Spanning 70.7 miles, your trip from Waretown to Elizabeth is a straightforward journey through New Jersey’s Northeast corridor. You should anticipate a driving time of approximately 1 hour and 33 minutes, making this an ideal one-day excursion that does not require an overnight stay. With a modest fuel budget of $12, this route is highly efficient for those looking to travel between these two points without significant overhead. Because the entire journey remains within the Northeast region and the state of New Jersey, you will experience a consistent environment throughout the drive. Whether you are heading north for business or a quick visit, this trip is designed for speed and reliability rather than a leisurely pace.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.3 miles from Waretown, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
51.7 mi
1h 1m
US 9
12.7 mi
20m
Lacey Road
2.2 mi
4m
Carlton Street
1.5 mi
2m
East Edgar Road
0.7 mi
1m
East Jersey Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Bryant Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 51.7 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waretown, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ.
1
Start on CR 612
92 ft·5 sec·Bryant Road
2
Turn right onto US 9
3.6 mi·5 min·US 9
3
Turn left onto CR 614
2.2 mi·4 min·Lacey Road
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·28 sec
Toward GSP Toll North
5
Merge onto GSP
28 mi·33 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·31 sec
7
Continue on GSP
22 mi·26 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto GSP
1.2 mi·2 min·Garden State Parkway
Exit 127Toward GSP North, US 9 North, NJ 440: Woodbridge, Staten IslandUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 127Toward US 9 North, I 287, NJ 440: Woodbridge, Staten IslandUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward US 9 North: WoodbridgeUse the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto US 9
9.2 mi·14 min·US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9
0.7 mi·1 min·East Edgar Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 1; US 9
1.5 mi·2 min·Carlton Street
14
Turn right
60 ft·6 sec
15
Turn right
383 ft·28 sec
16
Turn right
278 ft·22 sec
17
Turn right onto East Jersey Street
0.3 mi·50 sec·East Jersey Street
18
Turn right
34 ft·2 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 1 hour and 33 minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule, though avoiding peak rush hour traffic is always a smart move. Because the route consists of zero planned stops, you should fuel up in Waretown before you merge onto the Garden State Parkway to ensure you reach Elizabeth without interruption. Keep in mind that the 51.7-mile stretch on the Parkway is the core of your trip, so stay alert for changing traffic patterns as you move toward the more densely populated northern areas of the state. Use the time saved by the direct nature of this route to focus on your arrival in Elizabeth rather than worrying about mid-trip logistics.
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 35.3 miles from Waretown, NJ, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.7 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 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.3 miles or 44m 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 15m
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 Waretown, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Waretown, NJ
This is one driving day of about 70.7 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Waretown, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 51.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.1 and 68 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
6.1 mi into trip|~9m in|GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
57 mi into trip|~1h 10m in|GSP / Garden State Parkway
Take the exit onto GSP / Garden State Parkway toward GSP North, US 9 North, NJ 440: Woodbridge, 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 127
Toward GSP North, US 9 North, NJ 440: Woodbridg...
9
58.2 mi into trip|~1h 12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 9 North, I 287, NJ 440: Woodbridge, Staten Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 127
Toward US 9 North, I 287, NJ 440: Woodbridge, S...
7
58.5 mi into trip|~1h 12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 9 North: Woodbridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 9 North: Woodbridge
6
68 mi into trip|~1h 28m in|US 1; US 9 / East Edgar Road
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9 / East Edgar Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.72 one way
$23.44 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$12.84
$25.67
premium
$4.93
$13.71
$27.42
diesel
$5.61
$15.61
$31.22
Estimated Tolls: $3.10
Garden State Parkway
(51.7 mi)$3.10
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
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.2
0
$7.42
$3.39
Efficient EV
17.7
0
$6.19
$2.83
EV Truck/SUV
28.3
0
$9.90
$4.52
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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Waretown, NJ
Afternoon
in Waretown on Sunday
Local time
12:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Elizabeth, NJ
Afternoon
in Elizabeth on Sunday
Local time
12:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
2 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 33m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive is defined by its efficiency, with 91% of the route spent on high-speed thoroughfares. You will rely heavily on the Garden State Parkway, which accounts for a significant 51.7-mile stretch, providing a consistent pace for the majority of your travel. While you will navigate sections of US 9 and Lacey Road to round out the 70.7-mile total, the experience is primarily a straightforward interstate commute. Expect a functional, no-nonsense road personality that prioritizes getting you to your destination quickly. The transition from the more coastal feel of Waretown to the urban landscape of Elizabeth happens steadily as you maintain highway speeds.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51.7 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and US 9. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.1 miles in near GSP / Garden State Parkway.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70.7 miles you will encounter 15 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 6.1 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 57 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.2 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.
Between Waretown, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp Toll North, Gsp North and Staten Island.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 70.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51.7 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.10 in tolls one way, starting with Garden State Parkway. 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 6.1 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 57 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Elizabeth, NJ before heading back.
