Origin
Prospect Park, NJ
Morning in Prospect Park on Saturday
Local time
11:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Prospect Park, NJ to Union, NJ
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 9m
Distance
45.8 mi
74 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 4m
★
6 AM
1h 10m
8 AM
1h 21m
10 AM
1h 14m
12 PM
1h 13m
3 PM
1h 14m
5 PM
1h 21m
8 PM
1h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Prospect Park, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Union, NJ
Arjun Gheewala
Trip Overview
The drive from Prospect Park, NJ to Union, NJ covers 45.8 miles and takes about 1h 9m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Brunswick Pike, US 1, Garden State Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 16.8 miles on Brunswick Pike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.59 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 9m. Total distance: 45.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (55%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Prospect Park, NJ to Union, NJ covers 45.8 miles and takes about 1h 9m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Brunswick Pike is the longest continuous segment at about 16.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near CR 622 / Olden Avenue.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 45.8 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (CR 622 / Olden Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 23.2 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.3 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
CR 622 / Olden Avenue
Turn right onto CR 622 / Olden Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
23.2 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
US 1
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
23.3 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
US 1
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1 toward Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|New...
7
23.4 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
US 1
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
44.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m 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 Prospect Park, NJ and Union, NJ, road signs point toward Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|Newark and New Brunswick.
Newark|Newark
23.3 mi in
|
~35m
|
via US 1
Camden
23.3 mi in
|
~35m
|
via US 1
New Brunswick|Newark
23.3 mi in
|
~35m
|
via US 1
New Brunswick
23.3 mi in
|
~35m
|
via US 1
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Brunswick Pike | 16.8 mi | 24m |
| US 1 | 14.7 mi | 21m |
| Garden State Parkway | 10.5 mi | 14m |
| Olden Avenue | 1 mi | 1m |
| Morris Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Brunswick Avenue | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Prospect Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Harding Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Brunswick Pike
— 16.8 mi, about 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Prospect Park, NJ and Union, NJ.
1
Start on Weber Avenue
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Weber Avenue
2
Turn right onto CR 627
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Prospect Street
3
Turn right onto CR 622
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Olden Avenue
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn left onto US 206
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
·
Brunswick Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Enter roundabout onto US 1 Business
299 ft
·
10 sec
·
Brunswick Pike
6
Continue on US 1 Business
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Brunswick Pike
7
Enter roundabout onto US 1 Business
123 ft
·
2 sec
·
Brunswick Pike
8
Continue on US 1 Business
16 mi
·
22 min
·
Brunswick Pike
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 1; CR 610
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
US 1; CR 610
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
504 ft
·
7 sec
·
US 1
Toward Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
366 ft
·
5 sec
·
US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
US 1
14
Continue on US 1
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 1
15
Continue on US 1
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 1
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 1
Use the right lane.
17
Continue on US 1
5.9 mi
·
9 min
·
US 1
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward GSP Toll North: Garden State Parkway
19
Merge onto GSP
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 140
Toward US 22, NJ 82: Hillside
Use the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto US 22
158 ft
·
3 sec
·
US 22
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward NJ 82: Morris Avenue, Kean University, Elizabeth
23
Turn slight right onto NJ 82
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Morris Avenue
24
Turn slight right
507 ft
·
44 sec
25
Turn left onto NJ 82
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Morris Avenue
26
Turn right onto Harding Avenue
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
Harding Avenue
27
Turn right onto CR 630
32 ft
·
4 sec
·
Vauxhall Road
28
Turn left onto Harding Avenue
243 ft
·
10 sec
·
Harding Avenue
29
Arrive at destination
Harding Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 22.9 mi from Prospect Park, NJ · 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 22.9 miles from Prospect Park, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.59 one way
$15.19 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $8.32 | $16.63 |
| premium | $4.93 | $8.88 | $17.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.11 | $20.22 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.63
Garden State Parkway
(10.5 mi)
$0.63
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Tolls
$1
Total
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 16 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.7 | 0 | $4.81 | $2.20 |
| Efficient EV | 11.5 | 0 | $4.01 | $1.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.3 | 0 | $6.41 | $2.93 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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
Morning in Union on Saturday
Local time
11:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
63°F
Edison, NJ
23 mi in
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
25 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
1h 9m 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 Prospect Park, NJ to Union, NJ covers 45.8 miles and takes about 1h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Brunswick Pike, US 1, Garden State Parkway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 22.9 miles from Prospect Park, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.59 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 45.8 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (CR 622 / Olden Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 23.2 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.3 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Prospect Park, NJ and Union, NJ, road signs point toward Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|Newark and New Brunswick.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Morristown National Historical Park and Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
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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