Origin
Buena, NJ
Evening in Buena on Tuesday
Local time
7:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Buena, NJ to Union City, NJ
Data updated 1 hour ago
Drive Time
2h 21m
Distance
108.4 mi
174 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 12m
★
6 AM
2h 22m
8 AM
2h 41m
10 AM
2h 28m
12 PM
2h 27m
3 PM
2h 29m
5 PM
2h 40m
8 PM
2h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Buena, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Union City, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Buena, NJ to Union City, NJ covers 108.4 miles and takes about 2h 21m 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, Trenton Road, US 206 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 51.7 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.97 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.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
54.2 miles from Buena, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 2h 21m highway drive covering 108.4 miles, with most of the trip on New Jersey Turnpike and Trenton Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 51.7 miles on New Jersey Turnpike.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
New Jersey Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 51.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and Trenton Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 29.5 miles in near US 206.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 108.4 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 29.5 miles (US 206): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
29.5 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
US 206
Enter roundabout onto US 206 toward US 206 North: Trenton, New York
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 206 North: Trenton, New York
6
46.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
6
47.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
6
99.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m in
|
NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
105.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m in
Take the exit toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 16E
Toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Buena, NJ and Union City, NJ, road signs point toward New York, Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike and Njtp North: New York City.
New York
29.5 mi in
|
~39m
|
via US 206
Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
46.1 mi in
|
~1h
Njtp North: New York City
46.7 mi in
|
~1h 2m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike | 51.7 mi | 1h 1m |
| Trenton Road | 17.6 mi | 23m |
| US 206 | 16.5 mi | 20m |
| New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| 12th Street | 6.1 mi | 7m |
| Buena-Hammonton Road | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| Bellevue Avenue | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Blue Anchor Road | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 51.7 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buena, NJ and Union City, NJ.
1
Start on this road
213 ft
·
20 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
408 ft
·
32 sec
3
At end of road, turn right onto NJ 54
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Blue Anchor Road
4
Continue on NJ 54
0.7 mi
·
52 sec
·
Hammonton Road
5
Continue on NJ 54
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Buena-Hammonton Road
6
Continue on NJ 54
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
12th Street
7
Continue on NJ 54
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
Route 54 North
8
Continue on NJ 54
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
12th Street
9
Continue on NJ 54
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Bellevue Avenue
10
Turn right onto NJ 54
501 ft
·
8 sec
·
NJ 54
11
Continue on US 206
18 mi
·
23 min
·
Trenton Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Enter roundabout onto US 206
498 ft
·
6 sec
·
US 206
Toward US 206 North: Trenton, New York
13
Continue on US 206
7.6 mi
·
10 min
·
US 206
Toward US 206 North: Trenton, New York
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 206
8.8 mi
·
10 min
·
US 206
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 Toll, NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
18
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
52 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
19
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 16E
Toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on NJ 495
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
·
NJ 495
22
Take the exit
263 ft
·
6 sec
Toward Kennedy Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
23
Continue on 30th Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
30th Street
24
Turn left onto CR 501
296 ft
·
16 sec
·
John F Kennedy Boulevard
25
Continue on CR 501
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
John F. Kennedy Boulevard
26
Turn right onto 47th Street
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
47th Street
27
At end of road, turn right onto Bergenline Avenue
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Bergenline Avenue
28
Turn right onto 45th Street
64 ft
·
2 sec
·
45th Street
29
Arrive at destination
45th Street
Trip Plan
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 54.2 miles from Buena, NJ, or about 1h 13m 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 80 miles or 1h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.2 miles or 1h 13m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Union City, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Buena, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Buena, NJ
This is one driving day of about 108.4 miles and 2h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Buena, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on New Jersey Turnpike for about 51.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 54.2 mi from Buena, NJ · 1h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
54 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 54.2 miles from Buena, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Union City, NJ
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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Union City, NJ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.97 one way
$35.94 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $19.68 | $39.37 |
| premium | $4.93 | $21.02 | $42.05 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.93 | $47.87 |
Estimated Tolls: $8.11
New Jersey Turnpike
(57.9 mi)
$8.11
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
$18
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.5 | 0 | $11.38 | $5.20 |
| Efficient EV | 27.1 | 0 | $9.49 | $4.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43.4 | 0 | $15.18 | $6.94 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% 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
Union City, NJ
Evening in Union City on Tuesday
Local time
7:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°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
24 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 21m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Buena, NJ to Union City, NJ covers 108.4 miles and takes about 2h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New Jersey Turnpike, Trenton Road, US 206. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 54.2 miles from Buena, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.97 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 108.4 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 29.5 miles (US 206): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Buena, NJ and Union City, NJ, road signs point toward New York, Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike and Njtp North: New York City.
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