Origin
Linden, NJ
Evening in Linden on Sunday
Local time
7:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Linden, NJ to Union City, NJ
Drive Time
29m
Distance
18.5 mi
30 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 27m
★
6 AM
0h 29m
8 AM
0h 34m
10 AM
0h 31m
12 PM
0h 31m
3 PM
0h 31m
5 PM
0h 34m
8 PM
0h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Linden, NJ
Brendon Spring
Union City, NJ
Dajana Blakcori
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick commute or transit between Linden and Union City, expect a straightforward 18.5-mile journey that typically takes about 29 minutes. This route is designed for efficiency, relying heavily on the New Jersey Turnpike and the Eastern Spur to connect these two Northeast municipalities. Because the duration is so brief, you can easily complete this drive in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Budgeting about $3 for fuel should be sufficient for the trip. It is a highly practical, no-nonsense path that prioritizes speed over leisure, making it ideal for those who simply need to get from point A to point B within New Jersey.
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
9.3 miles from Linden, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 14m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a high-speed, highway-focused experience, as roughly 73% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on major roadways. You will navigate a mix of East Edgar Road and the New Jersey Turnpike system, which keeps the flow consistent and fast. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 6.3-mile run along the New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur. Because this is primarily an interstate-heavy route, the drive feels utilitarian and focused rather than leisurely. Prepare for a steady, rhythmic pace as you transition between these major arteries on your way toward Union City.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur is the longest continuous segment at about 6.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur and New Jersey Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in near I 278.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 18.5 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 1.5 miles (I 278): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
1.5 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 278
Keep slight right at fork onto I 278 toward Goethals Bridge, Staten Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Goethals Bridge, Staten Island
6
2.5 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the exit toward I 95 Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
8
2.9 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North, NJTP North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North
6
3.3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
7
15.6 mi into trip
|
~22m 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 Along This Route
Between Linden, NJ and Union City, NJ, road signs point toward Staten Island and Njtp North.
Staten Island
1.5 mi in
|
~3m
|
via I 278
Njtp North
2.9 mi in
|
~5m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur | 6.3 mi | 8m |
| New Jersey Turnpike | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| East Edgar Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| I 278 | 1 mi | 1m |
| John F. Kennedy Boulevard | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| NJ 495 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| 30th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Bergenline Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
— 6.3 mi, about 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Linden, NJ and Union City, NJ.
1
Start on West 12th Street
268 ft
·
13 sec
·
West 12th Street
2
Turn right onto South Stiles Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
South Stiles Street
3
Turn right onto US 1; US 9
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
East Edgar Road
Use the right lane.
4
Keep slight right at fork onto I 278
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 278
Toward Goethals Bridge, Staten Island
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 278
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
I 278
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 95 Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North
Use the none lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
Use the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP
6.3 mi
·
8 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 16E
Toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on NJ 495
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
·
NJ 495
Use the none lane.
13
Take the exit
263 ft
·
6 sec
Toward Kennedy Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
14
Continue on 30th Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
30th Street
15
Turn left onto CR 501
296 ft
·
16 sec
·
John F Kennedy Boulevard
16
Continue on CR 501
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Use the none lane.
17
Turn right onto 47th Street
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
47th Street
18
At end of road, turn right onto Bergenline Avenue
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Bergenline Avenue
19
Turn right onto 45th Street
64 ft
·
2 sec
·
45th Street
20
Arrive at destination
45th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 29-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though traffic patterns on the New Jersey Turnpike can fluctuate. There are no planned stops on this route, so ensure you have enough fuel before you head out to cover the estimated $3 cost. Because the entire drive is only 18.5 miles, you do not need to worry about pacing or rest breaks. My best advice for this specific route is to keep a close eye on lane signage as you transition onto the Eastern Spur, as the high highway percentage means you will be moving at speed through complex interchanges.
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 9.3 miles from Linden, NJ, or about 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 6.3 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 18.5 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 9.3 miles or 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 23m
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 Linden, 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 Linden, NJ
This is one driving day of about 18.5 miles and 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Linden, 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 Eastern Spur for about 6.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 9.3 mi from Linden, NJ · 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
9 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 18.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 9.3 miles from Linden, 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
$3.06 one way
$6.12 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $3.35 | $6.70 |
| premium | $4.92 | $3.58 | $7.17 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $4.11 | $8.22 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.68
New Jersey Turnpike
(12 mi)
$1.68
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
$3
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.6 | 0 | $1.94 | $0.89 |
| Efficient EV | 4.6 | 0 | $1.62 | $0.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.4 | 0 | $2.59 | $1.18 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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
Evening in Union City on Sunday
Local time
7:11 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
2 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
29m 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 Linden, NJ to Union City, NJ covers 18.5 miles and takes about 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur, New Jersey Turnpike, East Edgar Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 9.3 miles from Linden, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.06 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 14 significant decision points across 18.5 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 1.5 miles (I 278): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Linden, NJ and Union City, NJ, road signs point toward Staten Island and Njtp North.
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