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Trip from Union City, NJ to Prospect Park, NJ

Data updated 3 hours ago

Drive Time

25m

Distance

17.1 mi

28 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$3

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 6 min
4 AM
0h 23m ★
6 AM
0h 25m
8 AM
0h 29m
10 AM
0h 27m
12 PM
0h 26m
3 PM
0h 27m
5 PM
0h 29m
8 PM
0h 24m

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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city in the northern part of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States

Union City, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Prospect Park, NJ, NJ

Prospect Park, NJ

Collis

Trip Overview

The drive from Union City, NJ to Prospect Park, NJ covers 17.1 miles and takes about 25m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on NJ 3, NJ 19, Broad Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 8.8 miles on NJ 3. At current regular gas prices, budget about $2.83 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

8.5 miles from Union City, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 11m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This is a 25m highway drive covering 17.1 miles, with most of the trip on NJ 3 and NJ 19. The longest continuous stretch is about 8.8 miles on NJ 3.

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.
NJ 3 is the longest continuous segment at about 8.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NJ 3 and NJ 19. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 17.1 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 1.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

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

7
1.3 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the exit toward NJ 3 West: Secaucus

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward NJ 3 West: Secaucus
8
1.5 mi into trip | ~3m in

Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 3 West: Clifton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward NJ 3 West: Clifton
7
10.4 mi into trip | ~14m in

Take the exit toward Broad Street, Bloomfield, Paterson

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward Broad Street, Bloomfield, Paterson
7
10.5 mi into trip | ~14m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
14.5 mi into trip | ~19m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Grand Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward Grand Street

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Union City, NJ and Prospect Park, NJ, road signs point toward Bloomfield, Paterson and Del Water Gap.

Bloomfield

10.4 mi in | ~14m

Paterson

10.4 mi in | ~14m

Del Water Gap

14.5 mi in | ~19m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
NJ 3 8.8 mi 10m
NJ 19 2.2 mi 2m
Broad Street 1.7 mi 2m
CR 650 0.9 mi 1m
Main Street 0.6 mi 1m
John F. Kennedy Boulevard 0.5 mi 1m
River Street 0.5 mi <1m
Wagaraw Boulevard 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: NJ 3 — 8.8 mi, about 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Union City, NJ and Prospect Park, 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
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

0.2 mi · 18 sec · NJ 495
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 29 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: Secaucus Use the slight right lane.
8

Keep slight left at fork

453 ft · 7 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: Clifton Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto NJ 3

8.8 mi · 10 min · NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

495 ft · 13 sec
Toward Broad Street, Bloomfield, Paterson Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

89 ft · 8 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Turn left onto CR 602

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Allwood Road
13

Turn right onto CR 509

1.7 mi · 2 min · Broad Street
Use the right lane.
14

Continue on NJ 19; CR 509

2.2 mi · 2 min · NJ 19; CR 509
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15

Take the exit

313 ft · 7 sec
Toward I 80 West: Grand Street, Del Water Gap
16

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 23 sec
Toward Grand Street Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
17

Turn right onto CR 638

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Grand Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18

Turn left onto CR 509

0.6 mi · 1 min · Main Street
Use the straight lane.
19

Turn right onto River Street

0.5 mi · 55 sec · River Street
20

Turn left onto CR 650

0.9 mi · 1 min · CR 650
21

Turn right onto Wagaraw Boulevard

0.2 mi · 55 sec · Wagaraw Boulevard
22

Arrive at destination

Wagaraw Boulevard

Trip Plan

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 8.5 miles from Union City, NJ, or about 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 8.8 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 17.1 miles or 25m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 8.5 miles or 11m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 19m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Prospect Park, 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 17.1 miles and 25m.

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 NJ 3 for about 8.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 8.5 mi from Union City, NJ · 11m into the drive

most populous city in the United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

New York City, NY

9 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

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

New York City, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 8.5 miles from Union City, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Prospect Park, NJ

The final approach into Prospect Park, 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 Prospect Park, NJ.

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Silk cloth and steam locomotives; textiles and continuous paper rolls; firearms and aircraft engines. What do these things have in common? All were manufactured in the same place - Paterson, NJ. In 17...

0 mi from route ~1 min detour Free near mile 14.7
Caution: Limited Amphitheater Accessibility
Caution: Overlook Park Parking Lot - Vehicles Must Be Parked in a Designated Spot
View on nps.gov
Thomas Edison National Historical Park

Thomas Edison National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Today, the brick buildings on Main Street in West Orange, NJ seem quiet, betraying little evidence of the research, development, and innovation of their heyday. Visitors can step back in time to Thoma...

5 mi from route ~14 min detour $10 near mile 9.4
View on nps.gov
Gateway National Recreation Area

Gateway National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...

16 mi from route ~39 min detour Free near mile 0.6
View on nps.gov
Morristown National Historical Park

Morristown National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Morristown National Historical Park commemorates the sites of General Washington and the Continental Army’s winter encampment from December 1779 to June 1780, where soldiers survived the coldest winte...

20 mi from route ~49 min detour Free near mile 10.6
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$2.83 one way

$5.67 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 6 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $3.10 $6.21
premium $4.93 $3.32 $6.63
diesel $5.61 $3.78 $7.55

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$28–$53

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 5.1 0 $1.80 $0.82
Efficient EV 4.3 0 $1.50 $0.68
EV Truck/SUV 6.8 0 $2.39 $1.09

Gas CO2

6 kg

EV CO2

2 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 3 hours ago

Origin

Union City, NJ

Night in Union City on Tuesday

Local time

10:45 PM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy

SW 6 to 12 mph 19% chance Live forecast

Destination

Prospect Park, NJ

Night in Prospect Park on Tuesday

Local time

10:45 PM

EDT

Current temp

58°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

7 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

25m 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 Union City, NJ to Prospect Park, NJ covers 17.1 miles and takes about 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are NJ 3, NJ 19, Broad 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 8.5 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 $2.83 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 17 significant decision points across 17.1 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.4 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 Prospect Park, NJ, road signs point toward Bloomfield, Paterson and Del Water Gap.

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