Origin
Franklin, NJ
Afternoon in Franklin on Thursday
Local time
4:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Franklin, NJ to Union City, NJ
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
55m
Distance
43.9 mi
71 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 51m
★
6 AM
0h 55m
8 AM
1h 4m
10 AM
0h 59m
12 PM
0h 58m
3 PM
0h 59m
5 PM
1h 4m
8 PM
0h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Franklin, NJ
Matt Weissinger
Union City, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Franklin, NJ to Union City, NJ covers 43.9 miles and takes about 55m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on NJ 23, NJ 3, US 46 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 27.3 miles on NJ 23. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.28 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 55m. Total distance: 43.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 55m highway drive covering 43.9 miles, with most of the trip on NJ 23 and NJ 3. The longest continuous stretch is about 27.3 miles on NJ 23.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
NJ 23 is the longest continuous segment at about 27.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NJ 23 and NJ 3. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near NJ 23; CR 517.
Driving Effort
10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 13 decision points packed into just 43.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 55m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (NJ 23; CR 517): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.2 miles (NJ 23): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
NJ 23; CR 517
Turn right onto NJ 23; CR 517
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
21.2 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
NJ 23
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 23
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
27.4 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East, US 46 East: New York, Clifton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 80 East, US 46 East: New York, Clifton
7
42 mi into trip
|
~50m in
Take the exit toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel, Kennedy Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel, Kennedy Bou...
7
42.5 mi into trip
|
~51m in
Take the exit toward Kennedy Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Kennedy Boulevard
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Franklin, NJ to Union City, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Clifton along the way.
Clifton
27.4 mi in
|
~33m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NJ 23 | 27.3 mi | 33m |
| NJ 3 | 10.5 mi | 11m |
| US 46 | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| John F. Kennedy Boulevard | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| NJ 495 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 30th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Bergenline Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| 47th Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
NJ 23
— 27.3 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, NJ and Union City, NJ.
1
Start on High Street
218 ft
·
12 sec
·
High Street
2
Turn right onto NJ 23; CR 517
21 mi
·
26 min
·
NJ 23; CR 517
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 23
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
NJ 23
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
297 ft
·
7 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 46 East: New York, Clifton
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward US 46 East: Clifton
6
Merge onto US 46
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
US 46
7
Continue on US 46
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 46
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Turn slight left onto NJ 3
11 mi
·
11 min
·
NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel, Kennedy Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Merge onto NJ 495
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
NJ 495
11
Take the exit
263 ft
·
6 sec
Toward Kennedy Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
12
Continue on 30th Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
30th Street
13
Turn left onto CR 501
296 ft
·
16 sec
·
John F Kennedy Boulevard
14
Continue on CR 501
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
John F. Kennedy Boulevard
15
Turn right onto 47th Street
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
47th Street
16
At end of road, turn right onto Bergenline Avenue
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Bergenline Avenue
17
Turn right onto 45th Street
64 ft
·
2 sec
·
45th Street
18
Arrive at destination
45th Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21.9 mi from Franklin, NJ · 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 21.9 miles from Franklin, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Union City, NJ
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Union City, NJ if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.28 one way
$14.56 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $7.97 | $15.94 |
| premium | $4.93 | $8.51 | $17.03 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.69 | $19.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.2 | 0 | $4.61 | $2.11 |
| Efficient EV | 11 | 0 | $3.84 | $1.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.6 | 0 | $6.15 | $2.81 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Union City, NJ
Afternoon in Union City on Thursday
Local time
4:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Ramapo, NY
22 mi in
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
17 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
55m 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 Franklin, NJ to Union City, NJ covers 43.9 miles and takes about 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are NJ 23, NJ 3, US 46. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 21.9 miles from Franklin, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.28 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 short but busy drive. With 13 decision points packed into just 43.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 55m.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (NJ 23; CR 517): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.2 miles (NJ 23): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Franklin, NJ to Union City, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Clifton along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area. There are 5 parks within detour distance of this route.
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