Origin
Union City, NJ
Evening in Union City on Sunday
Local time
7:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
2h 18m
Distance
107.9 mi
174 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Union City, NJ
Dajana Blakcori
If you are planning a trip from Union City to Buena, expect a straightforward journey covering 107.9 miles. This drive typically takes about 2 hours and 18 minutes, making it a manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize the New Jersey Turnpike, US 206, and 12th Street to navigate between the two points. Budgeting approximately $18 for fuel should cover your travel costs, keeping the trip budget-friendly. Because the entire route remains within the Northeast region of New Jersey, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the drive. It is a practical, efficient route for those looking to reach their destination without unnecessary detours.
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
54 miles from Union City, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 82% of your time spent on major roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm early on, tackling a longest stretch of 58.3 miles directly on the New Jersey Turnpike. Once you transition off the main interstate onto US 206 and eventually 12th Street, the pace shifts from high-speed transit to more standard roadway travel. The personality of the drive is utilitarian, prioritizing speed and connectivity over winding scenic detours. Expect a consistent, focused experience behind the wheel as you move from the urban density near Union City toward the more open, local road segments near Buena.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and US 206. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 107.9 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 1.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 8 miles (NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South: Newark
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike toward I 95 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 206: Bordentown, Trenton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward US 206 South: Joint Base MDL
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto US 206
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Between Union City, NJ and Buena, NJ, road signs point toward Trenton and Atlantic City.
Trenton
Atlantic City
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike | 58.3 mi | 1h 10m |
| US 206 | 29.8 mi | 38m |
| 12th Street | 6.5 mi | 8m |
| Main Street | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| Buena-Hammonton Road | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| Bellevue Avenue | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Blue Anchor Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| Hammonton Road | 0.7 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Union City, NJ and Buena, NJ.
Start on 45th Street
Turn left onto CR 501
Turn slight left
Take the ramp
Continue on this road
Merge onto NJ 495
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto US 206
Continue on US 206
Continue on US 206
Continue on US 206
Enter roundabout onto US 206
Continue on US 206
Continue on NJ 54
At end of road, turn left onto NJ 54
Continue on NJ 54; CR 561
Continue on NJ 54
Continue on NJ 54
Continue on NJ 54
Turn left
Arrive at destination
Since this is a relatively short 2-hour and 18-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule. You can easily complete the 107.9-mile journey in a single push without needing to plan for overnight stops. However, because the route relies heavily on the New Jersey Turnpike, keep an eye on traffic reports to avoid peak congestion times during your transit. Since you have no mandatory stops scheduled, consider fueling up before you hit the Turnpike to avoid higher service area prices. Having your payment method ready for tolls will ensure a smoother, more efficient experience as you navigate the transition from the heavy highway sections to the local roads of 12th Street.
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 80 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54 miles or 1h 7m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buena, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Union City, 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 Union City, NJ
This is one driving day of about 107.9 miles and 2h 18m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 54 mi from Union City, NJ · 1h 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
54 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 54 miles from Union City, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Buena, 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 Buena, NJ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$17.85 one way
$35.71 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $19.54 | $39.07 |
| premium | $4.92 | $20.91 | $41.82 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $23.97 | $47.94 |
Estimated Tolls: $8.16
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
$18
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.4 | 0 | $11.33 | $5.18 |
| Efficient EV | 27 | 0 | $9.44 | $4.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43.2 | 0 | $15.11 | $6.91 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Union City on Sunday
Local time
7:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Buena on Sunday
Local time
7:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
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.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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