Trip from Union City, NJ to Cedar Grove, NJ

Drive Time

2h 52m

Distance

140.1 mi

226 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min

4 AM

2h 42m ★

6 AM

2h 53m

8 AM

3h 15m

10 AM

3h 1m

12 PM

2h 58m

3 PM

3h 2m

5 PM

3h 14m

8 PM

2h 46m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Union City, NJ

Dajana Blakcori

Cedar Grove, NJ

Moussa Idrissi

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Union City to Cedar Grove, you are looking at a 140.1-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 52 minutes. Because this is a compact trip within the Northeast region, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You will primarily navigate via the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, and Shore Road. Budgeting around $23 for fuel should cover your travel costs, making this an affordable transit between these two New Jersey locations. Given the duration and distance, you won't need to worry about overnight lodging, allowing you to complete the drive comfortably in one go.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

70.1 miles from Union City, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a high-speed experience, as 96% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major corridors, including a significant 111.4-mile stretch along the Garden State Parkway. While the route is highway-focused, the transition between the Turnpike and local connections keeps the drive moving efficiently. You should prepare for a consistent, fast-paced rhythm behind the wheel rather than a slow, winding tour. This is a straightforward path that prioritizes speed and directness over technical, back-road navigation.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Garden State Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 111.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike. 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 16 significant decision points across 140.1 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 22.8 miles (Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

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

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

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

22.8 mi into trip | ~31m in | Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9

Take the exit onto Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9 toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge

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 11 Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbri...

24.2 mi into trip | ~34m in

Keep slight left at fork toward GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Pa...

136.3 mi into trip | ~2h 45m in | GSP SB Exit 17

Take the exit onto GSP SB Exit 17 toward Sea Isle City, Dennis Township

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / right lanes. Exit 17 Toward Sea Isle City, Dennis Township

Towns Along This Route

Between Union City, NJ and Cedar Grove, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp, Woodbridge, Gsp South and Perth Amboy.

Gsp

22.8 mi in | ~31m | via Exit 11

Woodbridge

22.8 mi in | ~31m | via Exit 11

Gsp South

24.2 mi in | ~34m

Perth Amboy

24.2 mi in | ~34m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Garden State Parkway	111.4 mi	2h 9m
New Jersey Turnpike	20.4 mi	26m
Shore Road	2.3 mi	3m
Exit to GSP and US Route 9	1.4 mi	2m
NJ 495	0.7 mi	1m
Kings Highway	0.7 mi	1m
John F. Kennedy Boulevard	0.5 mi	1m
GSP Southbound entrance	0.5 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Garden State Parkway — 111.4 mi, about 2h 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on 45th Street

0.1 mi · 33 sec · 45th Street

Turn left onto CR 501

0.5 mi · 1 min · John F. Kennedy Boulevard

Use the none lane.

Turn slight left

0.1 mi · 26 sec

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Toward NJ 495 West, NJTP West

Continue on this road

374 ft · 11 sec · this road

Toward NJ 495 West

Merge onto NJ 495

0.7 mi · 1 min · NJ 495

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 95 South: Newark Use the none lane.

Merge onto I 95

5.6 mi · 7 min · New Jersey Turnpike

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP

15 mi · 18 min · New Jersey Turnpike

Toward I 95 South Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto Exit 11

1.4 mi · 2 min · Exit to GSP and US Route 9

Exit 11 Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Toward GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto GSP Southbound entrance

0.5 mi · 1 min · GSP Southbound entrance

Toward GSP South: Garden State Parkway Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto GSP

3.0 mi · 3 min · Garden State Parkway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto GSP

0.7 mi · 49 sec · Garden State Parkway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto GSP

108 mi · 2 hr 5 min · Garden State Parkway

Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto GSP SB Exit 17

0.2 mi · 29 sec · GSP SB Exit 17

Exit 17 Toward Sea Isle City, Dennis Township Use the straight / right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

210 ft · 10 sec

Turn left onto CR 625

0.3 mi · 35 sec · Sea Isle Boulevard

Turn left onto US 9

2.3 mi · 3 min · Shore Road

Turn right onto NJ 83

0.2 mi · 18 sec · Trooper Bertram T. Zimmerman III Memorial Highway

Turn slight right onto CR 608

0.7 mi · 1 min · Kings Highway

Arrive at destination

CR 608

Trip Plan

To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the 2-hour and 52-minute duration. Since you are spending nearly the entire trip on highways, check traffic reports for the Garden State Parkway before you head out to avoid potential congestion on its longest segments. Being that this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, though avoiding peak commuting hours is always a smart move. Keep your $23 fuel budget in mind as you plan your stops along the route. Focus on staying alert during the long 111.4-mile Parkway stretch to ensure a safe arrival in Cedar Grove.

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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 70.1 miles from Union City, NJ, or about 1h 28m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.4 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 40m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 70.1 miles or 1h 28m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 20m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cedar Grove, 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 140.1 miles and 2h 52m.

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.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 111.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 70.1 mi from Union City, NJ · 1h 28m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

70 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 70.1 miles from Union City, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Garden State Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.4 miles.

Arriving in Cedar Grove, NJ

The final approach into Cedar Grove, 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 Cedar Grove, NJ.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.18 one way

$46.37 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 49 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.60	$25.37	$50.73
premium	$4.92	$27.15	$54.30
diesel	$5.64	$31.13	$62.25

Estimated Tolls: $9.53

Garden State Parkway (111.4 mi) $6.68

New Jersey Turnpike (20.4 mi) $2.85

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

$23

Tolls

$10

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 49 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	42	$14.71	$6.72
Efficient EV	35	$12.26	$5.60
EV Truck/SUV	56	$19.61	$8.97

Gas CO2

49 kg

EV CO2

16 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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Union City, NJ

Night in Union City on Sunday

Local time

10:56 PM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cedar Grove, NJ

Night in Cedar Grove on Sunday

Local time

10:56 PM

EDT

Current temp

54°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

5 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

2h 52m 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 Cedar Grove, NJ covers 140.1 miles and takes about 2h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike, Shore Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 70.1 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 $23.18 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.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Between Union City, NJ and Cedar Grove, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp, Woodbridge, Gsp South and Perth Amboy.

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Trip from Union City, NJ to Cedar Grove, NJ

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Cedar Grove, NJ

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Union City, NJ

Cedar Grove, NJ

Same local time

5 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 52m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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