Trip from Union City, NJ to Buena, NJ

Drive 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

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 9m ★
6 AM
2h 19m
8 AM
2h 38m
10 AM
2h 25m
12 PM
2h 24m
3 PM
2h 26m
5 PM
2h 37m
8 PM
2h 13m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Union City, NJ, NJ

Union City, NJ

Dajana Blakcori

Trip Overview

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 .

Drive Character

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.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
New Jersey Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 58.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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.

Route Complexity 9/10

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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
1.8 mi into trip | ~3m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South: Newark

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane. Toward I 95 South: Newark
7
8 mi into trip | ~12m in | NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike

Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike toward I 95 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 South
8
60.7 mi into trip | ~1h 15m in

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 7 Toward US 206: Bordentown, Trenton
7
61.4 mi into trip | ~1h 17m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 206 South: Joint Base MDL

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward US 206 South: Joint Base MDL
6
61.7 mi into trip | ~1h 17m in | US 206

Merge onto US 206

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

Towns Along This Route

Between Union City, NJ and Buena, NJ, road signs point toward Trenton and Atlantic City.

Trenton

60.7 mi in | ~1h 15m

Atlantic City

78.4 mi in | ~1h 39m | via US 206

Main Roads

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
Longest stretch: New Jersey Turnpike — 58.3 mi, about 1h 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Union City, NJ and Buena, NJ.

1

Start on 45th Street

0.1 mi · 33 sec · 45th Street
2

Turn left onto CR 501

0.5 mi · 1 min · John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Use the none lane.
3

Turn slight left

0.1 mi · 26 sec
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward NJ 495 West, NJTP West
5

Continue on this road

374 ft · 11 sec · this road
Toward NJ 495 West
6

Merge onto NJ 495

0.7 mi · 1 min · NJ 495
Use the none lane.
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 95 South: Newark Use the none lane.
8

Merge onto I 95

5.6 mi · 7 min · New Jersey Turnpike
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP

53 mi · 1 hr 2 min · New Jersey Turnpike
Toward I 95 South Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 7 Toward US 206: Bordentown, Trenton Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward US 206 South: Joint Base MDL Use the slight left lane.
12

Merge onto US 206

0.2 mi · 12 sec · US 206
Use the none lane.
13

Continue on US 206

7.5 mi · 8 min · US 206
Use the none lane.
14

Continue on US 206

4.5 mi · 5 min · US 206
Use the straight lane.
15

Continue on US 206

4.5 mi · 6 min · Main Street
16

Enter roundabout onto US 206

486 ft · 6 sec · US 206
Toward US 206 South: Hammonton, Atlantic City
17

Continue on US 206

18 mi · 23 min · US 206
Toward US 206 South: Hammonton, Atlantic City Use the left / none lanes.
18

Continue on NJ 54

501 ft · 11 sec · Bellevue Avenue/END Route 54
Use the straight lane.
19

At end of road, turn left onto NJ 54

1.1 mi · 2 min · Bellevue Avenue
20

Continue on NJ 54; CR 561

6.5 mi · 8 min · 12th Street
21

Continue on NJ 54

2.3 mi · 2 min · Buena-Hammonton Road
22

Continue on NJ 54

0.7 mi · 52 sec · Hammonton Road
23

Continue on NJ 54

1.0 mi · 1 min · Blue Anchor Road
24

Turn left

189 ft · 16 sec
25

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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.

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 54 miles from Union City, NJ, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.3 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 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.

Before You Leave

+

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.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Union City, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on New Jersey Turnpike for about 58.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Staten Island, NY

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Staten Island, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 54 miles from Union City, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Buena, NJ

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.85 one way

$35.71 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 38 kg CO2
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

New Jersey Turnpike (58.3 mi) $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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Union City, NJ

Evening in Union City on Sunday

Local time

7:11 PM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Buena, NJ

Evening in Buena on Sunday

Local time

7:11 PM

EDT

Current temp

83°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

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

2h 18m 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 Union City, NJ to Buena, NJ covers 107.9 miles and takes about 2h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New Jersey Turnpike, US 206, 12th Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 54 miles from Union City, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.85 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 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.
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.
Between Union City, NJ and Buena, NJ, road signs point toward Trenton and Atlantic City.

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