Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
29m
Distance
16.4 mi
26 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Plainfield, NJ
Thomas Parker
If you are looking to get from Newark to Plainfield, this 16.4-mile journey is a straightforward transit across the Northeast region of New Jersey. Expect the drive to take roughly 29 minutes under normal conditions, making it an ideal candidate for a simple day trip that requires no overnight stay. With a fuel budget of just $3, this is a highly economical route for commuters or weekend travelers. You will navigate a mix of thoroughfares, including US 22, Springfield Avenue, and the Garden State Parkway. Because the distance is so short, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule, allowing you to complete the trip quickly and efficiently.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 22 | 9.3 mi | 15m |
| Springfield Avenue | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| Garden State Parkway | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Leland Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Ball Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Market Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Lyons Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Union Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Newark, NJ and Plainfield, NJ.
Start on CR 510
Turn left onto CR 510; CR 603
Turn left onto Washington Avenue
Continue on Ball Street
Turn right onto CR 602
Turn left onto Union Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto GSP
Take the exit
Merge onto US 22
Take the exit
Turn left
Turn straight onto CR 642
Turn left onto Leland Avenue
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.9 and 5.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto Washington Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto Union Avenue
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp toward GSP South: Garden State Parkway South
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 22, NJ 82 East: Elizabeth, Somerville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$2.72 one way
$5.44 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $2.98 | $5.96 |
| premium | $4.93 | $3.18 | $6.36 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.62 | $7.24 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.12
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Tolls
$0
Total
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.9 | 0 | $1.72 | $0.79 |
| Efficient EV | 4.1 | 0 | $1.43 | $0.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.6 | 0 | $2.30 | $1.05 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (67% 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
Late night in Newark on Sunday
Local time
3:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Late night in Plainfield on Sunday
Local time
3:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Sunny
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 trip is heavily highway-focused, with 69% of your time spent on major roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm on US 22, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of the drive at 9.3 miles. While the route transitions from the dense infrastructure of Newark onto these faster highway corridors, you should prepare for a consistent, functional driving experience rather than a scenic tour. The transition between Springfield Avenue and the highway segments defines the personality of this drive, moving you rapidly through the region. Staying focused on the flow of traffic is key, as the high percentage of highway usage keeps the pace brisk throughout the 29-minute duration.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 22 and Springfield Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.9 miles in near Washington Avenue.
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 11 decision points packed into just 16.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 29m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.9 miles (Washington Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles (Union Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.7 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Newark, NJ and Plainfield, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp South: Garden State Parkway South and Somerville.
Gsp South: Garden State Parkway South
Somerville
Newark is New Jersey's largest city and second largest in Metro New York. Although one of the great historic cities of the Northeast and the most culture-rich city in the state, Newark is often overlooked in favor of Goliath-like Manhattan and towns along the Hudson River, such as Jersey City and Hoboken. While no longer the industrial powerhouse it once was, Newark remains one of America's major shipping, rail, and air hubs. Public transportation is abundant, making it easy to get to, from, and around the city. Newark has been economically disadvantaged for some time, and suffers from a bad reputation, often informed by negative stereotyping. Thanks in large part to a nationally high-profile mayor (Cory Booker, now a U.S.
Union County is part of the Gateway region of New Jersey that is covered by sprawling metropolitan areas of New York City.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 29m. Total distance: 16.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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