Origin
Little Falls, NJ
Afternoon in Little Falls on Friday
Local time
3:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Little Falls, 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
23m
Distance
15.4 mi
25 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 21m
★
6 AM
0h 23m
8 AM
0h 28m
10 AM
0h 25m
12 PM
0h 24m
3 PM
0h 25m
5 PM
0h 27m
8 PM
0h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Little Falls, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Union, NJ
Arjun Gheewala
Trip Overview
Little Falls to Union is 15.4 miles and takes about 23 minutes via Garden State Parkway, NJ 3, and US 46, with a fuel budget near $3 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive entirely within New Jersey, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Expect a highway-focused experience that's ideal for a quick trip when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently. Since it's a short distance, this route is perfect for a same-day journey with minimal time commitment. Consider this drive when you prioritize speed and directness over a leisurely pace.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 23m. Total distance: 15.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is heavily highway-focused, with 89% of the drive taking place on major roads. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Garden State Parkway, including an uninterrupted stretch of 11.8 miles. The experience is largely characterized by the efficiency of the highway system, moving you quickly between locations. Expect a functional drive where the primary goal is covering distance rather than enjoying the scenery. The transition between Garden State Parkway, NJ 3, and US 46 is seamless, maintaining a consistent highway feel throughout.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Garden State Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 11.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and NJ 3. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near US 46.
Driving Effort
7/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 8 decision points packed into just 15.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 23m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (US 46): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles (ramp to GSP Southbound): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 46
Merge onto US 46
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
2.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
ramp to GSP Southbound
Take the exit onto ramp to GSP Southbound toward GSP Toll South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward GSP Toll South
5
3 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
14.8 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward Vauxhall Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 141
Toward Vauxhall Road
5
15 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
CR 630 / Vauxhall Road
Turn right onto CR 630 / Vauxhall Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
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 Little Falls, NJ to Union, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Gsp Toll South along the way.
Gsp Toll South
2.7 mi in
|
~4m
|
via ramp to GSP Southbound
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 11.8 mi | 16m |
| NJ 3 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| US 46 | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Vauxhall Road | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| ramp to GSP Southbound | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Notch Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Ridge Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Long Hill Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 11.8 mi, about 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Little Falls, NJ and Union, NJ.
1
Start on (641)
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Ridge Road
2
Continue on CR 631
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Long Hill Road
3
Turn straight
300 ft
·
13 sec
4
Turn straight onto CR 633
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Notch Road
5
Take the ramp
193 ft
·
5 sec
6
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
this road
7
Merge onto US 46
0.6 mi
·
42 sec
·
US 46
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Turn slight left onto NJ 3
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto ramp to GSP Southbound
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
ramp to GSP Southbound
Toward GSP Toll South
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto GSP
12 mi
·
16 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 141
Toward Vauxhall Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn right onto CR 630
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Vauxhall Road
Use the right lane.
13
Turn right onto Harding Avenue
243 ft
·
10 sec
·
Harding Avenue
14
Arrive at destination
Harding Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.55 one way
$5.11 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $2.80 | $5.59 |
| premium | $4.93 | $2.99 | $5.97 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.40 | $6.80 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.71
Garden State Parkway
(11.8 mi)
$0.71
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Tolls
$1
Total
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.6 | 0 | $1.62 | $0.74 |
| Efficient EV | 3.9 | 0 | $1.35 | $0.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.2 | 0 | $2.16 | $0.99 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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
Afternoon in Union on Friday
Local time
3:11 PM
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
21 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
23m 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 Little Falls, NJ to Union, NJ covers 15.4 miles and takes about 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, 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 7.7 miles from Little Falls, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.55 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 8 decision points packed into just 15.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 23m.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (US 46): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles (ramp to GSP Southbound): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Little Falls, NJ to Union, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Gsp Toll South along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Morristown 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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