Origin
Penns Grove, NJ
Afternoon in Penns Grove on Saturday
Local time
3:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Penns Grove, NJ to Union City, NJ
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 23m
Distance
115.7 mi
186 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 14m
★
6 AM
2h 24m
8 AM
2h 44m
10 AM
2h 31m
12 PM
2h 29m
3 PM
2h 32m
5 PM
2h 43m
8 PM
2h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Penns Grove, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Union City, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Penns Grove, NJ to Union City, NJ covers 115.7 miles and takes about 2h 23m 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, I 295, New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 92.6 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.18 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
57.8 miles from Penns Grove, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike | 92.6 mi | 1h 48m |
| I 295 | 7.3 mi | 8m |
| New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| US 322 | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| Harding Highway | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| John F. Kennedy Boulevard | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| NJ 495 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| East Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 92.6 mi, about 1h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Penns Grove, NJ and Union City, 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 11A
Toward US 322 East: Mullica Hill
Use 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 Turnpike
Use 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 right at fork onto NJTP
56 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 16E
Toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on NJ 495
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
·
NJ 495
14
Take the exit
263 ft
·
6 sec
Toward Kennedy Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
15
Continue on 30th Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
30th Street
16
Turn left onto CR 501
296 ft
·
16 sec
·
John F Kennedy Boulevard
17
Continue on CR 501
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
John F. Kennedy Boulevard
18
Turn right onto 47th Street
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
47th Street
19
At end of road, turn right onto Bergenline Avenue
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Bergenline Avenue
20
Turn right onto 45th Street
64 ft
·
2 sec
·
45th Street
21
Arrive at destination
45th Street
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 57.8 miles from Penns Grove, NJ, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.6 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 25 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.8 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Union City, 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 115.7 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 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 92.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
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 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 57.8 miles from Penns Grove, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before New Jersey Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 92.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 9.4 and 112.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
6
13.5 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ Turnpike North, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NJ Turnpike North, New York City
6
50.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
|
NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
112.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 17m in
Take the exit toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 16E
Toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.18 one way
$38.36 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $21.01 | $42.02 |
| premium | $4.93 | $22.44 | $44.88 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.55 | $51.09 |
Estimated Tolls: $13.83
New Jersey Turnpike
(98.8 mi)
$13.83
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
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.7 | 0 | $12.15 | $5.55 |
| Efficient EV | 28.9 | 0 | $10.12 | $4.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.3 | 0 | $16.20 | $7.40 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (65% 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 City, NJ
Afternoon in Union City on Saturday
Local time
3:50 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
2 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 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.
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
$10
near mile 107.7
View on nps.gov
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 111.7
View on nps.gov
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...
15 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 103.7
View on nps.gov
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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 99.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
115.7 mi in 2h 23m, mostly highway — 92.6 mi of that is on New Jersey Turnpike.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 92.6 mi on New Jersey Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and I 295. 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 Effort
10/10
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 15 significant decision points across 115.7 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 13.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 City, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike, Nj Turnpike North and New York City.
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
About the Cities
Arriving in Union City, NJ
Full guide →Union City is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey. Union City is a small city, roughly 1.283 square miles. It is bordered by Weehawken to the east, Jersey City to the south, North Bergen to the west and north, and West New York to the north.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 23m. Total distance: 115.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 92.6 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $13.83 in tolls one way, starting with New Jersey Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Union City, NJ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 13.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Union City, NJ before heading back.
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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