Origin
Ocean City, NJ
Night in Ocean City on Wednesday
Local time
9:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ocean City, NJ to Union, NJ
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 25m
Distance
116.5 mi
187 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 16m
★
6 AM
2h 26m
8 AM
2h 46m
10 AM
2h 33m
12 PM
2h 31m
3 PM
2h 34m
5 PM
2h 45m
8 PM
2h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ocean City, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Union, NJ
Arjun Gheewala
Trip Overview
This 116.5-mile drive from Ocean City, NJ, to Union, NJ, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 25 minutes. It's primarily a highway-focused route, making it an ideal day trip within the Northeast region. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Garden State Parkway. With an estimated fuel cost of just $19, this trip is quite budget-friendly. Since there are no recommended stops and the drive is relatively short, you can maintain a consistent pace and arrive at your destination without feeling rushed.
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
58.3 miles from Ocean City, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for 96% of this 116.5-mile trip. The majority of your time will be spent on the Garden State Parkway, which offers a consistent and uninterrupted stretch of 110.5 miles. This means you'll primarily be on well-maintained roads designed for steady travel. The route's profile suggests a focus on efficiency rather than scenic detours, so prepare for a drive where speed and directness are key.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 110.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and East 9th Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.2 miles in near GSP / Garden State Parkway.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 116.5 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 4.2 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.4 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
4.2 mi into trip
|
~8m 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.
6
27.4 mi into trip
|
~35m 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.
4
77.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
8
115.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m 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
115.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m 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...
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 110.5 mi | 2h 12m |
| East 9th Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| NJ 52 | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Morris Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Laurel Drive | 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
— 110.5 mi, about 2h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ocean City, NJ and Union, NJ.
1
Start on East 9th Street
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
East 9th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Continue on NJ 52
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
NJ 52
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on Laurel Drive
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Laurel Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Take the ramp
201 ft
·
4 sec
Toward GSP Toll North
5
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
this road
Toward GSP Toll North
6
Merge onto GSP
23 mi
·
26 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
50 mi
·
58 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
31 sec
9
Continue on GSP
37 mi
·
47 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 140
Toward US 22, NJ 82: Hillside
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto US 22
158 ft
·
3 sec
·
US 22
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward NJ 82: Morris Avenue, Kean University, Elizabeth
13
Turn slight right onto NJ 82
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Morris Avenue
14
Turn slight right
507 ft
·
44 sec
15
Turn left onto NJ 82
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Morris Avenue
16
Turn right onto Harding Avenue
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
Harding Avenue
17
Turn right onto CR 630
32 ft
·
4 sec
·
Vauxhall Road
18
Turn left onto Harding Avenue
243 ft
·
10 sec
·
Harding Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
Harding Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 25-minute duration and 116.5-mile distance, this is a very manageable trip, perfect for leaving at your leisure. Plan to depart when traffic is lightest, likely mid-morning or early afternoon, to maximize your time on the 110.5-mile stretch of the Garden State Parkway. With a low fuel cost of around $19, you won't need to worry excessively about refueling stops, but it's always wise to check your gauge before heading out. Consider using NJ 52 and East 9th Street for the initial and final segments of your journey.
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 58.3 miles from Ocean City, NJ, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.5 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 26 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.3 miles or 1h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 57m
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 Ocean City, 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 Ocean City, NJ
This is one driving day of about 116.5 miles and 2h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Ocean City, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 110.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.3 mi from Ocean City, NJ · 1h 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.3 miles from Ocean City, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Garden State Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 110.5 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.31 one way
$38.63 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $21.15 | $42.31 |
| premium | $4.93 | $22.59 | $45.19 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.72 | $51.44 |
Estimated Tolls: $6.63
Garden State Parkway
(110.5 mi)
$6.63
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
$19
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.9 | 0 | $12.23 | $5.59 |
| Efficient EV | 29.1 | 0 | $10.19 | $4.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.6 | 0 | $16.31 | $7.46 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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
Night in Union on Wednesday
Local time
9:33 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 25m 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 Ocean City, NJ to Union, NJ covers 116.5 miles and takes about 2h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, East 9th Street, NJ 52. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58.3 miles from Ocean City, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.31 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 12 significant decision points across 116.5 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 4.2 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.4 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Ocean City, NJ to Union, NJ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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