Origin
Rockaway, NJ
Afternoon in Rockaway on Saturday
Local time
12:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rockaway, 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
35m
Distance
24.9 mi
40 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 32m
★
6 AM
0h 35m
8 AM
0h 41m
10 AM
0h 37m
12 PM
0h 37m
3 PM
0h 38m
5 PM
0h 41m
8 PM
0h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rockaway, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Union, NJ
Arjun Gheewala
Trip Overview
This quick 24.9-mile drive from Rockaway, NJ to Union, NJ can be completed in about 35 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. You'll primarily navigate major roadways, with 54% of the journey on highways, including NJ 24 and I-287. Given the short distance and duration, no overnight stay is necessary. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $4, so it's an economical option for a quick transit. Both locations are situated in the Northeast region of the US.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 35m. Total distance: 24.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (54%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience on this route, with a significant portion, 54%, on highways. You'll encounter stretches of faster-paced driving, particularly on roads like NJ 24 and Christopher Columbus Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 9.3 miles on NJ 24, offering a period of steady progress. The profile suggests a blend of highway travel and potentially some local road segments as you approach your destination, so be prepared for shifts in traffic and speed.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
NJ 24 is the longest continuous segment at about 9.3 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 6.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 15 decision points packed into just 24.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 35m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
6.5 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit toward I 287: Morristown, Mahwah
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 43
Toward I 287: Morristown, Mahwah
9
6.7 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 287 South: Morristown, Somerville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 287 South: Morristown, Somerville
7
10.2 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward NJ 24 East: Springfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 37
Toward NJ 24 East: Springfield
7
20.6 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 78 East Local: Newark
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 78 East Local: Newark
7
21.8 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward NJ 124 East: Maplewood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 49B
Toward NJ 124 East: Maplewood
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Rockaway, NJ and Union, NJ, road signs point toward Mahwah, Somerville, New York City and Newark.
Mahwah
6.5 mi in
|
~8m
Somerville
6.7 mi in
|
~8m
New York City
20.3 mi in
|
~25m
Newark
20.3 mi in
|
~25m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NJ 24 | 9.3 mi | 10m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 5.4 mi | 6m |
| I 287 | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Vauxhall Road | 2 mi | 5m |
| Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Springfield Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Church Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Hibernia Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
NJ 24
— 9.3 mi, about 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rockaway, NJ and Union, NJ.
1
Start on this road
46 ft
·
8 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto CR 513
137 ft
·
7 sec
·
West Main Street
3
Turn left onto CR 513
337 ft
·
5 sec
·
Wall Street
4
Turn right onto CR 513
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
Church Street
5
Continue on CR 513
491 ft
·
10 sec
·
Halsey Avenue
6
Continue on CR 513
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Hibernia Avenue
7
Keep slight right at fork onto Hibernia Avenue
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Hibernia Avenue
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 80 East
9
Merge onto I 80
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 43
Toward I 287: Morristown, Mahwah
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 287 South: Morristown, Somerville
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 287
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
I 287
13
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 37
Toward NJ 24 East: Springfield
Use the slight right lane.
14
Continue on NJ 24
9.3 mi
·
10 min
·
NJ 24
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I 78 East: Holland Tunnel, New York City, Newark
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Toward I 78 East Local: Newark
Use the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto I 78
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 49B
Toward NJ 124 East: Maplewood
Use the slight right lane.
19
Turn straight onto NJ 124
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Springfield Avenue
20
Turn right onto CR 630
2.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Vauxhall Road
21
Turn left onto Harding Avenue
243 ft
·
10 sec
·
Harding Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
Harding Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.13 one way
$8.26 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
9 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $4.52 | $9.04 |
| premium | $4.93 | $4.83 | $9.66 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.50 | $11.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.5 | 0 | $2.61 | $1.20 |
| Efficient EV | 6.2 | 0 | $2.18 | $1.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10 | 0 | $3.49 | $1.59 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 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.
Destination
Union, NJ
Afternoon in Union on Saturday
Local time
12:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Sunny
E 2 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
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
24 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
35m 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 Rockaway, NJ to Union, NJ covers 24.9 miles and takes about 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are NJ 24, Christopher Columbus Highway, I 287. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 12.5 miles from Rockaway, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.13 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 short but busy drive. With 15 decision points packed into just 24.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 35m.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Rockaway, NJ and Union, NJ, road signs point toward Mahwah, Somerville, New York City and Newark.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Morristown National Historical Park, Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. There are 5 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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