Pier i Cafe
Near the end, short detour
New York, NY
Hours: 11:30 am–8 pm
+12123624450
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 45m
Distance
71.5 mi
115 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
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.
Browns Mills, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Union City, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Browns Mills, NJ to Union City, NJ covers 71.5 miles and takes about 1h 45m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on New Jersey Turnpike, New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur, Browns Mills Cookstown Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 37.8 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.85 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.7 miles from Browns Mills, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 45m. Total distance: 71.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (62%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 1h 45m highway drive covering 71.5 miles, with most of the trip on New Jersey Turnpike and New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur. The longest continuous stretch is about 37.8 miles on New Jersey Turnpike.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur. You will hit about 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR 545 / Trenton Road.
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 71.5 miles you will encounter 19 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 (CR 545 / Trenton Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (CR 667 / Broadway Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 62.4 miles (NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto CR 545 / Trenton Road
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto CR 667 / Broadway Street
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Kennedy Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike | 37.8 mi | 45m |
| New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| Browns Mills Cookstown Road | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| Sharon Station Road | 4 mi | 8m |
| Old York Road | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| Holmes Mill Road | 2.9 mi | 5m |
| Evergreen Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Cookstown-New Egypt Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Browns Mills, NJ and Union City, NJ.
Start on this road
Turn right onto CR 545
Turn right onto CR 667
Continue on CR 667
Turn right onto CR 667
Turn left onto CR 667
Continue on CR 667
Continue on CR 616
Continue on CR 616
Continue on CR 616
Continue on CR 528
Turn left onto CR 8
Continue on CR 27
Turn right onto CR 27
Turn left onto CR 539
Enter roundabout onto CR 539 ALT
Continue on CR 539 ALT
Turn left onto Herbert Road
Turn right onto CR 539
Continue on CR 539
Turn slight right
Turn right onto NJ 33
Turn left onto I 95; NJTP
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP
Take the exit
Continue on NJ 495
Take the exit
Continue on 30th Street
Turn left onto CR 501
Continue on CR 501
Turn right onto 47th Street
At end of road, turn right onto Bergenline Avenue
Turn right onto 45th Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.7 miles or 58m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Union City, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Browns Mills, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Browns Mills, NJ
This is one driving day of about 71.5 miles and 1h 45m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 35.7 mi from Browns Mills, NJ · 58m into the drive
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.
A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 35.7 miles from Browns Mills, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Union City, NJ usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
New York, NY
Near the end, short detour
Hours: 11:30 am–8 pm
+12123624450
At Gio's Cafe
New Egypt, New Jersey
Buena Vista Restaurant & Bar
New York, New York
Top Coffee Stop
New York, New York
Near the end, short detour
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+12125642723
Near the end, short detour
New York, NY
Hours: 11:30 am–8 pm
+12123624450
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
New Egypt, New Jersey
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+16092862071
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
New York, New York
Hours: 3–11 pm
+12123885040
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
New York, New York
Hours: 8:30 am–10:30 pm
+12128737411
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
New York, New York
Hours: 4–11 pm
+12122650190
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Hoboken, New Jersey
Hours: 12 pm–12 am
+12017985898
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Dayton, New Jersey
Hours: 12–3 pm
+17323331199
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Hours: 10:30 am–12 pm
+19083544024
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
New York, New York
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+12125642723
Near the end, ~9 min detour
New York, New York
Hours: 7 am–6 pm
+15858883232
Visit websiteNear the end, ~9 min detour
New York, New York
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+12123651060
Visit websiteNear the end, ~9 min detour
New York, New York
Hours: 8 am–11 pm
+12122220683
Visit websiteNear the end, ~11 min detour
Long Island City, New York
Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm
+17187070554
Visit websiteNear the end, ~11 min detour
Long Island City, New York
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+19178326726
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Cranbury, NJ
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Edison, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
East Windsor, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Highland Park, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Edison, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18774943833
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Monroe Township, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Union City, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+12018664664
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Edison, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Secaucus, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+12019151388
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Woodbridge, New Jersey
Hours: 6 am–6 pm
+17327453900
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Newark, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+19732683500
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
New York, New York
+12126272020
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
North Bergen, New Jersey
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Union City, New Jersey
Hours: 11 am–8 pm
+12013485747
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Jersey City, New Jersey
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12016042702
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
New York, New York
+12126399675
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Regular Gas
$11.85 one way
$23.71 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $12.98 | $25.97 |
| premium | $4.93 | $13.87 | $27.73 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.79 | $31.57 |
Estimated Tolls: $6.17
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
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25 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 | $7.51 | $3.43 |
| Efficient EV | 17.9 | 0 | $6.26 | $2.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.6 | 0 | $10.01 | $4.58 |
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Browns Mills on Saturday
Local time
8:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Union City on Saturday
Local time
8:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
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
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
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.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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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