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Trip from Middletown, NJ to Union, NJ

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 33m

Distance

123.3 mi

199 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

43 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 23m ★
6 AM
2h 33m
8 AM
2h 54m
10 AM
2h 40m
12 PM
2h 38m
3 PM
2h 41m
5 PM
2h 53m
8 PM
2h 27m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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township in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States

Middletown, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Union, NJ, NJ

Union, NJ

Arjun Gheewala

Trip Overview

The drive from Middletown, NJ to Union, NJ covers 123.3 miles and takes about 2h 33m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Garden State Parkway, CR 631, West Roosevelt Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 115.1 miles on Garden State Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.44 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

61.7 miles from Middletown, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 33m. Total distance: 123.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 33m highway drive covering 123.3 miles, with most of the trip on Garden State Parkway and CR 631. The longest continuous stretch is about 115.1 miles on Garden State Parkway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 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 115.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and CR 631. 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 50.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 123.3 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: near the start (NJ 50): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (CR 631): Lane positioning matters here; at 34.2 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | NJ 50

Turn left onto NJ 50

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
0.4 mi into trip | ~0m in | CR 631

Turn left onto CR 631

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
34.2 mi into trip | ~42m in | GSP / Garden State Parkway

Keep slight left at fork onto GSP / Garden State Parkway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
8
122 mi into trip | ~2h 29m 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
122.3 mi into trip | ~2h 30m 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.

On the drive from Middletown, NJ to Union, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Gsp along the way.

Gsp

6.2 mi in | ~10m | via GSP Northbound entrance

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Garden State Parkway 115.1 mi 2h 18m
CR 631 4.9 mi 7m
West Roosevelt Boulevard 0.6 mi 1m
Morris Avenue 0.6 mi 1m
NJ 50 0.3 mi <1m
GSP Northbound entrance 0.3 mi <1m
Old Tuckahoe Road 0.2 mi <1m
Harding Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Garden State Parkway — 115.1 mi, about 2h 18m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Middletown, NJ and Union, NJ.

1

Start on Washington Avenue

55 ft · 5 sec · Washington Avenue
2

Turn left onto NJ 50

0.3 mi · 35 sec · NJ 50
Use the left lane.
3

Turn left onto CR 631

4.9 mi · 7 min · CR 631
Use the left lane.
4

Turn straight onto CR 662

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Old Tuckahoe Road
5

Turn straight onto CR 623

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Roosevelt Boulevard
6

Take the ramp

253 ft · 6 sec
Toward GSP Toll North, US 9 Toll North
7

Continue on GSP Northbound entrance

0.3 mi · 32 sec · GSP Northbound entrance
Toward GSP, US 9 North
8

Merge onto US 9; GSP

28 mi · 32 min · Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto GSP

50 mi · 58 min · Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 31 sec
11

Continue on GSP

37 mi · 47 min · Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Exit 140 Toward US 22, NJ 82: Hillside Use the slight right lane.
13

Merge onto US 22

158 ft · 3 sec · US 22
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward NJ 82: Morris Avenue, Kean University, Elizabeth
15

Turn slight right onto NJ 82

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Morris Avenue
16

Turn slight right

507 ft · 44 sec
17

Turn left onto NJ 82

0.5 mi · 55 sec · Morris Avenue
18

Turn right onto Harding Avenue

0.1 mi · 28 sec · Harding Avenue
19

Turn right onto CR 630

32 ft · 4 sec · Vauxhall Road
20

Turn left onto Harding Avenue

243 ft · 10 sec · Harding Avenue
21

Arrive at destination

Harding Avenue

Trip Plan

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 61.7 miles from Middletown, NJ, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.1 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 27 miles or 34m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 61.7 miles or 1h 15m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 2m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Union, NJ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Middletown, 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 Middletown, NJ

This is one driving day of about 123.3 miles and 2h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Middletown, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 115.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 61.7 mi from Middletown, NJ · 1h 15m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

62 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

Pleasantville, NJ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Toms River, NJ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 61.7 miles from Middletown, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Garden State Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 115.1 miles.

Arriving in Union, NJ

The final approach into Union, 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, NJ.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Thomas Edison National Historical Park

Thomas Edison National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Today, the brick buildings on Main Street in West Orange, NJ seem quiet, betraying little evidence of the research, development, and innovation of their heyday. Visitors can step back in time to Thoma...

6 mi from route ~16 min detour $10 near mile 123.3
Park Closure: Glenmont Mansion and Grounds Closed
View on nps.gov
Morristown National Historical Park

Morristown National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Morristown National Historical Park commemorates the sites of General Washington and the Continental Army’s winter encampment from December 1779 to June 1780, where soldiers survived the coldest winte...

15 mi from route ~37 min detour Free near mile 123.3
View on nps.gov
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Silk cloth and steam locomotives; textiles and continuous paper rolls; firearms and aircraft engines. What do these things have in common? All were manufactured in the same place - Paterson, NJ. In 17...

16 mi from route ~39 min detour Free near mile 123.3
View on nps.gov
Gateway National Recreation Area

Gateway National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...

18 mi from route ~45 min detour Free near mile 93.6
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.44 one way

$40.88 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 43 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $22.39 $44.78
premium $4.93 $23.91 $47.82
diesel $5.61 $27.22 $54.45

Estimated Tolls: $6.91

Garden State Parkway (115.1 mi) $6.91

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

$20

Tolls

$7

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 43.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

43 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

ChargePoint Charging Station

Lakewood, New Jersey

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Maplewood, New Jersey

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Rivian Adventure Network

Tinton Falls, New Jersey

Rivian

1 DCFC

EVgo Charging Station

Plainfield, New Jersey

EVgo

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Union, New Jersey

Tesla

1 DCFC

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

Union, New Jersey

Other

1 DCFC

EVgo Charging Station

Clark, New Jersey

EVgo

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Union, New Jersey

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint: 28 EVgo: 7 Other: 4 Rivian: 1 Tesla: 1 Electrify America: 1 EV Connect: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 37 0 $12.95 $5.92
Efficient EV 30.8 0 $10.79 $4.93
EV Truck/SUV 49.3 0 $17.26 $7.89

Gas CO2

43 kg

EV CO2

14 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Middletown, NJ

Afternoon in Middletown on Thursday

Local time

4:55 PM

EDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Union, NJ

Afternoon in Union on Thursday

Local time

4:55 PM

EDT

Current temp

47°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

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

2h 33m 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 Middletown, NJ to Union, NJ covers 123.3 miles and takes about 2h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, CR 631, West Roosevelt Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 61.7 miles from Middletown, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.44 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 123.3 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: near the start (NJ 50): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (CR 631): Lane positioning matters here; at 34.2 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Middletown, NJ to Union, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Gsp along the way.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Union, NJ to Middletown, NJ

Plan the drive back the other way.

122.7 mi 2h 30m

Continue From Union, NJ

Cape May Court House, NJ 132.7 mi · 2h 39m Ocean City, NJ 116.1 mi · 2h 24m Harding, NJ 97.1 mi · 2h 2m Jefferson, NJ 95.8 mi · 1h 59m

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Jersey City, NJ 130 mi · 2h 42m Trenton, NJ 75.1 mi · 1h 44m

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