The drive from Penns Grove, NJ to Union, NJ covers 105.4 miles and takes about 2h 11m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, I 295 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 77.6 miles on New Jersey Turnpike.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.47 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.
Midpoint
52.7 miles from Penns Grove, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 11m. Total distance: 105.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 11m highway drive covering 105.4 miles, with most of the trip on New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 77.6 miles on New Jersey Turnpike.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
New Jersey Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 77.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 105.4 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 9.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 91.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
9.4 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward US 322 East: Mullica Hill
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 11A
Toward US 322 East: Mullica Hill
7
13.3 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the exit toward NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
8
91.6 mi into trip|~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge
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 11
Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbri...
7
92 mi into trip|~1h 51m in
Keep slight right at fork toward GSP North: Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward GSP North: Garden State Parkway
8
104 mi into trip|~2h 8m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Penns Grove, NJ and Union, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike, Nj Turnpike North, New York City, Gsp and Woodbridge.
Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
13.3 mi in|~18m
Nj Turnpike North
13.5 mi in|~19m
New York City
13.5 mi in|~19m
Gsp
91.6 mi in|~1h 49m
Woodbridge
91.6 mi in|~1h 49m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
77.6 mi
1h 29m
Garden State Parkway
11.2 mi
15m
I 295
7.3 mi
8m
US 322
3.7 mi
6m
Harding Highway
1.6 mi
2m
Morris Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
East Main Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Harding Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 77.6 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Penns Grove, NJ and Union, NJ.
1
Start on CR 675
0.3 mi·48 sec·East Main Street
2
Continue on NJ 48
1.6 mi·2 min·Harding Highway
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 295 North
4
Merge onto I 295
7.3 mi·8 min·I 295
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 11AToward US 322 East: Mullica HillUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto US 322; CR 536
3.7 mi·6 min·US 322; CR 536
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward NJTP Toll: New Jersey TurnpikeUse the right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ Turnpike North, New York City
9
Merge onto NJTP
36 mi·41 min·New Jersey Turnpike
10
Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP
41 mi·47 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 11Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, WoodbridgeUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward GSP North: Garden State ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto GSP
11 mi·15 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 140Toward US 22, NJ 82: HillsideUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto US 22
158 ft·3 sec·US 22
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward NJ 82: Morris Avenue, Kean University, Elizabeth
17
Turn slight right onto NJ 82
0.1 mi·14 sec·Morris Avenue
18
Turn slight right
507 ft·44 sec
19
Turn left onto NJ 82
0.5 mi·55 sec·Morris Avenue
20
Turn right onto Harding Avenue
0.1 mi·28 sec·Harding Avenue
21
Turn right onto CR 630
32 ft·4 sec·Vauxhall Road
22
Turn left onto Harding Avenue
243 ft·10 sec·Harding Avenue
23
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 52.7 miles from Penns Grove, NJ, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.6 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 23 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.7 miles or 1h 5m 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 44m
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 Penns Grove, 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 Penns Grove, NJ
This is one driving day of about 105.4 miles and 2h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Penns Grove, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New Jersey Turnpike for about 77.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 52.7 mi from Penns Grove, NJ
· 1h 5m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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 105.4
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 101.7
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 105.4
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...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 105.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.47 one way
$34.95 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$19.14
$38.28
premium
$4.93
$20.44
$40.88
diesel
$5.61
$23.27
$46.54
Estimated Tolls: $11.53
New Jersey Turnpike
(77.6 mi)$10.86
Garden State Parkway
(11.2 mi)$0.67
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
$17
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
68 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Tesla Supercharger
Hamilton Township, New Jersey
Tesla
1 DCFC
Greenspot Charging Station
Trenton, New Jersey
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Maplewood, New Jersey
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Hamilton Township, New Jersey
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Cranbury, NJ
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Robbinsville Twp, New Jersey
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Hamilton Township, New Jersey
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Monroe Township, New Jersey
Tesla
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 38
Other: 13
Tesla: 8
EVgo: 5
Electrify America: 1
EV Connect: 1
Tesla Destination: 1
Blink: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.6
0
$11.07
$5.06
Efficient EV
26.4
0
$9.22
$4.22
EV Truck/SUV
42.2
0
$14.76
$6.75
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Penns Grove, NJ
Morning
in Penns Grove on Saturday
Local time
8:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Union, NJ
Morning
in Union on Saturday
Local time
8:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Sunny
E 2 to 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
47°F
Bristol, PA
53 mi in
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
17 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 11m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Penns Grove, NJ to Union, NJ covers 105.4 miles and takes about 2h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, I 295. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 52.7 miles from Penns Grove, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.47 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 18 significant decision points across 105.4 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 9.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 91.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Penns Grove, NJ and Union, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike, Nj Turnpike North, New York City, Gsp and Woodbridge.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
