Origin
Union, NJ
Late night in Union on Wednesday
Local time
2:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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Drive Time
1h 9m
Distance
45.6 mi
73 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
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, NJ
Arjun Gheewala
Ewing, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
This straightforward 45.6-mile drive from Union, NJ, to Ewing, NJ, is easily manageable in about 1 hour and 9 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. The route heavily favors highway travel, with 88% of the journey on high-speed roads, so you'll be covering ground efficiently. You'll primarily navigate via US 1, the Garden State Parkway, and I-295. With an estimated fuel cost of just $8, this trip is quite budget-friendly for a quick excursion within the Northeast region. No overnight stays are necessary, allowing for maximum flexibility in your schedule.
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
22.8 miles from Union, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 34m into the drive .
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Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 45.6-mile journey, as 88% of the route consists of high-speed roads. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 27.2 miles on US 1, which will likely feel like the backbone of the drive. While predominantly highway, be aware that transitions between roads like the Garden State Parkway and I-295 might involve more typical highway interchanges. The overall feel is one of efficient travel, designed to get you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 1 and Garden State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 45.6 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 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 11.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp toward GSP Toll South
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 1: Newark, Trenton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward US 1 South: Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Federal City Road South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Union, NJ and Ewing, NJ, road signs point toward Trenton and Federal City Road South.
Trenton
Federal City Road South
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 1 | 27.2 mi | 39m |
| Garden State Parkway | 8.6 mi | 11m |
| I 295 | 3 mi | 3m |
| Garden State Parkway Southbound | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Federal City Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Carlton Avenue | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Stuyvesant Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Pennington Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Union, NJ and Ewing, NJ.
Start on Harding Avenue
Turn right onto CR 630
Turn left onto CR 619
Continue on CR 619
Take the ramp
Merge onto GSP
Continue on Garden State Parkway
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 1
Continue on US 1
Continue on US 1
Continue on US 1
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
Continue on US 1
Take the exit
Merge onto I 295
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Federal City Road
Turn straight onto CR 636
Turn left onto NJ 31
Turn right onto Carlton Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto CR 611
Turn right
Arrive at destination
Given the short 1 hour and 9 minute duration, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You won't need to plan for extensive stops, but it's always wise to take a break if you feel tired, especially during the 27.2-mile stretch on US 1. Departing earlier in the day, perhaps before morning rush hour, can help ensure a smoother arrival. With a low fuel cost of around $8, you likely won't need to worry about refueling mid-trip, but it's good practice to start with a full tank. Keep an eye out for the transitions between US 1, the Garden State Parkway, and I-295, as these are key points to confirm you're on the right path.
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 45.6 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 22.8 miles or 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ewing, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Union, 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, NJ
This is one driving day of about 45.6 miles and 1h 9m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 22.8 mi from Union, NJ · 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 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 45.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 22.8 miles from Union, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Ewing, 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 Ewing, NJ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$7.56 one way
$15.12 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $8.28 | $16.56 |
| premium | $4.93 | $8.84 | $17.69 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.07 | $20.14 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.60
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
$8
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 16 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.7 | 0 | $4.79 | $2.19 |
| Efficient EV | 11.4 | 0 | $3.99 | $1.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.2 | 0 | $6.38 | $2.92 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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
Late night in Union on Wednesday
Local time
2:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Ewing on Wednesday
Local time
2:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°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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