The drive from Union, NJ to Washington, NJ covers 91.5 miles and takes about 2h 12m 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, CR 563, US 206 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 36.7 miles on New Jersey Turnpike.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.17 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.
Midpoint
45.7 miles from Union, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 58m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 12m. Total distance: 91.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 12m highway drive covering 91.5 miles, with most of the trip on New Jersey Turnpike and CR 563. The longest continuous stretch is about 36.7 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 28 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 36.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and CR 563. 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.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 91.5 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 18 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
8
50.5 mi into trip|~1h 4m in
Take the exit toward US 206: Bordentown, Trenton
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 7
Toward US 206: Bordentown, Trenton
7
51.2 mi into trip|~1h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 206 South: Joint Base MDL
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 206 South: Joint Base MDL
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 Washington, 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
Trenton
50.5 mi in|~1h 4m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
36.7 mi
42m
CR 563
13 mi
19m
US 206
10.9 mi
12m
Garden State Parkway
8.6 mi
11m
Magnolia Road
6.8 mi
11m
NJ 72
3.6 mi
4m
Garden State Parkway Southbound
2.3 mi
3m
South Pemberton Road
2.1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 36.7 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union, NJ and Washington, 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
37 mi·42 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 7Toward US 206: Bordentown, TrentonUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 206 South: Joint Base MDLUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto US 206
0.2 mi·12 sec·US 206
17
Continue on US 206
7.5 mi·8 min·US 206
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 206
3.2 mi·3 min·US 206
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn left onto CR 530
2.1 mi·3 min·South Pemberton Road
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on CR 530
0.6 mi·1 min·West Hampton Street
21
Continue on CR 530
0.2 mi·24 sec·Pemberton Bypass
22
Turn right onto CR 644
6.8 mi·11 min·Magnolia Road
23
Enter roundabout onto NJ 72
492 ft·6 sec·NJ 72
Toward NJ 72 East: Barnegat
24
Continue on NJ 72
3.5 mi·4 min·NJ 72
Toward NJ 72 East: Barnegat
25
Turn right onto CR 563
13 mi·19 min·CR 563
26
Turn right onto Godfrey Bridge Road
1.5 mi·5 min·Godfrey Bridge Road
27
Continue on Washington Turnpike
1.4 mi·5 min·Washington Turnpike
28
Arrive at destination
Washington Turnpike
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 45.7 miles from Union, NJ, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.7 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 20 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.7 miles or 58m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washington, 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 91.5 miles and 2h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Union, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New Jersey Turnpike for about 36.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 45.7 miles from Union, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Washington, NJ
The final approach into Washington, 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 Washington, 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 3.2
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
$15.17 one way
$30.34 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$16.61
$33.23
premium
$4.93
$17.75
$35.49
diesel
$5.61
$20.20
$40.40
Estimated Tolls: $5.90
New Jersey Turnpike
(36.7 mi)$5.14
Garden State Parkway
(10.9 mi)$0.66
Washington Turnpike
(1.4 mi)$0.10
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
$15
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.5
0
$9.61
$4.39
Efficient EV
22.9
0
$8.01
$3.66
EV Truck/SUV
36.6
0
$12.81
$5.86
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Union, NJ
Night
in Union on Friday
Local time
10:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Washington, NJ
Night
in Washington on Friday
Local time
10:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
47°F
Bristol, PA
46 mi in
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
11 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 12m 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 Washington, NJ covers 91.5 miles and takes about 2h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New Jersey Turnpike, CR 563, US 206. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 45.7 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 $15.17 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 18 significant decision points across 91.5 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 Washington, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp, Philadelphia, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy, Njtp: New York City and Njtp South: Trenton - among others.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Morristown National Historical Park and Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
