The drive from Union, NJ to Highland Park, NJ covers 82.3 miles and takes about 1h 43m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on New Jersey Turnpike, I 295, Garden State Parkway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 55.9 miles on New Jersey Turnpike.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.64 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
41.2 miles from Union, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 1h 43m highway drive covering 82.3 miles, with most of the trip on New Jersey Turnpike and I 295. The longest continuous stretch is about 55.9 miles on New Jersey Turnpike.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 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 55.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and I 295. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.2 miles in near Exit 129.
Route Complexity10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 82.3 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 12.2 miles (Exit 129): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
12.2 mi into trip|~18m in|Exit 129
Take the exit onto Exit 129 toward I 95, NJTP, US 9, NJ 440, I 287: New York City, Philadelphia, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy
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 129
Toward I 95, NJTP, US 9, NJ 440, I 287: New Yor...
8
12.5 mi into trip|~19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Philadelphia
9
13.1 mi into trip|~20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
7
70.1 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 73 North: Camden
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 73 North: Camden
8
80.5 mi into trip|~1h 40m in|Exit 26
Take the exit onto Exit 26 toward I 76 West: Camden, Philadelphia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 26
Toward I 76 West: Camden, Philadelphia
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Union, NJ and Highland Park, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp, Philadelphia, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy, Njtp: New York City and Njtp South: Trenton - among others.
Njtp
12.2 mi in|~18m|via Exit 129
Philadelphia
12.2 mi in|~18m|via Exit 129
Woodbridge
12.2 mi in|~18m|via Exit 129
Perth Amboy
12.2 mi in|~18m|via Exit 129
Njtp: New York City
12.5 mi in|~19m
Njtp South: Trenton
13.1 mi in|~20m
Njtp South: Camden
52.8 mi in|~1h 7m|via NJTP
Wilmington
52.8 mi in|~1h 7m|via NJTP
Camden
69.7 mi in|~1h 26m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
55.9 mi
1h 4m
I 295
9.4 mi
10m
Garden State Parkway
8.6 mi
11m
Garden State Parkway Southbound
2.3 mi
3m
Exit 26
0.7 mi
<1m
Stuyvesant Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
NJ 73
0.5 mi
<1m
North-South Freeway
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 55.9 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union, NJ and Highland Park, NJ.
1
Start on Harding Avenue
243 ft·11 sec·Harding Avenue
2
Turn right onto CR 630
0.2 mi·42 sec·Vauxhall Road
3
Turn left onto CR 619
0.6 mi·1 min·Stuyvesant Avenue
4
Continue on CR 619
0.1 mi·27 sec·Chestnut Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward GSP Toll SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto GSP
8.6 mi·11 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on Garden State Parkway
2.3 mi·3 min·Garden State Parkway Southbound
8
Take the exit onto Exit 129
0.3 mi·42 sec·Exit 129
Exit 129Toward I 95, NJTP, US 9, NJ 440, I 287: New York City, Philadelphia, Woodbridge, Perth AmboyUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·57 sec
Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, PhiladelphiaUse the slight left lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: TrentonUse the slight left lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Use the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
39 mi·45 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP
17 mi·19 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Toward NJTP South: Camden, Wilmington
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·55 sec
Exit 4Toward NJ 73: Mount Laurel, Camden
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward NJ 73 North: CamdenUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto NJ 73
0.5 mi·42 sec·NJ 73
Use the slight right lane.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 295 South: Delaware Memorial Bridge
19
Merge onto I 295
9.4 mi·10 min·I 295
20
Take the exit onto Exit 26
0.7 mi·49 sec·Exit 26
Exit 26Toward I 76 West: Camden, PhiladelphiaUse the slight left / straight lanes.
21
Merge onto I 76
0.4 mi·30 sec·North-South Freeway
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 1DToward US 130 North: CollingswoodUse the slight right lane.
23
Merge onto US 130
0.2 mi·18 sec·Crescent Boulevard
24
Turn left onto Klemm Avenue
0.2 mi·39 sec·Klemm Avenue
Use the left lane.
25
Turn left onto Sylvan Avenue
0.2 mi·44 sec·Sylvan Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
Sylvan Avenue
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 41.2 miles from Union, NJ, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.9 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 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.2 miles or 53m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Highland Park, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 82.3 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Union, 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 55.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 41.2 miles from Union, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Highland Park, NJ
The final approach into Highland 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 Highland 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.
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...
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 2.8
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.64 one way
$27.29 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$14.94
$29.89
premium
$4.93
$15.96
$31.92
diesel
$5.61
$18.17
$36.34
Estimated Tolls: $8.49
New Jersey Turnpike
(55.9 mi)$7.83
Garden State Parkway
(10.9 mi)$0.66
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
$14
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.7
0
$8.64
$3.95
Efficient EV
20.6
0
$7.20
$3.29
EV Truck/SUV
32.9
0
$11.52
$5.27
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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 5 days ago
Origin
Union, NJ
Night
in Union on Tuesday
Local time
10:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Highland Park, NJ
Night
in Highland Park on Tuesday
Local time
10:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°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
1 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
1h 43m 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, NJ to Highland Park, NJ covers 82.3 miles and takes about 1h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New Jersey Turnpike, I 295, Garden State Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 41.2 miles from Union, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.64 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 22 significant decision points across 82.3 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 12.2 miles (Exit 129): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Union, NJ and Highland Park, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp, Philadelphia, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy, Njtp: New York City and Njtp South: Trenton - among others.
