sunday
Local time
8:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Medford Lakes, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 35m
Distance
71.7 mi
115 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 28m
★
6 AM
1h 35m
8 AM
1h 50m
10 AM
1h 41m
12 PM
1h 39m
3 PM
1h 41m
5 PM
1h 49m
8 PM
1h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Medford Lakes, NJ
David Kanigan
Elizabeth, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 71.7-mile drive from Medford Lakes, NJ, to Elizabeth, NJ, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes. Primarily utilizing the New Jersey Turnpike, with brief sections on Main Street and Mount Holly Bypass, this route offers a straightforward journey within the Northeast region. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, it's an economical option for a day trip. The route is largely highway-focused, making it a convenient option for those looking to cover ground efficiently without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.9 miles from Medford Lakes, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike | 53.9 mi | 1h 2m |
| Main Street | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Mount Holly Bypass | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| Stokes Road | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Medford-Mount Holly Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Burlington-Mount Holly Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| US 1 | 1 mi | 1m |
| South Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 53.9 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Medford Lakes, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ.
1
Start on Indian Trail
428 ft
·
20 sec
·
Indian Trail
2
Turn right onto Big Look Trail
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
Big Look Trail
3
At end of road, turn left onto Bowker Road
357 ft
·
17 sec
·
Bowker Road
4
Turn right onto Mohawk Trail
0.2 mi
·
54 sec
·
Mohawk Trail
5
At end of road, turn left onto CR 541
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Stokes Road
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on CR 541
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
7
Continue on CR 541
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Medford-Mount Holly Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on CR 541
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Main Street
9
Turn left onto CR 541
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Mount Holly Bypass
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Continue on CR 541
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Mount Holly Avenue Bypass
11
Continue on CR 541
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Mount Holly Bypass
12
At end of road, turn left onto CR 541
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Burlington-Mount Holly Road
Use the left lane.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
Toward NJTP: Hancock Lane, All Turns
14
Turn left onto Hancock Lane
306 ft
·
6 sec
·
Hancock Lane
15
Continue on NJ Turnpike Exit 5
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
NJ Turnpike Exit 5
Toward NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
Toward NJTP North: New York
17
Merge onto NJTP
5.1 mi
·
5 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
18
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP
49 mi
·
56 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
1.4 mi
·
2 min
Exit 13
Toward I 278: Elizabeth, Staten Island
Use the slight right lane.
20
Turn straight
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 278 West, NJ 439: Elizabeth, Linden
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
35 sec
Toward NJ 439: Elizabeth
22
Continue on NJ 439
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Bayway
23
Turn right onto CR 623
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
·
South Broad Street
24
Turn right onto US 1; US 9
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 1; US 9
25
Turn right
60 ft
·
6 sec
26
Turn right
383 ft
·
28 sec
27
Turn right
278 ft
·
22 sec
28
Turn right onto East Jersey Street
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
East Jersey Street
29
Turn right
34 ft
·
2 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 35 minutes, this drive from Medford Lakes to Elizabeth offers plenty of flexibility. You can easily complete it in one day, so consider departing early to avoid potential traffic, especially if your route involves any time on Main Street. The longest stretch is 53.9 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike, so plan for a fuel stop before you begin or be aware of service areas along the turnpike if needed. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, it's a budget-friendly excursion.
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 35.9 miles from Medford Lakes, NJ, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.9 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 16 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.9 miles or 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 18m
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 Medford Lakes, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Medford Lakes, NJ
This is one driving day of about 71.7 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Medford Lakes, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New Jersey Turnpike for about 53.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35.9 miles from Medford Lakes, 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 215 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 67.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.5 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
CR 541 / Stokes Road
At end of road, turn left onto CR 541 / Stokes Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
8.7 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
CR 541 / Mount Holly Bypass
Turn left onto CR 541 / Mount Holly Bypass
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
13.5 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJTP North: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward NJTP North: New York
6
18.9 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
67.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward I 278: Elizabeth, Staten Island
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 13
Toward I 278: Elizabeth, Staten Island
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.89 one way
$23.77 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $13.02 | $26.04 |
| premium | $4.93 | $13.91 | $27.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.83 | $31.66 |
Estimated Tolls: $7.58
New Jersey Turnpike
(53.9 mi)
$7.55
Nj Turnpike
(0.2 mi)
$0.03
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.5 | 0 | $7.53 | $3.44 |
| Efficient EV | 17.9 | 0 | $6.27 | $2.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.7 | 0 | $10.04 | $4.59 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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
Elizabeth, NJ
Morning in Elizabeth on Sunday
Local time
8:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Bristol, PA
36 mi in
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
1 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
1h 35m 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?
Expect a highway-focused experience on this 71.7-mile trip, with 77% of the drive taking place on major roadways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 53.9 miles along the New Jersey Turnpike, offering a consistent pace. While the majority of the route is on high-speed roads, you'll transition onto Main Street and Mount Holly Bypass, which may offer a change in scenery and speed. This drive is characterized by its efficiency and the dominance of highway driving.
77% 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: 53.9 mi on New Jersey Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and Main Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near CR 541 / Stokes Road.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.7 miles you will encounter 21 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: at 0.5 miles (CR 541 / Stokes Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles (CR 541 / Mount Holly Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 Medford Lakes, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ, road signs point toward All Turns, Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York and Staten Island.
All Turns
13.1 mi in
|
~22m
Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
13.3 mi in
|
~22m
|
via NJ Turnpike Exit 5
Njtp North: New York
13.5 mi in
|
~23m
Staten Island
67.7 mi in
|
~1h 26m
About the Cities
Arriving 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 1h 35m. Total distance: 71.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 53.9 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $7.58 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 Elizabeth, 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 0.5 miles (CR 541 / Stokes Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles (CR 541 / Mount Holly Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Elizabeth, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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