Drive Time
27m
Distance
16 mi
26 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
Photo: Arjun Gheewala
The drive from Port Reading, NJ to Union, NJ covers 16 miles and takes about 27m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 2nd Avenue, Port Reading Avenue, Rahway Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $2.65 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
8 miles from Port Reading, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 13m into the drive .
Expect a 27m drive with frequent turns across 16 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Port Reading, NJ to Union, NJ is easy. At 27m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Port Reading, NJ to Union, NJ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Port Reading Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Rahway Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Green Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Amboy Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Saint Georges Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Stiles Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Stiles Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Port Reading, NJ and Union, NJ.
Start on Langford Avenue
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue
Turn right onto Port Reading Avenue
At the end of the road, turn left onto Rahway Avenue
Turn right onto Green Street
Turn right onto Amboy Avenue
Continue on Saint Georges Avenue
Turn left onto North Stiles Street
Turn right onto Stiles Street
Continue on Centennial Avenue
Take the ramp slight right toward GSP Toll North
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
Take the exit slight right toward US 22, NJ 82: Hillside
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward NJ 82: Morris Avenue, Kean University, Elizabeth
Turn slight right onto Morris Avenue
Turn slight right
Turn left onto Morris Avenue
Turn right onto Harding Avenue
Turn right onto Vauxhall Road
Turn left onto Harding Avenue
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 16 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8 miles or 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Union, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Port Reading, 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 Port Reading, NJ
This is one driving day of about 16 miles and 27m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8 mi from Port Reading, NJ · 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
8 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.
A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 8 miles from Port Reading, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$2.65 one way
$5.30 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $2.90 | $5.79 |
| premium | $4.92 | $3.10 | $6.20 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.55 | $7.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.8 | 0 | $1.68 | $0.77 |
| Efficient EV | 4 | 0 | $1.40 | $0.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.4 | 0 | $2.24 | $1.02 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Port Reading on Saturday
Local time
7:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Union on Saturday
Local time
7:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
59°F
Staten Island, NY
8 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Port Reading, NJ or browse trips ending in Union, NJ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NJ road trips.
Explore maps for Port Reading, NJ or Union, NJ on MapSof.net.
