Origin
Union, NJ
Evening in Union on Sunday
Local time
7:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Union, NJ to Ocean City, NJ
Drive Time
2h 24m
Distance
116.1 mi
187 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 14m
★
6 AM
2h 24m
8 AM
2h 44m
10 AM
2h 31m
12 PM
2h 29m
3 PM
2h 32m
5 PM
2h 43m
8 PM
2h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Union, NJ
Arjun Gheewala
Ocean City, NJ
Prathyusha Mettupalle
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick getaway from Union to Ocean City, expect a straightforward journey covering 116.1 miles. You can comfortably complete this trip in about 2 hours and 24 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. Budget roughly $19 for fuel to cover the distance, which keeps the trip cost-effective for a weekend escape. Since the route is entirely contained within New Jersey, you will remain in the Northeast corridor for the duration of your travel. While an overnight stay is always a nice option for a beach trip, the duration is short enough that you don't necessarily need to break up the drive.
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
58.1 miles from Union, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 95% of your travel spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the Garden State Parkway, including a significant 104.3-mile stretch that allows for consistent cruising. Because the route relies so heavily on high-speed roads, the drive feels efficient rather than technical, prioritizing speed over scenic detours. As you transition from the northern part of the state toward the southern coast, the road environment remains largely consistent, providing a predictable experience behind the wheel. Expect a steady, uninterrupted pace that keeps you moving toward the shore without the need for navigation through complex local networks.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 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 104.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Garden State Parkway Southbound. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 116.1 miles you will encounter 7 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.1 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward GSP Toll South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward GSP Toll South
5
1.3 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
6
16.1 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
GSP / Garden State Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
16.8 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
GSP / Garden State Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
111.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 14m in
Take the exit toward Somers Point, Ocean City
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 30
Toward Somers Point, Ocean City
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 104.3 mi | 2h 3m |
| Garden State Parkway Southbound | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| MacArthur Boulevad | 2.6 mi | 5m |
| MacArthur Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Stuyvesant Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West Laurel Drive | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Vauxhall Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Chestnut Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 104.3 mi, about 2h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union, NJ and Ocean City, 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 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto GSP
8.6 mi
·
11 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on Garden State Parkway
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Garden State Parkway Southbound
Use the none lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the none lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
95 mi
·
1 hr 50 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 30
Toward Somers Point, Ocean City
Use the slight right lane.
11
Continue on West Laurel Drive
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Laurel Drive
12
Continue on NJ 52
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
MacArthur Boulevard
Use the none lane.
13
Continue on NJ 52
2.6 mi
·
5 min
·
MacArthur Boulevad
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Arrive at destination
East 9th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 2-hour and 24-minute drive, consider timing your departure to avoid peak traffic periods on the Garden State Parkway. Since this route is a direct highway haul without any mandatory stops, you have the flexibility to power through the entire 116.1 miles in one go or pull over whenever you need a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as you will want to account for that $19 estimated cost before heading out. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to keep your E-ZPass ready, as the Parkway is a toll-heavy road that relies on electronic collection. Prioritizing an early departure will help you maximize your time in Ocean City once you arrive.
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 58.1 miles from Union, NJ, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.3 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 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.1 miles or 1h 12m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ocean City, 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 116.1 miles and 2h 24m.
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 Garden State Parkway for about 104.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.1 mi from Union, NJ · 1h 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.1 miles from Union, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Garden State Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.3 miles.
Arriving in Ocean City, NJ
The final approach into Ocean City, 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 Ocean City, 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
$19.21 one way
$38.42 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $21.02 | $42.04 |
| premium | $4.92 | $22.50 | $45.00 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $25.79 | $51.59 |
Estimated Tolls: $6.63
Garden State Parkway
(110.5 mi)
$6.63
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
$19
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.8 | 0 | $12.19 | $5.57 |
| Efficient EV | 29 | 0 | $10.16 | $4.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.4 | 0 | $16.25 | $7.43 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Ocean City, NJ
Evening in Ocean City on Sunday
Local time
7:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°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
4 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 24m 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 Ocean City, NJ covers 116.1 miles and takes about 2h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Garden State Parkway, Garden State Parkway Southbound, MacArthur Boulevad. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58.1 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 $19.21 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 116.1 miles you will encounter 7 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.1 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Union, NJ to Ocean City, NJ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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