Origin
Metuchen, NJ
Morning in Metuchen on Friday
Local time
10:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Metuchen, 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
22m
Distance
13.4 mi
22 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 21m
★
6 AM
0h 23m
8 AM
0h 27m
10 AM
0h 24m
12 PM
0h 24m
3 PM
0h 24m
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.
Metuchen, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Union, NJ
Arjun Gheewala
Trip Overview
Metuchen to Union is 13.4 miles and takes about 22 minutes via Garden State Parkway, Lincoln Highway, and Middlesex Avenue, with a fuel budget near $2 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This short hop stays within the Northeast region, specifically in New Jersey, making it a convenient local drive. The profile indicates a highway-focused experience, so expect to cover most of the distance on faster roads. Given its brevity, this route is perfect for a quick trip when you need to get from point A to point B without a significant time commitment.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 22m. Total distance: 13.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (67%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 67% of the journey on faster roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 9 miles on the Garden State Parkway, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the trip. While the primary roads include the Parkway, Lincoln Highway, and Middlesex Avenue, the overall character leans towards efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways. Expect a relatively straightforward driving experience, suitable for getting to your destination with minimal fuss.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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 9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Lincoln Highway. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 13.4 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 3.1 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
2.7 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward GSP Toll North
Navigation decision point
Toward GSP Toll North
5
3.1 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
12.1 mi into trip
|
~19m 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
4
12.3 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
US 22
Merge onto US 22
Merge point - match speed before joining
6
12.4 mi into trip
|
~19m 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 Metuchen, NJ and Union, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp Toll North, Kean University and Elizabeth.
Gsp Toll North
2.7 mi in
|
~5m
Kean University
12.4 mi in
|
~19m
Elizabeth
12.4 mi in
|
~19m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 9 mi | 12m |
| Lincoln Highway | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Middlesex Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Morris Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Harding Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| US 22 | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Vauxhall Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 9 mi, about 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Metuchen, NJ and Union, NJ.
1
Start on NJ 27
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Middlesex Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Continue on NJ 27
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Lincoln Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Take the ramp
467 ft
·
11 sec
Toward GSP Toll North
4
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
·
this road
5
Merge onto GSP
9.0 mi
·
12 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 140
Toward US 22, NJ 82: Hillside
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto US 22
158 ft
·
3 sec
·
US 22
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward NJ 82: Morris Avenue, Kean University, Elizabeth
9
Turn slight right onto NJ 82
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Morris Avenue
10
Turn slight right
507 ft
·
44 sec
11
Turn left onto NJ 82
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Morris Avenue
12
Turn right onto Harding Avenue
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
Harding Avenue
13
Turn right onto CR 630
32 ft
·
4 sec
·
Vauxhall Road
14
Turn left onto Harding Avenue
243 ft
·
10 sec
·
Harding Avenue
15
Arrive at destination
Harding Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.22 one way
$4.44 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $2.43 | $4.87 |
| premium | $4.93 | $2.60 | $5.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.96 | $5.92 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.54
Garden State Parkway
(9 mi)
$0.54
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$2
Tolls
$1
Total
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4 | 0 | $1.41 | $0.64 |
| Efficient EV | 3.4 | 0 | $1.17 | $0.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.4 | 0 | $1.88 | $0.86 |
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
Morning in Union on Friday
Local time
10:23 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
1 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
22m 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 Metuchen, NJ to Union, NJ covers 13.4 miles and takes about 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, Lincoln Highway, Middlesex 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 6.7 miles from Metuchen, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.22 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 13.4 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 3.1 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Metuchen, NJ and Union, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp Toll North, Kean University and Elizabeth.
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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