Origin
Heathcote, NJ
Morning in Heathcote on Friday
Local time
10:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Heathcote, NJ to Union, NJ
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
46m
Distance
30.7 mi
49 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 43m
★
6 AM
0h 47m
8 AM
0h 55m
10 AM
0h 50m
12 PM
0h 49m
3 PM
0h 50m
5 PM
0h 54m
8 PM
0h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Heathcote, NJ
Alexa V. Mato
Union, NJ
Arjun Gheewala
Trip Overview
The drive from Heathcote, NJ to Union, NJ covers 30.7 miles and takes about 46m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 1, Garden State Parkway, Morris Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 18.1 miles on US 1. At current regular gas prices, budget about $5.09 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 46m. Total distance: 30.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 46m highway drive covering 30.7 miles, with most of the trip on US 1 and Garden State Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 18.1 miles on US 1.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 1 is the longest continuous segment at about 18.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 1 and Garden State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.1 miles in near US 1.
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 15 decision points packed into just 30.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 46m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 8.1 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.2 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.3 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
8.1 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
US 1
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
8.2 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
US 1
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1 toward Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|New...
7
8.3 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
US 1
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
29.4 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Take the exit toward US 22, NJ 82: Hillside
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 140
Toward US 22, NJ 82: Hillside
6
29.7 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Take the exit toward NJ 82: Morris Avenue, Kean University, Elizabeth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NJ 82: Morris Avenue, Kean University, E...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Heathcote, NJ and Union, NJ, road signs point toward Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|Newark and New Brunswick.
Newark|Newark
8.2 mi in
|
~12m
|
via US 1
Camden
8.2 mi in
|
~12m
|
via US 1
New Brunswick|Newark
8.2 mi in
|
~12m
|
via US 1
New Brunswick
8.2 mi in
|
~12m
|
via US 1
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 1 | 18.1 mi | 26m |
| Garden State Parkway | 10.5 mi | 14m |
| Morris Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Promenade Boulevard | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Harding Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Princeton Gate Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| US 22 | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Vauxhall Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 1
— 18.1 mi, about 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Heathcote, NJ and Union, NJ.
1
Start on Princeton Gate Boulevard
247 ft
·
10 sec
·
Princeton Gate Boulevard
2
Turn left onto CR 522
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Promenade Boulevard
3
Turn left onto US 1
7.8 mi
·
11 min
·
US 1
4
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
504 ft
·
7 sec
·
US 1
Toward Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
366 ft
·
5 sec
·
US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
US 1
8
Continue on US 1
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 1
9
Continue on US 1
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 1
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 1
Use the right lane.
11
Continue on US 1
5.9 mi
·
9 min
·
US 1
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward GSP Toll North: Garden State Parkway
13
Merge onto GSP
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 140
Toward US 22, NJ 82: Hillside
Use the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto US 22
158 ft
·
3 sec
·
US 22
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward NJ 82: Morris Avenue, Kean University, Elizabeth
17
Turn slight right onto NJ 82
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Morris Avenue
18
Turn slight right
507 ft
·
44 sec
19
Turn left onto NJ 82
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Morris Avenue
20
Turn right onto Harding Avenue
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
Harding Avenue
21
Turn right onto CR 630
32 ft
·
4 sec
·
Vauxhall Road
22
Turn left onto Harding Avenue
243 ft
·
10 sec
·
Harding Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
Harding Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.4 mi from Heathcote, NJ · 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
15 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 30.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 15.4 miles from Heathcote, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Union, NJ
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Union, 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
$5.09 one way
$10.18 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $5.57 | $11.15 |
| premium | $4.93 | $5.95 | $11.91 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.78 | $13.56 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.63
Garden State Parkway
(10.5 mi)
$0.63
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Tolls
$1
Total
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.2 | 0 | $3.22 | $1.47 |
| Efficient EV | 7.7 | 0 | $2.69 | $1.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.30 | $1.96 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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, NJ
Morning in Union on Friday
Local time
10:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
3 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
46m 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 Heathcote, NJ to Union, NJ covers 30.7 miles and takes about 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 1, Garden State Parkway, Morris Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 15.4 miles from Heathcote, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.09 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 15 decision points packed into just 30.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 46m.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.1 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.2 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.3 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Heathcote, NJ and Union, NJ, road signs point toward Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|Newark and New Brunswick.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Morristown National Historical Park and Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
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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